Gawler Social Group Celebrate Easter the European Way

Last week at Resthaven Northern Community Services, clients got a head start on their Easter celebrations by sharing a popular European tradition with the group.

On Friday 26 March, the Gawler social group received a hefty egg delivery from the Barossa Farmers Market, ready to use for a festive purpose.

"Many of our clients are European, and it is a tradition in a lot of European countries to hard-boil a bunch of eggs for Easter in a specific way," says Resthaven Northern Community Services Assistant Manager, Kelly Ainsworth.

"We learnt a lot from clients who reminisced on the tradition, teaching the rest of us to start with white eggs and brown onion skins."

"We wrapped the eggs in brown onion skins and a white muslin cloth, tied it with string and boiled the egg which allows the skins to colour the eggs."

Clients were encouraged to experiment with their eggs, with some placing a flower on top before wrapping them.

"Clients helped remove the skins from the onions, which prompted a discussion about how to stop your eyes from crying when peeling them! An interesting discussion indeed."

As clients worked on their eggs, clients and staff alike shared some of their family Easter traditions with the group.

"One client decided the finished product was worth eating straight away. He is the only one pictured without an egg!"

"It was a fun activity that also allowed much reminiscing and festive chat amongst the group, which is what the social support groups are all about."

Resthaven Northern Community Services has recently received some growth funding under CHSP for Flexible Respite, catered to CALD clients living in the Barossa.

"We will be commencing a group that will operate from the Gawler office once a week for approximately six clients."

"We are looking forward to starting the group at the end of April, and for it to be based on what clients want to do during this time."

Established in 1935, Resthaven is a South Australian not-for-profit aged care community service associated with the Uniting Church in Australia.

Every day, Resthaven shares the lives and wisdom of older people and their carers, opening doors to the full range of aged care service options available.

Services are provided throughout metropolitan Adelaide, the Adelaide Hills, Murraylands, Riverland, Fleurieu Peninsula, lower Barossa region and the Limestone Coast of South Australia.