Timeless tales of independence and support
Building health, memories and dreams – three inspiring stories.
Building good health … and miniature houses.
It takes a steady hand and a lot of patience to build an intricate dolls house or bird box, complete with all the trimmings. Margaret and her husband Gordon from New South Wales are mastering their craft. One elaborate dollhouse took more than 200 hours to complete.
A hobby which started 10 years ago has now produced several family heirlooms, passed down to their 10 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren. Both 87 years of age, Margaret and Gordon believe these delicate and ornate projects are the perfect activity to keep their minds and bodies active.
After 25 years, their home and garden are a big part of their daily routine. To help the couple remain at home, Margaret receives some extra support under her Home Care Package by way of domestic assistance, gardening, Lite n’ Easy meals and podiatry.
“It’s lovely because we have three of the bird houses we’ve built in our garden and we watch the birds visit every morning,” Margaret said.
Living in the house of Sir Donald Bradman
Yvonne, a cherished member of the Gorokan Activity Centre, fondly recalls her childhood days spent at 52 Shepherd Street, Bowral, NSW – the very house where Sir Donald Bradman grew up.
“Each time my mother went outside, she touched the water tank,” Yvonne said.
“When I asked her why, my mother said ‘Don Bradman lived here’.” It was this water tank that has become legendary to cricket fanatics around the country. By hitting against this tank for countless hours from the age of three to 15, Bradman honed his cricket skills as the ball rebounded at high speed and varying angles. It sharpened his timing and reactions to an exceptional level. 'The Don' as he was known, went on to become one of the most celebrated batsmen in cricket history, retiring from international cricket with an astonishing average of 99.9 runs per test.
Merry, a volunteer at Gorokan Activity Centre, discovered the house Yvonne (and earlier Sir Don) had lived in, had been fully restored and was up for sale, at an asking price of $2 million.
Merry surprised Yvonne with some enlarged photos of the interior and exterior of the house. Yvonne couldn’t believe that it looked exactly how she remembered, bringing back lots of childhood memories and tears of joy.
Never too old to tick things off the ‘bucket list’
Flying high at 83, Alan from New South Wales takes to the sky in a gyrocopter firm in the belief that you only live once!
Alan is no stranger to adventure, having skydived and sailed in his younger years, but said it takes more determination to do things that are out of the ordinary as you get older.
“It’s too easy to just sit around home,” Alan said. “Life is what you make it and sometimes you really have to push yourself.”
Alan has been the passenger on three gyrocopter flights and has even taken control of the joystick and flown himself. While the 83-year-old is in need of a knee replacement, he enjoys outings on his new mobility scooter, funded by his Home Care Package with integratedliving. Alan’s knees won’t stop him from flying.
“It’s really easy to get into a gyrocopter as it’s the same height as a car. I’d recommend it to anyone,” Alan said. “The view from up high is amazing. I’ve seen whales, dolphins, sharks and schools of fish.”
Alan’s mother lived until the age of 103, still able to do her own shopping as a centenarian. “I hope I have her good genes and live that long. I have a lot more more flying to do,” Alan said.