Strathdon Community resident Brian Griffin had long-dreamed of riding the Spirit of Tasmania back to the place he lived as a young man.
As a child, Brian travelled on the Taruna ship, then as a newlywed he rode the Princess of Tasmania and the Hydroplane out of Port Welshpool, but he’d never had the opportunity to travel on the Spirit of Tasmania.
As the years wore on, he felt that dream drift further and further out of reach. By the time he turned 80, Brian was sure the Spirit of Tasmania ride would remain only a dream.
That was until Leisure and Lifestyle Coordinator Matt Daley submitted a nomination to the Uniting AgeWell Wishing Well program earlier this year.
The Wishing Well program helps people achieve their dreams – from walking the hallowed turf of the MCG or a reunion with friends, to riding on a steam train or a romantic Valentine’s dinner.
Uniting AgeWell was able to grant Brian’s wish in May.
Matt said he and Brian travelled overnight on the Spirit of Tasmania and spent a day touring the north-west of the island state before their return journey.
“When we pulled away from the dock at Melbourne on the Wednesday night, Brian really enjoyed looking back at the city lights.”
“He was really interested in looking at the way the boat was structured on the outside deck, enjoyed the smorgasbord for dinner and slept really well that night.”
It’s a good thing Brian slept so well, because after arriving in Devonport at 5.45am, the pair embarked on an action-packed 12-hour self-guided tour of north Tasmania.
They drove to Stanley on the west coast, taking in sights along the way including an antique car exhibition at Wynyard, a stop at Brian’s uncle’s old butcher shop in Smithton, and a café in Penguin owned by the niece of a fellow Strathdon resident.
A special moment came when they stopped at Summerset, Brian’s home as a young man.
“He hadn’t been there for about 50 years and we were able to track down his old house,” Matt said.
“It was really special for him to see where he lived and look at how the street had changed. He really enjoyed reminiscing about the good old days.”
After returning from the whirlwind trip, Brian told Uniting AgeWell how grateful he was.
“My wish was to go on the Spirit of Tasmania and what I received was so much more than that,” he said.
“The icing on the cake was to share the experience with Matt.”
Brian’s wish, and so many others like it, are made possible through corporate sponsorships and participating teams at Uniting AgeWell’s Annual Charity Golf Day, as well as donors who contribute to the Wishing Well appeal.