Months of conversation has woven together the stories of several generations culminating in a touching gift of love and respect for an older First Nations aged care resident. 

Isabel Potter, a student at MacKillop Catholic College and an emerging Aboriginal leader presented the necklace made from traditional shells to Janet Swan, a resident at Uniting AgeWell Mornington Community Lillian Martin during NAIDOC Week celebrations at the site.   

Janet is a direct descendant of iconic Aboriginal Elder Fanny Cochrane Smith (1834-1905) considered to be the last fluent speaker of the Flinders Island lingua franca, and thus the Tasmanian languages.  

The students, who have been taking part in an intergenerational program at the aged care community, also performed a Welcome to Country in the traditional language of the Palawa people. Their performance mirrors this year’s NAIDOC Week theme of ‘The next generation, strength vision and legacy’. 

Uniting AgeWell’s Residential Services Manager Vicki Mills says the poignant ceremony – which was followed by morning tea – honoured not only Aboriginal people but the beautiful intergenerational bond that residents share with these young students.  

“Both young and old say their lives have been enriched by this experience, with friendships forged that will last long after the final school bell sounds for the year,” says Vicki. 

The intergenerational school program is titled Echoes of Grace: A Journey Through a Tough Time and teacher Sue Howard says a key component is gathering the rich histories of the residents to create personalised books for them and their families.   

Sue says this not only honours the lives of the residents but also provides students with a deeper appreciation for the diverse experiences that shape our community. 

The students regularly visit the residents and engage in deep conversations with them in order to write up their biographies, due to be presented to them at the end of the year.   

It was during the many conversations between Janet and Isabel – an artist who loves making jewellery – that the beautiful link with the shells was discovered.  

Photos of Janet’s family with a direct five-generational bloodline to Fanny Cochrane Smith show the women wearing beautiful shell necklaces.  

One of Janet’s daughters, Sharon Swan, regularly visits her mum and became involved in the conversations with the students.  Sharon’s partner is well-known Elder John Dickson, whose late mother Leonie Dickson was a famous artist from the Flinders Island mob.  Leonie’s weaving, baskets and shell necklaces are displayed in both national and international art collections.  She exhibited widely in Tasmania including at the Living History Museum of Aboriginal Cultural Heritage.  

John inherited his family’s collection of traditional shells.  Many resemble pearls, with each bearing a hole that has been painstakingly chiselled out to allow it to be threaded.  John gifted most of the shells to Sharon, who in turn gave some to her mum to give to Isabel to make the necklace. 

Isabel is passionate about making jewellery – her work has been on display both in Launceston and Hobart this year in an exhibition entitled ArtRage. 

Sharon says her mum is an inspiration to her family.  Janet was widowed young and raised her five children on her own, working multiple jobs to make ends meet.  “She’d always take us on adventures when we were kids,” laughs Sharon.  “She’d bundle us up in the car, pack a picnic lunch and off we’d go to the country for the day.” 

Sharon says her mum moved into Lillian Martin several months ago and is thoroughly enjoying life there.  “She takes part in every single activity that’s on the go.  Bus trips, artwork, lawn bowls and Zumba.  She even does karate!” explains Sharon.  “She’s made some lovely friends.”