Nursing home residents join hands with students to knit beanies for Aussie troops in Afghanistan

AUSTRALIAN troops in Afghanistan will soon be wearing beanies knitted by residents of the Quakers Hill Nursing Home and students from St John Paul II Catholic College.

Students from St John Paul II and residents of Quakers Hill Nursing Home knitting beanies for Australian troops. Pictures: Carmela Roche

• Anzac Bridge look for Rouse Hill rail bridge
• Massive response for Hills charity event

AUSTRALIAN troops in Afghanistan will soon be wearing beanies knitted by residents of the Quakers Hill Nursing Home and students from St John Paul II Catholic College.

The beanies are being created each Thursday by eight students — one also goes there on her own time — under the guidance of three experienced knitters. St John Paul II Catholic College is involved with community issues throughout the year.

The Year 9 and 11 students Babandeep Kaur, 14, Louise Currenti, 15, Hayley Ford, 14, Nikita Sondermeyer, 15, Georgina Davies, 16, Helena Naisara, 16, Jenna Ribaya, 16, and Taisia Mavritsky, 16, have been busy during terms one and two not only learning to knit but also building new friendships at the home.

Phyllis Pereira helps a student from St John Paul II with her knitting.

The program is supervised by 92-year-old Kathleen Freeman, 86-year-old Ruth Johnsson and 78-year-old Phyllis Pereira who are helping the students.

Teacher Lauren Zmijewski said the students have learnt much from their work while student musician Louise Currenti, who practices martial arts, loves it so much she is spending her free time on Thursday afternoons to knit more beanies.

“I have been knitting at the nursing home for more than six months now and it took me a week to get the hang of it,” Louise said.

Georgina Davies, Kathleen Freeman and Louse Curreti have fun knitting beanies.

“I love the interaction with the residents and learning about their lives and Kathleen, who helps us with the knitting, does not look or feel her age.”

According to Lauren Zmijewski, the beanies will be sent to the troops in Afghanistan as soon as there are enough made.

Hayley Ford, Kathleen Freeman, Georgina Davies and Louse Curreti are busy knitting for Australian troops..

“The nursing home is providing the wool and there are three residents involved with helping our students,” Miss Zmijewski said.

“The time our students spend with the nursing home is something they value very much and which look forward to each week.

“We hope to continue the project throughout the year.

“The residents want the students to start knitting teddy bears once the beanies are completed.”