Diwali at Daceyville

November 04, 2024

All smiles … staff with resident Joy 

In a heartwarming celebration of culture and community, staff at our Daceyville home celebrated Diwali, the Festival of Lights, with traditional costumes, music, twinkling lights and dancing.

With around 80 per cent of the team hailing from Nepal, the event was a beautiful blend of tradition and togetherness, bringing joy to residents and caregivers alike.

The highlight of the celebration was the staff dressing up in traditional Nepalese costumes and performing special dances, captivating the residents with their graceful movements and intricate choreography.

Pictured above: Celebrating Diwali together with a warm ‘Namaste’ from resident Paul and Anjali

Residents responded with enthusiastic applause, some even joining staff on the makeshift dancefloor, hand-in-hand, their faces illuminated by beaming smiles.

For many of the caregivers, the journey to Australia meant leaving their families behind. In turn, the residents have become a surrogate family, offering a profound sense of belonging and emotional support.

“It’s wonderful to be able to share our culture and traditions with the residents, we are very grateful that SCC not only allows us, but encourages us, to celebrate our special festival with them,” a staff member said.

“Being so far from home, it’s comforting to not only be able to live out our culture but to do it in a workplace that feels like family.

Embracing diversity and tradition! Staff stand together dressed in beautiful cultural attire to celebrate Diwali

“The residents really are like our grandparents, we care for them, and they care for us, we have created such a very special bond.”

The residents, in turn, were delighted by the festivities and said they were a heartwarming reminder of how lucky they were to have such a diverse workforce caring for them.

“They bring so much love and happiness into our lives,” said resident Joy.

“It’s beautiful to see their traditions and to feel like we’re part of something bigger.

“They say we are their ‘adopted’ family, but I really don’t think they realise how strongly we feel the same.”

The Diwali celebration was more than just a festive gathering; it served as a powerful reminder of the connections that blossom through cultural exchange. In embracing and celebrating their differences, staff and residents alike have fostered an extraordinary bond that enriches their lives and strengthens their community.