Old friends reunited

A men’s group outing to the Australian Wooden Boat Festival turned into an unexpected reunion with a long-lost friend for 86-year-old Uniting AgeWell Lillian Martin Community resident Noel Jacobs.

Expecting to see a beautiful collection of wooden boats, thousands of people and an incredible range of local food, Noel was speechless when he spotted Captain Jim Butterworth at the historic Edwardian steam boat, the Preana.  

“I knew if the Preana was there, Jim would be there too and I recognised him immediately,” Noel said. 

Noel was completely overwhelmed and had tears in his eyes when reunited with his mate. 

“I wasn’t sure whether Jim would remember me so I just went up to him and said hello.  Thankfully he did and we reconnected like old mates.” 

The Preana was built by Hobart shipwright Robert Inches in 1896 to take Tasmanian flour miller William Gibson, also a wealthy parliamentarian, from his home at Lindisfarne to his mill at the Brooke Street pier.

It also escorted explorer Australian Douglas Mawson down the Derwent River before his famous expedition to Antarctica.

Lillian Martin Extended Care Assistant Dion Mead said Noel worked on the Preana after Jim bought it in the 1990s, replacing flooring and handrails and restoring the vessel to its former glory.  

“The Preana is the country’s oldest steam yacht still afloat and is on the Register of Historic Vessels,” Dion said.  “Noel is part of the yacht’s - and Tasmania’s - rich history.” 

Dion said men’s activities and outings were an important part of Uniting AgeWell’s lifestyle programs. 

“Men tend to be outnumbered by women in residential care so they can isolate themselves,” he said.

At Lillian Martin, we have a 60:40 ratio of women and men and try to provide activities that are inclusive to everyone.  However, we also provide men-specific activities that focus on their interests and that they will gravitate towards and enjoy.  It offers them a different perspective. 

Southern Tasmania Community Services Coordinator Lee Marsh said men’s activities were also an important part of the Cottage Club’s social calendar. 

Last month, men who receive a Home Care Package with Uniting AgeWell joined clients from the organisation’s Cottage Club Men’s Group to visit the Tasmanian Transport Museum, home of Tasmania’s largest collection of transport exhibits and related items, she said. 

“Many of our clients worked on the railways and drove trolley buses before retirement, so were particularly fascinated to see the collection of electric trams, trains, fire engines and how far transportation has come over the years,” Lee said. 

“We recognise men have different social needs and interests and incorporate activities that engage them and enable them to live and age well.”