If you need emergency services, please contact 000
Are you feeling burnt out? Consider aged care respite.
Looking for a rewarding career in aged care and ready to start now?
View our current retirement living homes for sale.
Search
Contact Us
Close
Services to keep you independent
Government-funded support
One on one care and support
Support to help you stay at home
Allied health support services
Everyone deserves a break
Government or privately funded
Connect with others
Help to access support services
Personalised care and support
14 locations across Victoria
Principles of Montessori
Tailored to individual interests
Helping everyone adjust
If you care for someone, we’re here
Maintain your quality of life
Here for people of all ages
Take a break and have some fun
All your questions answered
Independent living for over 55s
Our latest properties available
Inner Melbourne communities
Camberwell
Deepdene
Kew
Hawthorn
Toorak
Suburban communities
Clayton
Kyneton
Trentham
Eltham
Bacchus Marsh
Pakenham
Balwyn
Brunswick West
Greensborough
Torquay
Everyone deserves a home
services for 18+
Great places to call home
Reach your developmental goals
Pathways to paid employment
Small group programs
Stay independent at home
Get the best out of your NDIS plan
support for 13-18 year olds
Reach developmental goals
Fun programs for your teenagers
NDIS planning
programs for 0-12 year olds
Support for developmental delays
Fun programs for your kids
A school where your child can shine
About St Paul’s College
Prepare your child for school
View our for school policies
Commited to the safety of your child
Menu
Back
Enter your search term below
Blog
→
Us Two
Retired nurse, Dorothy O’Meara, 90, is one of the original residents of Corpus Christi Village in Clayton. Since the passing of her husband John, her friendship with Joan Waters, an ex-classical singer from Cairns, has deepened. It’s connections like this one, that can make life in a retirement village that much richer.
Joan and I talk every day. Just to check in. It’s nice that someone looks out for you when you’re on your own. It gives you a sense of security.
We are close but we also respect each other’s privacy. The only one that comes knocking at my door each day is Sister Shirley from across the road. She kindly helps me administer the drops I need in my eyes each evening.
Joan’s husband, Kevin, a marvel. If anything in my unit is broken, he will fix it. He does so much for everyone in the village.
Joan and I attend Mass together each week – but she’s better at it than I. We also go to ‘Happy Hour’ on Fridays at the Community Centre and other social activities. I enjoy Joan’s personality – she’s always warm and caring.
She might not reveal this but Joan was once a classical singer. She trained in Cairns, where she grew up. Joan has spent years performing, with her pianist friend, in aged care residences and other places. She’s very generous and gifted. But, she doesn’t perform anymore; your voice changes as you get older. I think she misses it.
I celebrated my 90th birthday last year. I had a party with family in the Yarra Valley. Joan turns 90 this year. Soon we’ll have that in common too.
My husband and I moved into Corpus Christi seven years ago. We moved in on April Fool’s Day, but we weren’t fools – it’s one of the best decisions we’ve ever made. We chose Corpus Christi as it was close to where we’d been living in Oakleigh, where we built our family house, and raised our family. Kevin and I wanted to stay within our community and still see our friends. But, one of the best things about retirement living is the new friends you make.
One of the first neighbours I met was Dorothy. We had an instant connection and that connection developed into a happy friendship.
We quickly had a mutual understanding that we would look out for one another. I used to love to cook and we’d share many meals. Since Dorothy lost her husband three years ago, I felt she needed more support. Not that she’d say that. It’s just understood.
Dorothy might look frail, petite, but she’s a strong lady. She knows who she is. She also knows what’s going on in the world. It amazes me that she starts each day by reading The Age cover to cover. There are newspapers and magazines all over her table. She’s got a real thirst for knowledge.
Locating the information you need has become far easier with our useful guide.
Answer a few simple questions and you will be on your way.