Nothing stops the Southern Cross Care Village residents wielding their paintbrushes! Although our QUE members have been unable to go into the village during lockdowns, the art program has soldiered on as the residents experience so much well-being and enjoyment from the sessions.
QUE members and local artists Robyn Morrissey and Karen Ritchie did all the preparation work to ensure the residents don’t miss their art. For one art work the residents painted the flowers drawn by Robyn. The village’s Lifestyle Coordinator Maree Hando supervised the residents while they painted the flowers. The flowers were then returned to Robyn who cut them out and displayed them on the canvas which she had prepared.
Staff at Southern Cross Care were so impressed with the final result, they sent photos to their head office in Sydney. The story will be published on Southern Cross Care’s website and social media.
The program originated in July 2010 with the help of two local artists, Elsie Mahon and Robyn Morrissey. In 2013 the QUE Club started financing the program and provided volunteers to assist the residents with their artwork. CMOC-Northparkes Mines also recognised the value of this work and have given us an annual grant to cover the costs of canvases, paints, brushes and more.
Many of the completed artworks are displayed throughout the village complex and enjoyed by residents and visitors alike. Members of our club look forward to the time when they can return to the village and spend ‘art time’ with the residents.
If you are interested in the community work we do, why not ‘join the QUE’! You can contact us through our Facebook page, Parkes Que Club Inc, or email us at parkesqueclub@gmail.com.
By Lynn Rogers