Turning blocks of wood into beautiful bowls and other cherished items, painting works of art, crafts and games, bus trips, exercising, podiatry and physical rehab – it’s all happening at the Hawthorn AgeWell Centre.
When John Pesutto, Liberal Candidate for Hawthorn (pictured left), popped in to visit and enjoy a shared brunch with Uniting AgeWell clients and staff at the centre, he was amazed at the buzz of activity in every corner of the restored historic church building in Elgin Street - including those getting ready to head off on the bus to Brighton for a luncheon excursion.
There are around 200 clients who regularly visit the AgeWell Centre, and with a vast array of activities on offer, there’s a whole lot on the go – even with the various sessions restricted to a maximum of ten people to ensure a COVID-safe environment.
John was regaled with many stories including how a Men’s Shed participant created a swan version of a rocking horse for his beautiful Swan Princess granddaughter; how another built a high-chair for a dog with swallowing problems which needed to be fed sitting upright; and how they’re busy making tactile wooden hearts and crosses for end-of-life patients at a hospital.
“We live in an ageing population,” John said, “and it’s wonderful to see so much positivity and such an impressive array of activities on offer.”
John said he wished there were more centres like the Uniting AgeWell Centre in Hawthorn, and confessed that while he last did woodwork at school, he could see himself many decades down the line thoroughly enjoying working in the Men’s Shed here.
“There’s something enormously satisfying about creating a beautiful object out of wood,” John explained.
Take retired civil engineer Maurice Lowe, who has fashioned a beautiful Blackwood fruit bowl for Joan, the widow of one of the Men’s Shed volunteers, Kevin Field.
“It just needs to be polished, it should come out a beautiful red,” Maurice explained. The 75-year-old has attended the centre for the last five years and gets great joy in working with his hands – and also chatting with all the friends he’s made there.
Patrick Francis has attended the centre for the last three years. The retired engineer loves creating tables and bits and pieces for his children and grand-children. He was born in India, worked most of his life in the UK, moved to Australia in 1981 and said he thoroughly enjoyed working in the well-equipped Men’s Shed which boasts a tool for just about anything and everything participants want to make. The shed has also attracted a number of women, including one who repurposed an old chair as an attractive wall hanging for plants.
Retired carpenter Pete Slattery (pictured) has volunteered at the Men’s Shed for the last five years. The 80-year-old enjoys passing on his skills to clients, and loves seeing the sheer joy on their faces when they restore broken furniture and create beautiful objects.
“You’re never too old to volunteer,” he explained. “We are put on this earth to help others; it’s wonderful to be able to help older people thoroughly enjoy themselves and learn new skills.”
There’s a lot of that going on in the centre – which offers both social connections as well as allied health services – a specialised seniors gym, exercise physiology, podiatry, physiotherapy and more. A new acquisition is a state-of-the-art podiatry chair.
One of those who is getting her body strength back is Sally Millman, who has been attending the centre for the last three years. She loves going on walks, and has been working out with Exercise Physiotherapist Callum DiPierdomenico.
Callum says Sally’s body strength has increased a lot, and she’s now “fighting fit.”
Liz and Roger were also exercising under the supervision of Allied Health Assistant Grace La Scala. They enjoy coming to the centre not only for the work outs but for the camaraderie and friendship.
And with activities on four days a week, there’s no shortage of things to do.
“Aged care is evolving,” explained Paul Warwick, Director Uniting AgeWell Centres, who says the Government is focussing on enabling more older people to live well at home for as long as possible.
“There will be an emphasis on an even greater streamlining of aged care services - home care packages, Commonwealth Home Support Programme services, including allied health services and respite care, which Uniting AgeWell has already been doing. Of course, all of our services are supported by our research into best practice, technology and mobility and other aides to support living well at home.”
