Putting Lifelong Knitting Skills to Use to Assist With Bushfire Crisis

Bethanie, Western Australia’s most recognised not-for-profit aged care and retirement living provider works hard to ensure both staff and clients value the importance of social contributions, driving activities which are not part of Bethanie’s core business, but contribute greatly to the wellbeing of the community.

A number of wonderful clients across Bethanie’s Living Well Centre’s have been hard at work, putting their talents and skills with knitting to great use, making animal habitats and pouches for the affected wildlife in the bushfires across the country.

Alberta Muhr attends the Bethanie Port Kennedy Living Well Centre twice a week and has been crocheting bird nests for the native birds that have been affected in the Eastern States. 

So far, she has made 10 little birds’ nests which will be posted to WIRES (NSW Wildlife Information, Rescue and Education Service Inc.) soon.

Bethanie Port Kennedy Living Well Centre Coordinator Karen Fewster says, “Alberta has been crocheting all her life and enjoys making different things. Each time I tell her I’m going to post the nests she says to wait, because she will get more done over the weekend again.”

“What Alberta is doing is inspiring. We are proud to support her, offering help and guidance and the facilities to allow her to make such wonderful creations, being shared across our country to help the wildlife in need.”

Bethanie Living Well Centres, located across the state from Bunbury to Geraldton, engage with local communities to provide a valued social and therapy well-being service, enabling people to remain at home as they age with a focus on quality of life. They offer transport options as well as meals and refreshments and welcome people over the age of 55 from all backgrounds and cultures, also offering programs for people living with dementia.