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‘When she walks into the dining room, I say, “Here comes the queen!” ’
A recent feature in The Good Weekend magazine (Sydney Morning Herald/The Age) shared the extraordinary story of two residents at Mercy Place Fernhill. The enduring friendship enjoyed by Iris Palmington, 91, and Moira Scully, 89, speaks to the value of connection in later life and is a reminder of the importance of positive news stories related to the aged care agenda.
Moira and Iris first met as young women, but life soon carried them in different directions. Many decades later, they were reunited at Mercy Place, where their friendship has been rekindled and deepened, becoming a daily source of joy and strength. Moira and Iris can often be found side by side—sharing stories, supporting one another through challenges, and celebrating milestones, both large and small.
‘It’s nice that she knows the younger version of me, that I haven’t always been an old lady.’
Staff and residents alike have been inspired by their companionship, a reminder that aged care is not only about meeting physical needs, but also about fostering belonging and connection. The Good Weekend feature highlighted how a reunion in later life can reflect the very best of aged care—restoring not just dignity and wellbeing, but also the human bonds that give life meaning.
The national attention drawn by Moira and Iris’s story comes at a time when aged care in Australia is undergoing significant reform and scrutiny. Their friendship shows the human face of quality care: a place where people are supported not only to live safely but also to flourish emotionally, socially, and spiritually.
Mercy Health’s mission is to bring God’s mercy to those in need through compassionate and holistic care. Moira and Iris’s story is a powerful example of how that mission is lived out at Mercy Place—where residents, families, staff, and volunteers come together to create a community rooted in respect, dignity, and connection. In celebrating their reunion, we also celebrate the many lives touched by Mercy Health’s commitment to care in the community.
