There were laughs aplenty when Mary MacKillop College students gathered to meet older members of the community during intergenerational high school program Rite Now! in Adelaide, reports The Southern Cross.

The Meals on Wheels SA program was launched through Sacred Heart College in 2023.

It is based on the Australian Institute for Intergenerational Practice and ABC television show Old Folks Home for Teenagers and is an opportunity to break down age related stereotypes, build connection and improve wellbeing.

*Year 9 Mary MacKillop College Kensington student Makayla and Sr Veronica Slattery rsj test their juggling skills. PHOTO": The Southern Cross.*

Aimed at Year 9 students, the program kicked off with written communication, followed by face-to-face catch ups and bonding exercises including juggling with handmade juggling balls.

Participants included old scholars, community members, Meals on Wheels customers and a number of Sisters, some of whom have a long history with Mary MacKillop College.

Among them, was Sr Meg Goodfellow who taught at Mary MacKillop in her “youth”.

“I have lovely memories from my time here. It was long enough to see students come in as young girls and leave as young women,” Sr Meg said.

“A lot of things like subject choices have changed over the years.”

Sr Meg grew up north of the Barossa Valley at Bagot Well.

“You won’t even find it on the map,” she said.

“It was a railway siding; a one-teacher school. The end of an era. When it closed, it had only seven pupils. Then I went to Cabra.”

Year 9 student Adriana said she’d like to gain career advice from the older participants.

“I’m hoping to ask Meg and the other ladies how to think about a career path and what to do after school,” Adriana said.

“At this stage, I’d like to be a primary school PE teacher”.

St Joseph’s old scholar Sr Veronica Slattery rsj also took part.

“I’m 85 years old and I’ve had 65 years of religious life,” Sr Veronica said.

“Chatting via the email in the lead-up to meeting the students was very good. I’m enjoying this program. I think all the girls are wonderful, I’m so proud of them. Now when we go to Mass, we’ll recognise them.”

Year 9 Mary MacKillop College Kensington students with a new intergenerational friend.

For student Anne, who moved to Australia from Sri Lanka in January, the program was a chance to experience the wisdom older generations can bring.

“I don’t have grandparents here. They’re in Sri Lanka so it’s been nice to take part,” she said. Fellow student Isabella agreed: “I’ve loved getting to meet new older friends. The only other older people I know are my grandparents.”

Makayla also enjoyed meeting people from different backgrounds. “The older ladies know a lot more than us,” she said.

For Grace Dezolt who grew up in Argentina and moved to Australia when she was 24, the program was a chance to reminisce and share life experience.

“I left grandparents behind, but we left because we hoped things would be better here,” Grace said.

“I’ve liked meeting new people and learning more about them and learning about their experiences. Isabella is Italian and Anne is from Sri Lanka and it’s been very nice hearing about their backgrounds. It makes me think back to the days when I was their age.”

This article by Katie Spain was published in The Southern Cross, the publication of the Archdiocese of Adelaide.