What’s cooking?: Tongala Senior Citizens member Margaret Hatcher inspects the work of Tongala Primary School students Ava Brunt and Mia Reid, who are among more than a dozen students involved in the collaboration between the neighbouring organisations.
A conveniently placed gate at the rear of the Tongala Senior Citizens property in Cadell St has provided a convenient portal to the next generation for members of the forward-thinking organisation.
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The gateway leads directly on to the Tongala Primary School property and, in recent months, it has been used as an access point by the 13 students involved in a rotation for the latest of its community programs.
Sam Lyon, who been the middle-man in the community service initiative, said four students were involved in providing lunch service to the seniors on a rotational basis.
The students in Years 4 to 6 arrive about 11am and are involved in a food preparation, service and clean-up operation that involves them providing the increasing membership of the Tongala seniors with their lunch.
“They prepare the food, serve it, offer a tea and coffee service and then clear the tables and wash up at the end,” Mr Lyon said.
He was speaking midway through the delivery of the sixth week of the program, which started in term two.
“We plan to make it an ongoing program,“ he said, explaining that the school had always shared an affinity with the older generation.
Tongala Primary School, at least during pre-COVID-19 times, was regularly involved in programs that included the nursing home residents as guests of its activities.
There is a continuing pen pal program that exists with residents of the aged care facility.
The seniors luncheon program has the benefit of giving students a taste of a potential career in hospitality, although one student already understands the demands of kitchen work.
Winter Townsend is the daughter of school council president, and renowned Johnny and Lyle hospitality professional, Amber Townsend.
“Their back gate adjoins the environmental garden. There are plans to include the seniors in some of the activities we have in that area, including their 54th birthday,” Mr Lyon said.
Several of the Tongala senior members travel to the town from Stanhope and Kyabram, and the club is hoping the primary school relationship promotes a membership increase.
“We are using our Facebook messaging and the newsletter to promote the club, which will hopefully end up in more grandparents and great-grandparents joining the Tongala seniors,” Mr Lyon said.
The project involves the preparation of between 14 and 20 meals for the seniors and last week’s menu sounded delicious: devilled sausages and lots of vegetables.
Bangers and mash: Amber Schmedje and Ace McKenzie with the devilled sausages, mashed potato and vegetables that were on the menu for members of Tongala Senior Citizens at last week’s lunch.
