Community
2 July, 2026
Building connections
THE opportunity to see life through someone else’s eyes has helped Terang College students forge lasting connections between young and old.
Terang College Year 11 students have spent the past three years meeting with members of Terang and Mortlake Health Service’s (TMHS) Social Support Group as part of an initiative to bridge the gap between generations.
The Social Support Group is designed to help older people living in the region build new friendships through group activities, gentle exercise and education sessions on topics surrounding wellbeing.
As part of the initiative, called ‘This is Your Life’, students meet with the members of the group weekly at the Josie Black Community Health Centre.
Each week the students and group members enjoy activities together, such as painting, while learning more about each other – from their upbringing to cherished memories.
Last Wednesday the students invited group members into the school for a special morning tea, featuring presentations the students had put together detailing all they had learned about their new friends.
Among the presenters was Year 11 students Ellex Harvey and Millie Castersen, who showcased the life of long-time Terang resident Kath Cahill.
Mrs Cahill’s life began in Terang 92 years ago, where she moved around the district including Scotts Creek and Timboon but found herself missing the days she would walk down to the creek in Dixie to swim away the heat.
She left school at 14 looking to pursue her love of looking after children and became a domestic worker.
After finding a love of cooking, Mrs Cahill also went on to work in the kitchen at the Terang Pub.
A beaming Mrs Cahill watched on as Ellex and Millie recounted how they had learned having a family of her own would grow to become Mrs Cahill’s greatest achievement, having seven children, 17 grandchildren and 30 great grandchildren, with more on the way.
“It was lovely,” she said.
“They did such a great job, going back years and years ago.
“I gave them photos from over the years, including the old place I used to live in out at Ecklin.”
Ellex said she enjoyed her time spent with Mrs Cahill, learning about her life and piecing together the presentation.
“The first few weeks we went to the Josie Black Community Centre, just playing games and getting to know them,” she said.
“Then we picked our partners, sitting down with questions to ask them.
“As the weeks went on, we slowly put together our presentation.”
Ellex said she felt the project was beneficial for everyone involved.
“I think it’s important younger kids understand what it’s like to grow up,” she said.
“At the same time, it is good for the older people to have some company and have something different which is outside their normal routines.”
Millie said the initiative between the school and health service meant as much to the students as it does to members of the Social Support Group.
“We love spending time with them and playing games, we enjoy doing activities with them and learning about them,” she said.
“They don’t get out as much as they used to, so it’s good to have some other people they can talk to.
“It obviously brings joy to them.”
Terang College teacher Matthew Murray said he was proud of what the students had accomplished.
“The day came together after they worked with their person to learn about their life as part of an intergenerational project,” he said.
“It was a student-led decision to put on a morning tea for them, to celebrate their time together, and show their appreciation.
“The presentations were just fantastic.
“Our students put a lot of work into them and, once they get up there to present, they can see all of that work throughout the term which is coming together in the end.
“They might not see all the work they’re doing while they’re working in stages, but when they see it all tying off at the end they can really see how phenomenal what they present is.”
Mr Murray said the initiative was a highlight for students who have the chance to build their social skills and see life from a new perspective.
“The project has been running over the past three years with Terang College and TMHS,” he said.
“The students go down each week, hang out with and learn about their buddies, and write down their life story.
“I think a lot of people see it as a really strong emotional and social connection.
“The best part about it is the students go down the street, they see their person outside of school hours and stop to say g’day.
“This is a small community so it brings a point of connection between the students and the participants.”
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