Alexandra Gardens residents join forces with Coles and Hummingbird House to make a difference

Residents have been using their creative skills for good, donating hundreds of their knitted teddy bears for the 2024 Coles Appeal.

The bears are sold for $4 each at the local Coles stores, and all funds will go to Hummingbird House, a charity that supports families and children living with life-limiting conditions.

To date, residents have donated over 180 bears to the appeal and they take great pride that their efforts are helping families make every moment precious, when time is short.

As Queensland’s only children’s hospice, Hummingbird House provides specialised paediatric palliative care services to over 5,700 babies, children and young people, giving families a home away from home.

Alexandra Gardens residents have been knitting bears for the last several years and love getting together to knit, sew them up and add faces or other special finishing touches. In addition to the bears donated for the Coles Appeal, they recently donated 200 bears to the Ambulance Services and have given many more to the women’s shelter and local hospitals.

The bears are a colourful reminder of the difference individuals can make.

To find out more about our welcoming community, call our friendly admissions team on (07) 4999 3000 or email infoAG@prescare.org.au.

Lily joined Alexandra Gardens three months ago and is enjoying making a difference in our community every day.

What do you love most about your role?

I enjoy being a helping hand for those who have lived their lives with dedication. Also, I spend a lot of time away from my parents and I miss them. The residents at Alexandra Gardens remind me of my parents, making me feel at home.

What is your favourite part of a day?

I love helping the residents prepare for bed. They make me feel comfy and I like to make them comfortable too. It’s a special time where I can share my stories and listen to their stories about their families or when they were young.

Why do you think PresCare Alexandra Gardens feels like home?

Every team member treats the residents like family or friends here, which is so lovely to see. We all work together to make this community welcoming and homely, so residents feel they belong.

What inspired you to pursue a career in aged care?

Working in aged care gives me a sense of purpose and meaning. Knowing that I am making a resident’s day better is deeply rewarding.

What would you say to other people considering working in aged care?

I strongly recommend it. The satisfaction, sense of accomplishment, and happiness it brings me makes it so worthwhile.

To find out more about our welcoming community, call our friendly admissions team on (07) 4999 3000 or email infoAG@prescare.org.au.

Some residents were keen to visit the local discount store, so we climbed into our Alexandra Gardens bus and went for a shopping trip!

The bus was full of energy and excitement as they discussed what they wanted to look at and buy.

Amazed at all the products on offer, some knew exactly what they wanted, while others took their time trawling down every aisle with their baskets, looking for that special something.

They walked away with wool for crafting, pictures and calendars to hang in their rooms, toiletries, ornaments, flowers and storage containers. They couldn’t resist a few lollies, either!  

To find out more about our community, please contact our friendly team by calling

(07) 4999 3000 or emailing infoAG@prescare.org.au

Faith joined us in 2022 from Abu Dhabi, after growing up and training in the Philippines. Inspired by her close relationship with her grandparents, she loves taking care of residents, treating them like her own family.

Why did you choose Nursing in aged care over a hospital setting?

Some of my fondest memories are of my grandparents taking care of me and my sister. I first became a Nurse so that I could eventually take care of them. Here, I love making a difference to residents and making them happy. They always comment when I have something bright on, so I wear things just to make them smile.

How would you describe Alexandra Gardens?

We’re one big family! We’re like siblings who work together to put the needs of residents first. I feel so incredibly lucky to work here.

How are you supported by your leadership team?

We have a great leadership structure, with very open and honest communication. When I first arrived, Sandra was very flexible and accommodating as I continued my studies to retrain as a Registered Nurse in Australia.

How are you supported by Apollo Care?

The Apollo Care systems make the job of providing excellent care to residents so much easier. For example, our new medication system, Best Med, means we no longer need to interpret doctor’s instructions or handwriting – it’s all there and easily accessible. Apollo Care also provided amazing support to help bring my husband and two children to Australia.

To find out more about our community, please contact our friendly team by calling

(07) 4999 3000 or emailing infoAG@prescare.org.au

When it comes to mealtimes at Alexandra Gardens, neighbours Ethel, Maree and Barbara look forward to catching up, saying it feels just like one big family gathering.

“It’s great to sit down with friends each day. I really enjoy the social companionship. We chat about what activities are on for the day, our family and friends, and of course, the menu. Mealtimes here remind me a lot of family mealtimes – because everyone at the table is like family,” says Ethel.

Ethel, Maree and Barbara love the flexible approach to country-style meals and say the daily menus offer lots of delicious options and family favourites. They also love that they can choose when and where they eat, and help themselves to a snack or drink at any time.

“There’s plenty of choice – just like home. We get to choose our own menu each month, usually themed from different countries around the world. And we can provide suggestions and input into the menu design at our Focus on Food meetings,” says Maree.

“I like all the meals, but my favourites are Caesar salad, and grilled salmon and salad. At night, we prefer a lighter meal so we request cold meat and salad, or a toasted sandwich. It’s nice to have this flexibility and be able to choose,” says Barbara.

To find out more about our community, please contact our friendly team by calling

(07) 4999 3000 or emailing infoAG@prescare.org.au

Trish & Sharlene accepting the grant from John Hill, Club Director

We’re thrilled to be a successful applicant for the Frenchville Sports Club’s 2024 Community Partnership Program. The Club contributed $500, a new Webber BBQ and outdoor furniture. 

The cash donation will be put towards new screening for our Happy Hour area where residents can relax and enjoy afternoon catch-ups together with refreshments. 

A huge thank you to the Frenchville Sports Club for this wonderful initiative. It shows their unwavering commitment to giving back to the wider community that has supported it for generations. This will grant will be enjoyed by all residents for many years to come.  

To find out more about our community, please contact our friendly team by calling

(07) 4999 3000 or emailing infoAG@prescare.org.au