Blue Haven Terralong residents and children from Kiama Family Before/After School Care (Family OOSH) could not keep the smiles off their faces as they formed friendships with each other in Kiama’s Community Garden.

Aware of the positive benefits of intergenerational relationships, Sabrina Kelly, who runs Family OOSH, pushed for the two groups to get together last week ahead of the Seniors Festival. It follows a similar initiative last year by Kiama Public.

“One thing I found is a lot of these children come to care because their grandparents are interstate or overseas," says Sabrina.

"They have really missed the opportunity to connect with older Australians and form friendships with people not of our own generation and I feel like that is a great loss.

“I wanted children to connect with them, make friendships and see that older people have a lot to contribute.”

The two groups were partnered up to help to get to know each other, painting rocks and sitting around the table to eat sausages donated by Butcher’s Nook, fresh handpicked produce from the garden and dessert by Flower Water Salt.

One friendship was made between Zane and resident George Robertson (above) whilst participating in rock painting together.

Zane says he enjoyed hearing about what the seniors used to do and learnt that George was once a ukulele player.

“It’s beautiful,” George said at the time. 

“Zane here has been telling me all about different things - he plays the guitar and now I know he’s an artist. The children these days are out of this world and getting out amongst them is a wonderful thing.”

Hayley and Samara enjoyed meeting Janet

President of the Community Garden, Joe Carter, says this is what the garden is all about.

“The Community Garden is about caring for people and the community and this is just an expression of that, getting the young and old together sharing experiences and broadening connections. It’s just wonderful for the garden itself and the people involved,” Joe says.

Blue Haven Manager of Community Services, Marianna Parish, says, “It was lovely to see the residents interacting with the younger generation and everyone working and laughing together.”

Sabrina hopes the event is not a one time thing but a regular get together.