'Fiercely loyal': The people who keep this tiny town's heart beating
Beyond the silos and green spaces of this beautiful country town lies an infectious community spirit.
The tiny town of Geranium in South Australia, near the Mallee Highway, has had its population shrink to double digits, but there are families still there who treasure it.
"It's a really unique little community in that it's fiercely loyal," said resident Margaret Smith.
Read more in The Senior
The town's Community Hub bought the Geranium Primary School from the state government for $1.10 earlier this year after it had closed due to dwindling enrolment numbers.
Since the purchase, an Op Shop has opened at the site in the old technology area, and there are plans for a cafe to start soon. A gym and yoga classes have been run from the school already.
Geranium Community Hub secretary Anne Bond grew up in the town, with her great-grandparents moving to a farm there in 1910.
Mrs Bond recalls seeing numerous families on farms in the town and neighbouring areas, with community life revolving around sporting clubs, and the school becoming a focal point in the district.
She said there was a lot of grief when the school closed, but there was a strong community response.
"That brought a lot of people together to support that dreaming of what we could do with the school," she said.
"We felt that we can make it a meeting place."
In the town, there is a bowling club that hosts meals plus several games, a community pool that runs in the summer, an antique shop, a post office, Uniting Church, a space for free camping and a a Soldiers Memorial Park - a nice space to "meditate and have afternoon tea", said Mrs Bond.
Geranium is part of the Southern Mallee district, where farming became a big part of the region's development after railway services started in the early 1900s.
According to the 2021 Census data, Geranium's population was 83, down from 240 in 2006.
There are several volunteers who donate their time to keep the town's spirit and connectedness alive.
Adam Morgan is a fourth-generation farmer in the town with his wife, Tanja, and they have three children.
"I've lived here all my life... I love farming here, but also enjoy the small community," he said.
The Geranium Community Hub chair said keeping the school in community hands has given people a place to gather, including for working bees and local events.
"School has always been somewhere where people have been able to go," he said.
Margaret Smith opened the Op Shop at the school shortly after the sale.
"It's a really good connecting place for locals," she said.
Ms Smith and her husband David - who is involved with the local Uniting Church - moved to the town about 40 years ago. They have barley, wheat, canola and sheep on their farm, plus David breeds Merino rams.
The couple's five children were students at the school and Ms Smith worked there for a time, including as a teacher and a pastoral worker. She recalls families rallying together for school and other community events, and noted how even today, lots of people put their hand up for various causes.
"Everyone sort of pitched in... there's a real loyalty [here]," she said.
Rosemary Howard is the editor of The Guardian, the town's newsletter and has lived in Geranium with her husband Peter since 1968.
Their children went to the town's school and their son lives next door, where he has cattle, dorper sheep and crops.
Mrs Howard had noticed people had been moving to the town in recent years in search of quietness and cheaper housing.
Socially, she said the bowling club's dinners attracted people far and wide, and she loved having a coffee at the Op Shop recently with people who had just finished a yoga class.
"It's always been a friendly town," she said.
"It really is just a very friendly, welcoming place."
Share your thoughts in the comments below, or send a Letter to the Editor by CLICKING HERE.
Beyond the silos and green spaces of this beautiful country town lies an infectious community spirit.
The tiny town of Geranium in South Australia, near the Mallee Highway, has had its population shrink to double digits, but there are families still there who treasure it.
"It's a really unique little community in that it's fiercely loyal," said resident Margaret Smith.
Read more in The Senior
The town's Community Hub bought the Geranium Primary School from the state government for $1.10 earlier this year after it had closed due to dwindling enrolment numbers.
Since the purchase, an Op Shop has opened at the site in the old technology area, and there are plans for a cafe to start soon. A gym and yoga classes have been run from the school already.
Geranium Community Hub secretary Anne Bond grew up in the town, with her great-grandparents moving to a farm there in 1910.
Mrs Bond recalls seeing numerous families on farms in the town and neighbouring areas, with community life revolving around sporting clubs, and the school becoming a focal point in the district.
She said there was a lot of grief when the school closed, but there was a strong community response.
"That brought a lot of people together to support that dreaming of what we could do with the school," she said.
"We felt that we can make it a meeting place."
In the town, there is a bowling club that hosts meals plus several games, a community pool that runs in the summer, an antique shop, a post office, Uniting Church, a space for free camping and a a Soldiers Memorial Park - a nice space to "meditate and have afternoon tea", said Mrs Bond.
Geranium is part of the Southern Mallee district, where farming became a big part of the region's development after railway services started in the early 1900s.
According to the 2021 Census data, Geranium's population was 83, down from 240 in 2006.
There are several volunteers who donate their time to keep the town's spirit and connectedness alive.
Adam Morgan is a fourth-generation farmer in the town with his wife, Tanja, and they have three children.
"I've lived here all my life... I love farming here, but also enjoy the small community," he said.
The Geranium Community Hub chair said keeping the school in community hands has given people a place to gather, including for working bees and local events.
"School has always been somewhere where people have been able to go," he said.
Margaret Smith opened the Op Shop at the school shortly after the sale.
"It's a really good connecting place for locals," she said.
Ms Smith and her husband David - who is involved with the local Uniting Church - moved to the town about 40 years ago. They have barley, wheat, canola and sheep on their farm, plus David breeds Merino rams.
The couple's five children were students at the school and Ms Smith worked there for a time, including as a teacher and a pastoral worker. She recalls families rallying together for school and other community events, and noted how even today, lots of people put their hand up for various causes.
"Everyone sort of pitched in... there's a real loyalty [here]," she said.
Rosemary Howard is the editor of The Guardian, the town's newsletter and has lived in Geranium with her husband Peter since 1968.
Their children went to the town's school and their son lives next door, where he has cattle, dorper sheep and crops.
Mrs Howard had noticed people had been moving to the town in recent years in search of quietness and cheaper housing.
Socially, she said the bowling club's dinners attracted people far and wide, and she loved having a coffee at the Op Shop recently with people who had just finished a yoga class.
"It's always been a friendly town," she said.
"It really is just a very friendly, welcoming place."
Share your thoughts in the comments below, or send a Letter to the Editor by CLICKING HERE.
Beyond the silos and green spaces of this beautiful country town lies an infectious community spirit.
The tiny town of Geranium in South Australia, near the Mallee Highway, has had its population shrink to double digits, but there are families still there who treasure it.
"It's a really unique little community in that it's fiercely loyal," said resident Margaret Smith.
Read more in The Senior
The town's Community Hub bought the Geranium Primary School from the state government for $1.10 earlier this year after it had closed due to dwindling enrolment numbers.
Since the purchase, an Op Shop has opened at the site in the old technology area, and there are plans for a cafe to start soon. A gym and yoga classes have been run from the school already.
Geranium Community Hub secretary Anne Bond grew up in the town, with her great-grandparents moving to a farm there in 1910.
Mrs Bond recalls seeing numerous families on farms in the town and neighbouring areas, with community life revolving around sporting clubs, and the school becoming a focal point in the district.
She said there was a lot of grief when the school closed, but there was a strong community response.
"That brought a lot of people together to support that dreaming of what we could do with the school," she said.
"We felt that we can make it a meeting place."
In the town, there is a bowling club that hosts meals plus several games, a community pool that runs in the summer, an antique shop, a post office, Uniting Church, a space for free camping and a a Soldiers Memorial Park - a nice space to "meditate and have afternoon tea", said Mrs Bond.
Geranium is part of the Southern Mallee district, where farming became a big part of the region's development after railway services started in the early 1900s.
According to the 2021 Census data, Geranium's population was 83, down from 240 in 2006.
There are several volunteers who donate their time to keep the town's spirit and connectedness alive.
Adam Morgan is a fourth-generation farmer in the town with his wife, Tanja, and they have three children.
"I've lived here all my life... I love farming here, but also enjoy the small community," he said.
The Geranium Community Hub chair said keeping the school in community hands has given people a place to gather, including for working bees and local events.
"School has always been somewhere where people have been able to go," he said.
Margaret Smith opened the Op Shop at the school shortly after the sale.
"It's a really good connecting place for locals," she said.
Ms Smith and her husband David - who is involved with the local Uniting Church - moved to the town about 40 years ago. They have barley, wheat, canola and sheep on their farm, plus David breeds Merino rams.
The couple's five children were students at the school and Ms Smith worked there for a time, including as a teacher and a pastoral worker. She recalls families rallying together for school and other community events, and noted how even today, lots of people put their hand up for various causes.
"Everyone sort of pitched in... there's a real loyalty [here]," she said.
Rosemary Howard is the editor of The Guardian, the town's newsletter and has lived in Geranium with her husband Peter since 1968.
Their children went to the town's school and their son lives next door, where he has cattle, dorper sheep and crops.
Mrs Howard had noticed people had been moving to the town in recent years in search of quietness and cheaper housing.
Socially, she said the bowling club's dinners attracted people far and wide, and she loved having a coffee at the Op Shop recently with people who had just finished a yoga class.
"It's always been a friendly town," she said.
"It really is just a very friendly, welcoming place."
Share your thoughts in the comments below, or send a Letter to the Editor by CLICKING HERE.
Beyond the silos and green spaces of this beautiful country town lies an infectious community spirit.
The tiny town of Geranium in South Australia, near the Mallee Highway, has had its population shrink to double digits, but there are families still there who treasure it.
"It's a really unique little community in that it's fiercely loyal," said resident Margaret Smith.
Read more in The Senior
The town's Community Hub bought the Geranium Primary School from the state government for $1.10 earlier this year after it had closed due to dwindling enrolment numbers.
Since the purchase, an Op Shop has opened at the site in the old technology area, and there are plans for a cafe to start soon. A gym and yoga classes have been run from the school already.
Geranium Community Hub secretary Anne Bond grew up in the town, with her great-grandparents moving to a farm there in 1910.
Mrs Bond recalls seeing numerous families on farms in the town and neighbouring areas, with community life revolving around sporting clubs, and the school becoming a focal point in the district.
She said there was a lot of grief when the school closed, but there was a strong community response.
"That brought a lot of people together to support that dreaming of what we could do with the school," she said.
"We felt that we can make it a meeting place."
In the town, there is a bowling club that hosts meals plus several games, a community pool that runs in the summer, an antique shop, a post office, Uniting Church, a space for free camping and a a Soldiers Memorial Park - a nice space to "meditate and have afternoon tea", said Mrs Bond.
Geranium is part of the Southern Mallee district, where farming became a big part of the region's development after railway services started in the early 1900s.
According to the 2021 Census data, Geranium's population was 83, down from 240 in 2006.
There are several volunteers who donate their time to keep the town's spirit and connectedness alive.
Adam Morgan is a fourth-generation farmer in the town with his wife, Tanja, and they have three children.
"I've lived here all my life... I love farming here, but also enjoy the small community," he said.
The Geranium Community Hub chair said keeping the school in community hands has given people a place to gather, including for working bees and local events.
"School has always been somewhere where people have been able to go," he said.
Margaret Smith opened the Op Shop at the school shortly after the sale.
"It's a really good connecting place for locals," she said.
Ms Smith and her husband David - who is involved with the local Uniting Church - moved to the town about 40 years ago. They have barley, wheat, canola and sheep on their farm, plus David breeds Merino rams.
The couple's five children were students at the school and Ms Smith worked there for a time, including as a teacher and a pastoral worker. She recalls families rallying together for school and other community events, and noted how even today, lots of people put their hand up for various causes.
"Everyone sort of pitched in... there's a real loyalty [here]," she said.
Rosemary Howard is the editor of The Guardian, the town's newsletter and has lived in Geranium with her husband Peter since 1968.
Their children went to the town's school and their son lives next door, where he has cattle, dorper sheep and crops.
Mrs Howard had noticed people had been moving to the town in recent years in search of quietness and cheaper housing.
Socially, she said the bowling club's dinners attracted people far and wide, and she loved having a coffee at the Op Shop recently with people who had just finished a yoga class.
"It's always been a friendly town," she said.
"It really is just a very friendly, welcoming place."
Share your thoughts in the comments below, or send a Letter to the Editor by CLICKING HERE.
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The Advertiser
a day ago
- The Advertiser
'Fiercely loyal': The people who keep this tiny town's heart beating
Beyond the silos and green spaces of this beautiful country town lies an infectious community spirit. The tiny town of Geranium in South Australia, near the Mallee Highway, has had its population shrink to double digits, but there are families still there who treasure it. "It's a really unique little community in that it's fiercely loyal," said resident Margaret Smith. Read more in The Senior The town's Community Hub bought the Geranium Primary School from the state government for $1.10 earlier this year after it had closed due to dwindling enrolment numbers. Since the purchase, an Op Shop has opened at the site in the old technology area, and there are plans for a cafe to start soon. A gym and yoga classes have been run from the school already. Geranium Community Hub secretary Anne Bond grew up in the town, with her great-grandparents moving to a farm there in 1910. Mrs Bond recalls seeing numerous families on farms in the town and neighbouring areas, with community life revolving around sporting clubs, and the school becoming a focal point in the district. She said there was a lot of grief when the school closed, but there was a strong community response. "That brought a lot of people together to support that dreaming of what we could do with the school," she said. "We felt that we can make it a meeting place." In the town, there is a bowling club that hosts meals plus several games, a community pool that runs in the summer, an antique shop, a post office, Uniting Church, a space for free camping and a a Soldiers Memorial Park - a nice space to "meditate and have afternoon tea", said Mrs Bond. Geranium is part of the Southern Mallee district, where farming became a big part of the region's development after railway services started in the early 1900s. According to the 2021 Census data, Geranium's population was 83, down from 240 in 2006. There are several volunteers who donate their time to keep the town's spirit and connectedness alive. Adam Morgan is a fourth-generation farmer in the town with his wife, Tanja, and they have three children. "I've lived here all my life... I love farming here, but also enjoy the small community," he said. The Geranium Community Hub chair said keeping the school in community hands has given people a place to gather, including for working bees and local events. "School has always been somewhere where people have been able to go," he said. Margaret Smith opened the Op Shop at the school shortly after the sale. "It's a really good connecting place for locals," she said. Ms Smith and her husband David - who is involved with the local Uniting Church - moved to the town about 40 years ago. They have barley, wheat, canola and sheep on their farm, plus David breeds Merino rams. The couple's five children were students at the school and Ms Smith worked there for a time, including as a teacher and a pastoral worker. She recalls families rallying together for school and other community events, and noted how even today, lots of people put their hand up for various causes. "Everyone sort of pitched in... there's a real loyalty [here]," she said. Rosemary Howard is the editor of The Guardian, the town's newsletter and has lived in Geranium with her husband Peter since 1968. Their children went to the town's school and their son lives next door, where he has cattle, dorper sheep and crops. Mrs Howard had noticed people had been moving to the town in recent years in search of quietness and cheaper housing. Socially, she said the bowling club's dinners attracted people far and wide, and she loved having a coffee at the Op Shop recently with people who had just finished a yoga class. "It's always been a friendly town," she said. "It really is just a very friendly, welcoming place." Share your thoughts in the comments below, or send a Letter to the Editor by CLICKING HERE. Beyond the silos and green spaces of this beautiful country town lies an infectious community spirit. The tiny town of Geranium in South Australia, near the Mallee Highway, has had its population shrink to double digits, but there are families still there who treasure it. "It's a really unique little community in that it's fiercely loyal," said resident Margaret Smith. Read more in The Senior The town's Community Hub bought the Geranium Primary School from the state government for $1.10 earlier this year after it had closed due to dwindling enrolment numbers. Since the purchase, an Op Shop has opened at the site in the old technology area, and there are plans for a cafe to start soon. A gym and yoga classes have been run from the school already. Geranium Community Hub secretary Anne Bond grew up in the town, with her great-grandparents moving to a farm there in 1910. Mrs Bond recalls seeing numerous families on farms in the town and neighbouring areas, with community life revolving around sporting clubs, and the school becoming a focal point in the district. She said there was a lot of grief when the school closed, but there was a strong community response. "That brought a lot of people together to support that dreaming of what we could do with the school," she said. "We felt that we can make it a meeting place." In the town, there is a bowling club that hosts meals plus several games, a community pool that runs in the summer, an antique shop, a post office, Uniting Church, a space for free camping and a a Soldiers Memorial Park - a nice space to "meditate and have afternoon tea", said Mrs Bond. Geranium is part of the Southern Mallee district, where farming became a big part of the region's development after railway services started in the early 1900s. According to the 2021 Census data, Geranium's population was 83, down from 240 in 2006. There are several volunteers who donate their time to keep the town's spirit and connectedness alive. Adam Morgan is a fourth-generation farmer in the town with his wife, Tanja, and they have three children. "I've lived here all my life... I love farming here, but also enjoy the small community," he said. The Geranium Community Hub chair said keeping the school in community hands has given people a place to gather, including for working bees and local events. "School has always been somewhere where people have been able to go," he said. Margaret Smith opened the Op Shop at the school shortly after the sale. "It's a really good connecting place for locals," she said. Ms Smith and her husband David - who is involved with the local Uniting Church - moved to the town about 40 years ago. They have barley, wheat, canola and sheep on their farm, plus David breeds Merino rams. The couple's five children were students at the school and Ms Smith worked there for a time, including as a teacher and a pastoral worker. She recalls families rallying together for school and other community events, and noted how even today, lots of people put their hand up for various causes. "Everyone sort of pitched in... there's a real loyalty [here]," she said. Rosemary Howard is the editor of The Guardian, the town's newsletter and has lived in Geranium with her husband Peter since 1968. Their children went to the town's school and their son lives next door, where he has cattle, dorper sheep and crops. Mrs Howard had noticed people had been moving to the town in recent years in search of quietness and cheaper housing. Socially, she said the bowling club's dinners attracted people far and wide, and she loved having a coffee at the Op Shop recently with people who had just finished a yoga class. "It's always been a friendly town," she said. "It really is just a very friendly, welcoming place." Share your thoughts in the comments below, or send a Letter to the Editor by CLICKING HERE. Beyond the silos and green spaces of this beautiful country town lies an infectious community spirit. The tiny town of Geranium in South Australia, near the Mallee Highway, has had its population shrink to double digits, but there are families still there who treasure it. "It's a really unique little community in that it's fiercely loyal," said resident Margaret Smith. Read more in The Senior The town's Community Hub bought the Geranium Primary School from the state government for $1.10 earlier this year after it had closed due to dwindling enrolment numbers. Since the purchase, an Op Shop has opened at the site in the old technology area, and there are plans for a cafe to start soon. A gym and yoga classes have been run from the school already. Geranium Community Hub secretary Anne Bond grew up in the town, with her great-grandparents moving to a farm there in 1910. Mrs Bond recalls seeing numerous families on farms in the town and neighbouring areas, with community life revolving around sporting clubs, and the school becoming a focal point in the district. She said there was a lot of grief when the school closed, but there was a strong community response. "That brought a lot of people together to support that dreaming of what we could do with the school," she said. "We felt that we can make it a meeting place." In the town, there is a bowling club that hosts meals plus several games, a community pool that runs in the summer, an antique shop, a post office, Uniting Church, a space for free camping and a a Soldiers Memorial Park - a nice space to "meditate and have afternoon tea", said Mrs Bond. Geranium is part of the Southern Mallee district, where farming became a big part of the region's development after railway services started in the early 1900s. According to the 2021 Census data, Geranium's population was 83, down from 240 in 2006. There are several volunteers who donate their time to keep the town's spirit and connectedness alive. Adam Morgan is a fourth-generation farmer in the town with his wife, Tanja, and they have three children. "I've lived here all my life... I love farming here, but also enjoy the small community," he said. The Geranium Community Hub chair said keeping the school in community hands has given people a place to gather, including for working bees and local events. "School has always been somewhere where people have been able to go," he said. Margaret Smith opened the Op Shop at the school shortly after the sale. "It's a really good connecting place for locals," she said. Ms Smith and her husband David - who is involved with the local Uniting Church - moved to the town about 40 years ago. They have barley, wheat, canola and sheep on their farm, plus David breeds Merino rams. The couple's five children were students at the school and Ms Smith worked there for a time, including as a teacher and a pastoral worker. She recalls families rallying together for school and other community events, and noted how even today, lots of people put their hand up for various causes. "Everyone sort of pitched in... there's a real loyalty [here]," she said. Rosemary Howard is the editor of The Guardian, the town's newsletter and has lived in Geranium with her husband Peter since 1968. Their children went to the town's school and their son lives next door, where he has cattle, dorper sheep and crops. Mrs Howard had noticed people had been moving to the town in recent years in search of quietness and cheaper housing. Socially, she said the bowling club's dinners attracted people far and wide, and she loved having a coffee at the Op Shop recently with people who had just finished a yoga class. "It's always been a friendly town," she said. "It really is just a very friendly, welcoming place." Share your thoughts in the comments below, or send a Letter to the Editor by CLICKING HERE. Beyond the silos and green spaces of this beautiful country town lies an infectious community spirit. The tiny town of Geranium in South Australia, near the Mallee Highway, has had its population shrink to double digits, but there are families still there who treasure it. "It's a really unique little community in that it's fiercely loyal," said resident Margaret Smith. Read more in The Senior The town's Community Hub bought the Geranium Primary School from the state government for $1.10 earlier this year after it had closed due to dwindling enrolment numbers. Since the purchase, an Op Shop has opened at the site in the old technology area, and there are plans for a cafe to start soon. A gym and yoga classes have been run from the school already. Geranium Community Hub secretary Anne Bond grew up in the town, with her great-grandparents moving to a farm there in 1910. Mrs Bond recalls seeing numerous families on farms in the town and neighbouring areas, with community life revolving around sporting clubs, and the school becoming a focal point in the district. She said there was a lot of grief when the school closed, but there was a strong community response. "That brought a lot of people together to support that dreaming of what we could do with the school," she said. "We felt that we can make it a meeting place." In the town, there is a bowling club that hosts meals plus several games, a community pool that runs in the summer, an antique shop, a post office, Uniting Church, a space for free camping and a a Soldiers Memorial Park - a nice space to "meditate and have afternoon tea", said Mrs Bond. Geranium is part of the Southern Mallee district, where farming became a big part of the region's development after railway services started in the early 1900s. According to the 2021 Census data, Geranium's population was 83, down from 240 in 2006. There are several volunteers who donate their time to keep the town's spirit and connectedness alive. Adam Morgan is a fourth-generation farmer in the town with his wife, Tanja, and they have three children. "I've lived here all my life... I love farming here, but also enjoy the small community," he said. The Geranium Community Hub chair said keeping the school in community hands has given people a place to gather, including for working bees and local events. "School has always been somewhere where people have been able to go," he said. Margaret Smith opened the Op Shop at the school shortly after the sale. "It's a really good connecting place for locals," she said. Ms Smith and her husband David - who is involved with the local Uniting Church - moved to the town about 40 years ago. They have barley, wheat, canola and sheep on their farm, plus David breeds Merino rams. The couple's five children were students at the school and Ms Smith worked there for a time, including as a teacher and a pastoral worker. She recalls families rallying together for school and other community events, and noted how even today, lots of people put their hand up for various causes. "Everyone sort of pitched in... there's a real loyalty [here]," she said. Rosemary Howard is the editor of The Guardian, the town's newsletter and has lived in Geranium with her husband Peter since 1968. Their children went to the town's school and their son lives next door, where he has cattle, dorper sheep and crops. Mrs Howard had noticed people had been moving to the town in recent years in search of quietness and cheaper housing. Socially, she said the bowling club's dinners attracted people far and wide, and she loved having a coffee at the Op Shop recently with people who had just finished a yoga class. "It's always been a friendly town," she said. "It really is just a very friendly, welcoming place." Share your thoughts in the comments below, or send a Letter to the Editor by CLICKING HERE.
The Advertiser
04-06-2025
- The Advertiser
Inside the life of the sandwich generation: Caring for parents and teens
In some cultures, looking after your elderly parents is part of society norm, in others it's mandated by law (like China and France). In Australia, it can be a personal choice, though many are oblivious to their role and don't identify as a "carer" - meaning wellbeing is often overlooked. "They think 'I'm just looking after my parents' or, you know, 'I'm just caring for a child with special needs' ... [and are not] seeking those supports that are available to them, like respite or counselling, or peer groups that may help," said Annabel Reid, CEO of Carers Australia. Most carers will care for years before they seek out assistance, meaning they're usually in "quite a bad place when they seek help", Ms Reid said. The Australian Bureau of Statistics estimates 11.9 per cent of the population were carers in 2024 - including 1.2 million primary carers and 1.9 million carers who were not primary carers - who support a family member or friend who has a disability, mental illness, drug and/or alcohol dependency, chronic condition, terminal illness or who is frail. Read more at The Senior: Linley Wilkie, a journalist with ACM (publisher of this masthead), is the eldest child in her family, "and usually [her] parent's first port of call". "Dad is 83 and Mum is 74. They've been fit, healthy and socially active for most of their lives, however, things took a turn when Dad was diagnosed with melanoma at the end of 2019," she told The Senior. "The ongoing immunotherapy treatment has been amazing, but it ultimately rocked their world and I feel like my status as 'firstborn' grew to include 'carer' at about this point ... on the flip side, care for my teenage sons is daily, filled with the usual things you'd expect in a busy family." The Victorian resident lives an hour and 20-minutes drive from her parents, so teaching them "lifehacks" (like how to do online shopping, how to spot a scam email or how to find Cancer Council support services) and outsourcing jobs like cleaning where she can has been helpful. "When I visit, I'll drive them to the post office, or the bank, and other services they feel more comfortable still undertaking in person," she said. *I think I'd feel incredibly guilty if I wasn't in a position to look after them at the drop of a hat ... not because they'd impress guilt upon me, but because I was brought up to appreciate the importance of people looking after each other - I feel that deeply when it concerns the person who raised me to be who I am today. "I genuinely love caring for them! There's a real sense of pride and satisfaction in seeing them regain their health and independence." Ms Wilkie said she was fortunate to have no financial implications for being "sandwiched between the needs of her ageing parents and growing teenage sons", though she does feel "overstretched" on occasion - a plight of many others in a similar situation. Ms Wilkie said she tries to manage her wellbeing by taking time out for herself, like catching up with friends or watching a favourite television show. "Simple things that give me joy and require minimal effort," she said. "Try not to feel bad for yourself when you're doing the caring while others wait, being able to look after the generations before and after you is part of many modern-day families. Cherish the time you have left with your parents and instil similar values in your children, so that one day, caring for you will come naturally to them (aka the circle of life)!" The latest research around the "sandwich generation" has revealed on average, caregivers spend around 31.7 hours on average per week doing unpaid care for both older and younger generations, juggled with around 21 hours on average of work each week. The Australian Seniors: Sandwich Generation Report 2025 also found nine in 10 of those surveyed had experienced caregiving burnout (emotional and physical exhaustion, sleep issues), 65 per cent of those surveyed were concerned about long-term health impacts of caregiving, though a third of carers reported they did engage in self-care strategies (like regular exercise, seeking support and taking breaks). Join the conversation. Share your thoughts in the comments below, or send a Letter to the Editor by CLICKING HERE. In some cultures, looking after your elderly parents is part of society norm, in others it's mandated by law (like China and France). In Australia, it can be a personal choice, though many are oblivious to their role and don't identify as a "carer" - meaning wellbeing is often overlooked. "They think 'I'm just looking after my parents' or, you know, 'I'm just caring for a child with special needs' ... [and are not] seeking those supports that are available to them, like respite or counselling, or peer groups that may help," said Annabel Reid, CEO of Carers Australia. Most carers will care for years before they seek out assistance, meaning they're usually in "quite a bad place when they seek help", Ms Reid said. The Australian Bureau of Statistics estimates 11.9 per cent of the population were carers in 2024 - including 1.2 million primary carers and 1.9 million carers who were not primary carers - who support a family member or friend who has a disability, mental illness, drug and/or alcohol dependency, chronic condition, terminal illness or who is frail. Read more at The Senior: Linley Wilkie, a journalist with ACM (publisher of this masthead), is the eldest child in her family, "and usually [her] parent's first port of call". "Dad is 83 and Mum is 74. They've been fit, healthy and socially active for most of their lives, however, things took a turn when Dad was diagnosed with melanoma at the end of 2019," she told The Senior. "The ongoing immunotherapy treatment has been amazing, but it ultimately rocked their world and I feel like my status as 'firstborn' grew to include 'carer' at about this point ... on the flip side, care for my teenage sons is daily, filled with the usual things you'd expect in a busy family." The Victorian resident lives an hour and 20-minutes drive from her parents, so teaching them "lifehacks" (like how to do online shopping, how to spot a scam email or how to find Cancer Council support services) and outsourcing jobs like cleaning where she can has been helpful. "When I visit, I'll drive them to the post office, or the bank, and other services they feel more comfortable still undertaking in person," she said. *I think I'd feel incredibly guilty if I wasn't in a position to look after them at the drop of a hat ... not because they'd impress guilt upon me, but because I was brought up to appreciate the importance of people looking after each other - I feel that deeply when it concerns the person who raised me to be who I am today. "I genuinely love caring for them! There's a real sense of pride and satisfaction in seeing them regain their health and independence." Ms Wilkie said she was fortunate to have no financial implications for being "sandwiched between the needs of her ageing parents and growing teenage sons", though she does feel "overstretched" on occasion - a plight of many others in a similar situation. Ms Wilkie said she tries to manage her wellbeing by taking time out for herself, like catching up with friends or watching a favourite television show. "Simple things that give me joy and require minimal effort," she said. "Try not to feel bad for yourself when you're doing the caring while others wait, being able to look after the generations before and after you is part of many modern-day families. Cherish the time you have left with your parents and instil similar values in your children, so that one day, caring for you will come naturally to them (aka the circle of life)!" The latest research around the "sandwich generation" has revealed on average, caregivers spend around 31.7 hours on average per week doing unpaid care for both older and younger generations, juggled with around 21 hours on average of work each week. The Australian Seniors: Sandwich Generation Report 2025 also found nine in 10 of those surveyed had experienced caregiving burnout (emotional and physical exhaustion, sleep issues), 65 per cent of those surveyed were concerned about long-term health impacts of caregiving, though a third of carers reported they did engage in self-care strategies (like regular exercise, seeking support and taking breaks). Join the conversation. Share your thoughts in the comments below, or send a Letter to the Editor by CLICKING HERE. In some cultures, looking after your elderly parents is part of society norm, in others it's mandated by law (like China and France). In Australia, it can be a personal choice, though many are oblivious to their role and don't identify as a "carer" - meaning wellbeing is often overlooked. "They think 'I'm just looking after my parents' or, you know, 'I'm just caring for a child with special needs' ... [and are not] seeking those supports that are available to them, like respite or counselling, or peer groups that may help," said Annabel Reid, CEO of Carers Australia. Most carers will care for years before they seek out assistance, meaning they're usually in "quite a bad place when they seek help", Ms Reid said. The Australian Bureau of Statistics estimates 11.9 per cent of the population were carers in 2024 - including 1.2 million primary carers and 1.9 million carers who were not primary carers - who support a family member or friend who has a disability, mental illness, drug and/or alcohol dependency, chronic condition, terminal illness or who is frail. Read more at The Senior: Linley Wilkie, a journalist with ACM (publisher of this masthead), is the eldest child in her family, "and usually [her] parent's first port of call". "Dad is 83 and Mum is 74. They've been fit, healthy and socially active for most of their lives, however, things took a turn when Dad was diagnosed with melanoma at the end of 2019," she told The Senior. "The ongoing immunotherapy treatment has been amazing, but it ultimately rocked their world and I feel like my status as 'firstborn' grew to include 'carer' at about this point ... on the flip side, care for my teenage sons is daily, filled with the usual things you'd expect in a busy family." The Victorian resident lives an hour and 20-minutes drive from her parents, so teaching them "lifehacks" (like how to do online shopping, how to spot a scam email or how to find Cancer Council support services) and outsourcing jobs like cleaning where she can has been helpful. "When I visit, I'll drive them to the post office, or the bank, and other services they feel more comfortable still undertaking in person," she said. *I think I'd feel incredibly guilty if I wasn't in a position to look after them at the drop of a hat ... not because they'd impress guilt upon me, but because I was brought up to appreciate the importance of people looking after each other - I feel that deeply when it concerns the person who raised me to be who I am today. "I genuinely love caring for them! There's a real sense of pride and satisfaction in seeing them regain their health and independence." Ms Wilkie said she was fortunate to have no financial implications for being "sandwiched between the needs of her ageing parents and growing teenage sons", though she does feel "overstretched" on occasion - a plight of many others in a similar situation. Ms Wilkie said she tries to manage her wellbeing by taking time out for herself, like catching up with friends or watching a favourite television show. "Simple things that give me joy and require minimal effort," she said. "Try not to feel bad for yourself when you're doing the caring while others wait, being able to look after the generations before and after you is part of many modern-day families. Cherish the time you have left with your parents and instil similar values in your children, so that one day, caring for you will come naturally to them (aka the circle of life)!" The latest research around the "sandwich generation" has revealed on average, caregivers spend around 31.7 hours on average per week doing unpaid care for both older and younger generations, juggled with around 21 hours on average of work each week. The Australian Seniors: Sandwich Generation Report 2025 also found nine in 10 of those surveyed had experienced caregiving burnout (emotional and physical exhaustion, sleep issues), 65 per cent of those surveyed were concerned about long-term health impacts of caregiving, though a third of carers reported they did engage in self-care strategies (like regular exercise, seeking support and taking breaks). Join the conversation. Share your thoughts in the comments below, or send a Letter to the Editor by CLICKING HERE. In some cultures, looking after your elderly parents is part of society norm, in others it's mandated by law (like China and France). In Australia, it can be a personal choice, though many are oblivious to their role and don't identify as a "carer" - meaning wellbeing is often overlooked. "They think 'I'm just looking after my parents' or, you know, 'I'm just caring for a child with special needs' ... [and are not] seeking those supports that are available to them, like respite or counselling, or peer groups that may help," said Annabel Reid, CEO of Carers Australia. Most carers will care for years before they seek out assistance, meaning they're usually in "quite a bad place when they seek help", Ms Reid said. The Australian Bureau of Statistics estimates 11.9 per cent of the population were carers in 2024 - including 1.2 million primary carers and 1.9 million carers who were not primary carers - who support a family member or friend who has a disability, mental illness, drug and/or alcohol dependency, chronic condition, terminal illness or who is frail. Read more at The Senior: Linley Wilkie, a journalist with ACM (publisher of this masthead), is the eldest child in her family, "and usually [her] parent's first port of call". "Dad is 83 and Mum is 74. They've been fit, healthy and socially active for most of their lives, however, things took a turn when Dad was diagnosed with melanoma at the end of 2019," she told The Senior. "The ongoing immunotherapy treatment has been amazing, but it ultimately rocked their world and I feel like my status as 'firstborn' grew to include 'carer' at about this point ... on the flip side, care for my teenage sons is daily, filled with the usual things you'd expect in a busy family." The Victorian resident lives an hour and 20-minutes drive from her parents, so teaching them "lifehacks" (like how to do online shopping, how to spot a scam email or how to find Cancer Council support services) and outsourcing jobs like cleaning where she can has been helpful. "When I visit, I'll drive them to the post office, or the bank, and other services they feel more comfortable still undertaking in person," she said. *I think I'd feel incredibly guilty if I wasn't in a position to look after them at the drop of a hat ... not because they'd impress guilt upon me, but because I was brought up to appreciate the importance of people looking after each other - I feel that deeply when it concerns the person who raised me to be who I am today. "I genuinely love caring for them! There's a real sense of pride and satisfaction in seeing them regain their health and independence." Ms Wilkie said she was fortunate to have no financial implications for being "sandwiched between the needs of her ageing parents and growing teenage sons", though she does feel "overstretched" on occasion - a plight of many others in a similar situation. Ms Wilkie said she tries to manage her wellbeing by taking time out for herself, like catching up with friends or watching a favourite television show. "Simple things that give me joy and require minimal effort," she said. "Try not to feel bad for yourself when you're doing the caring while others wait, being able to look after the generations before and after you is part of many modern-day families. Cherish the time you have left with your parents and instil similar values in your children, so that one day, caring for you will come naturally to them (aka the circle of life)!" The latest research around the "sandwich generation" has revealed on average, caregivers spend around 31.7 hours on average per week doing unpaid care for both older and younger generations, juggled with around 21 hours on average of work each week. The Australian Seniors: Sandwich Generation Report 2025 also found nine in 10 of those surveyed had experienced caregiving burnout (emotional and physical exhaustion, sleep issues), 65 per cent of those surveyed were concerned about long-term health impacts of caregiving, though a third of carers reported they did engage in self-care strategies (like regular exercise, seeking support and taking breaks). Join the conversation. Share your thoughts in the comments below, or send a Letter to the Editor by CLICKING HERE.
Sky News AU
03-06-2025
- Sky News AU
‘Sorry sign' spotted in front of Victorian school as National Reconciliation Week ends
Sky News host Caleb Bond comments on a 'sorry sign' spotted in front of a Victorian school. This comes amid National Reconciliation Week. 'I think it's gone a little bit too far in this case, and I have no problem in saying that as a country, of course, we should all strive towards reconciliation,' Mr Bond said. 'The activists, of course, mean that we should divide people. 'They've taken it one step over the marker, I think, and have put a sign out the front of the school … which says 'sorry'.'
