Melville Cares & Western Suburbs Cares - The Heart of Community Care

14/09/2026

“Your superannuation is irrelevant to your estate, and your will doesn’t cover it.”

Join Catherine Ashton and Professor Prue Vines as they explore the latest Critical Info Don't Be Caught Dead podcast: Fight to Be Buried on Country.

Learn important things about wills, superannuation, executors, burial wishes and planning for the people we leave behind.
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/19VqmmnKok/

New episode is live.
Professor Prue Vines joins me to unpack what a will actually does, why appointing an executor is more powerful than most people realise, and why around sixty percent of burial disputes that reach Australian courts involve an Aboriginal family.
We get into DIY wills, super, probate, and Prue's decades of work developing culturally appropriate wills for Indigenous Australians.
Season 3, Episode 114 is out now on Don't Be Caught Dead. Link in bio.

10/09/2026

Meet the Barbaras — friends who provide a listening ear and a shoulder to cry on. Their story is a reminder that you don’t need to be an expert to reach out to someone.

Today on R U OK? Day, take a moment to check in with the people around you.

Ask R U OK?
Listen
Encourage action
Check in

A simple conversation could make a world of difference.
https://www.ruok.org.au/meet-the-barbaras

Three women, all named Barbara, have an incredible friendship filled with lots of laughter. They provide each other with a listening ear and a shoulder to lean on when times get tough.

05/09/2026

Happy Father's Day to all the dads and granddads in our community! Enjoy your day.

01/09/2026

🌸 Spring has arrived! 🌷

And so has our Spring Newsletter!

Inside this edition, you’ll find heart-warming stories of friendship and connection, including our special Pen Pal Program, along with useful services information, community events and plenty of reasons to celebrate the people who make our community so special.
https://melvillecares.org.au/wp-content/uploads/Cares-Connect-Spring-Newsletter-2026.pdf

26/08/2026

We were delighted to welcome Rentwest to the Friendship Club for the third year running – and what a perfect day it was to have guests!

It was a full house for morning tea, followed by plenty of action outdoors with lawn bowls, ten-pin bowling, quoits and bean bag toss. Lots of laughter and fun!

We are so grateful to the team at Rentwest, who not only provided a delicious lunch but also brought friendship, kindness, great company and a wonderful community spirit to the day.

We look forward to welcoming you back again next year!

24/08/2026

Romnic brought skill, curiosity and a thoughtful approach to a topic that was unfamiliar and, at times, emotionally sensitive. His contribution helped us turn complex information into engaging resources that will continue to support older adults, carers and families.
The McCusker Centre for Citizenship at UWA

Romnic Stephen didn’t expect his internship to focus on end‑of‑life planning, but the experience showed him how digital skills can support real community needs.

19/08/2026

Team Leader Matt consistently goes above and beyond to support his team and our clients. Matt is approachable, reliable and ready to lend a hand.

As well as leading his team, Matt is always willing to step in and help out. Whether he’s driving the Friendship Club bus, supporting Home Garden and Maintenance services or pitching in at events, Matt is always there to lend a hand. He also enjoys sharing his knowledge and experience with new team members and takes pride in helping the team stay well equipped and ready to support our clients.

Thank you, Matt, for your dedication, teamwork and the care you bring to everything you do. We’re lucky to have you as part of the Melville Cares and Western Suburbs team!

13/08/2026

Young people aren’t waiting until tomorrow to make a difference! They’re already supporting their communities by finding meaningful ways to volunteer that reflect their interests, values and experiences.

High school students Hannah and Grace have been friends since kindy. When Hannah needed to complete her school community volunteering hours, Grace decided to join her at the Melville Friends Christmas in July Dinner.

“I really enjoyed my volunteering experience because I got to spend time with people in the community, have conversations with them and help out wherever I could," says Hannah. "It was really nice knowing that even the little things I did could make someone feel happier."

“I really loved my volunteering experience at the Melville Friends Christmas in July Dinner!” adds Grace. “I met lots of lovely people and had some really interesting conversations with them. It felt really good to do something like this, and I would love to do it again.”

They had such a great time that they’re already planning their next volunteering opportunities with Melville Cares.

Thanks, Hannah and Grace for bringing lots of smiles, enthusiasm and kindness to our Friends Group. Happy National Youth Volunteer Week!
Volunteering WA Volunteering Australia

12/08/2026

Ananya is volunteering with Melville Cares as part of The McCusker Centre for Citizenship at UWA, where she helps with outings, Friendship Dinner Club events and ideas for activities.

“What I love most about it is getting to chat with clients and hear their stories,” says Ananya. “It's given me a completely different appreciation for how much a simple outing or dinner can mean to someone. It's also taught me a lot about planning things properly.”

Ananya’s placement has been very grounding for her. “It's easy to get caught up in assignments and forget why any of it matters,” she adds. “Being here reminds me.”

As part of National Youth Volunteer Week, we’re continuing to celebrate the wonderful young people like Ananya who bring their time, energy and fresh ideas to our community. Thank you all for supporting our Melville Cares community with kindness, care and enthusiasm.
Volunteering Australia Volunteering WA

10/08/2026

This week we’re celebrating National Youth Volunteer Week - recognising the energy, ideas and impact young volunteers bring to communities across Australia.

Jolin supports Melville Cares as part of her Masters in Social Work and The McCusker Centre for Citizenship at UWA.

“What I love most about Melville Cares is the atmosphere – it truly feels like one big, welcoming family!" says Jolin. "Everyone on the team is so supportive, approachable and always ready to offer guidance whenever I have a question."

One of the highlights so far has been spending time at our Friendship Club, helping with activities and getting to know clients.

“The clients and staff are incredibly warm and kind, creating such an enjoyable and supportive environment that my placement here hardly feels like work!” adds Jolin.

“I’m so grateful for the opportunity to learn and grow alongside such a wonderful community.”

We’re grateful for the enthusiasm, kindness and fresh perspective Jolin and our young volunteers bring to Melville Cares.

Stay tuned as we share more volunteer stories throughout the week!
Volunteering WA Volunteering Australia