Respect Aged Care

02/03/2026

🥇 Bayview Haven hosted its own Olympics! It started in official form - with a torch relay. Residents and staff lined up in the hall, cheering as it was passed from one pair of hands to the next before arriving at the decked out “arena.”

From there, the competition began. Winter Olympic season aside, they added in some swimming races (without the pool), gymnastics challenges and a volleyball match.

Everyone from the sidelines offered commentary, encouragement and occasional strategic advice. Medals were presented at the end of the afternoon....hard earned and proudly received. 🥇

Great work team Bayview!

27/02/2026

🏆 Two of Australia’s most recognisable sporting trophies made a special stop at Lyndoch Living recently.

Residents and community clients gathered for stories, photos and a rare chance to see sporting history up close. The visit caught the attention of the Warrnambool Weekly, who shared the story with the wider community:

THERE was plenty of gold on display at Lyndoch Living in Warrnambool recently when Paul Farley paid a visit.

26/02/2026

🪑✈ Things got a bit wild at Maleny Erowal when they launched off to Brazil for their armchair travel session!

The team brought the carnival to the big screen, everyone watched the celebrations unfold while enjoying acai smoothies and delicious snacks.

Residents held a rowdy parade through the home, wearing the colourful masks they created earlier in the week for the big occasion. There was music, dancing, and plenty of effort put into getting everyone involved and up and about! 😊

25/02/2026

There’s been a fresh sense of energy at Mitchell House this term, with the launch of Latrobe’s only Intergenerational Playgroup bringing families, toddlers, and residents together each week for shared activities, stories, and plenty of laughter.

Read the story here 👇

There’s been a fresh sense of energy at Mitchell House this term, with the launch of Latrobe’s only Intergenerational Playgroup bringing families, toddlers, and residents together each week for shared activities, stories, and plenty of laughter.

25/02/2026

🎂 A big happy 101st birthday to Iris, who calls Lyrebird Village home.

Last week, she marked the milestone with her son and daughter, and their much-loved dog who joined in on the celebration. Family, staff and fellow residents gathered around to sing as Iris proudly cut her birthday cake. 😊

A special day for a very special woman. Happy Birthday, Iris! 🎉

24/02/2026

For a couple of years, letters have been travelling between Autumn Lodge and Eungai Public School, envelopes arriving addressed to each resident with thoughtful questions and drawings or photos tucked inside.

The student exchange letter program pairs primary school students with residents, and it's become such a lovely part of life here at our home.

Residents take their time replying. They share memories, answer questions, and sometimes include stories about their life.

When new letters arrive, there’s always much interest in who has written and what news they’ve shared. It's also a fantastic conversation opener.

By all reports, the students look forward to their letters just as much as our residents do! 💌

23/02/2026

🎬 At Cooinda, everyone stepped into Hollywood for the day!

Residents put their movie knowledge to the test with a soundtrack quiz. They were impressively speedy to recognise iconic opening notes and confident in their answers. We had special appearances from Doris Day, Audrey Hepburn, paparazzi and camera operators 😄

A Hollywood-inspired lunch followed, before everyone wound down to watch some classic blockbusters, alongside popcorn and sparkling drinks. Residents enjoyed chatting about their favourite actors throughout the eras, and plenty of new recommendations are now on the list! 🥂

20/02/2026

Scarecrow Champions Strike Again 🏆

Just 20 minutes down the road from Bayview Haven in Portland, the little town of Tyrendarra hosts its annual Pastoral & Agricultural Show.

In the lead up, our creative residents get busy planning their entries for the big event. There are so many creations that they always have a hard task of selecting the best pieces to enter. This year they submitted beadwork, papercraft, scrapbooking, recycled artwork, and two scarecrows.

Now, about those scarecrows... 👀 They’re slightly outrageous and have been known to catch a few people off guard if they turn the corner too quickly and come face to face with “Sir Tom the Minion”! 😄

We’re proud to share that the team brought home multiple 1st and 2nd prizes, which marks the SIXTH consecutive year our scarecrows have placed in the top two! 🙌

Next year's ideas currently already being discussed. Congratulations to everyone involved.

19/02/2026

At Baw Baw Views, it was a battle of the blocks when staff brought out the ever-entertaining Jenga game and let everyone loose! There were steady hands, serious planning, plenty of commentary around strategy and precision.

The laughter when the tower toppled down could probably have been heard down the main street 😄 This is such a great game to keep minds active and encourage interaction.

Residents have also been enjoying their regular morning group walks, and always look forward to their Friday happy hour which is a great chance to unwind and socialise. 🥂

19/02/2026

💐 100 years of service, family and hard work

Beth was born on 23 January 1924 in Ingham, North Queensland, with the given name Ethel but known affectionately as Beth. She was the second child of Bill and Zenobia and grew up in Macknade, where her father managed a farm while her mother cared for the children. Today, Beth lives at Ingham Lodge, remaining closely connected to the community where her story began.

She attended school in Macknade and Halifax until grade 7. Beth enjoyed sport and remembers making her own fun. She recalls riding a kerosene tin in floodwater, travelling to the pictures in a dinghy and watching silent films while her mother read the dialogue aloud for her father.

Beth’s mother passed away when she was young. At 16 she went to work for the Benton family helping with the house and caring for their three children Ann, Henry and Margaret. She remembers Henry jumping out the window to avoid a bath and having to sit on him to trim his fingernails.

At 18 Beth joined the Australian Army where she served for 2½ years as an ACAC. She said she was a Gunner in the Artillery with the 3.7 guns. The men fired them and the ladies took care of the equipment. She was in charge of the fuse and worked on the predictor system for firing. ANZAC Day is important to her. Her father served in the First World War and both she and her husband served in the Second World War. She says she would have stayed longer if she had not married.

Beth married Benjamen (Benny) at the Methodist Church in Ingham. They had known each other since childhood and she says there was no formal proposal and that it was more of an agreement. After the wedding they travelled to Tully for their honeymoon before settling in Macknade. They raised four daughters Vicky, Wilma, Kay and Gail. Beth remembers her neighbour Lenny helping by pushing Kay and Gail in the pram when she needed a break. Benny has since passed away but Beth has seen her daughters grow, her grandchildren grow and now her great grandchildren. She is proud of her family.

Fishing has always been important to Beth. She had her own punt with a 6hp motor and spent many hours on Gentle Annie Creek with her dog Honey and two friends. The family also had a hut on the creek where she spent much of her time.

Beth describes herself as a larrikin who enjoys a joke and a good laugh. She says she is a down to earth Australian woman who has worked hard. She values family and enjoys a chat.

Her advice for a long life is simple. “Be nice, have a nip of brandy and exercise.”

18/02/2026

Residents at Wattleglen were treated to another visit from the team at Cycling Without Age, who are a not-for-profit charity connecting those no longer able to ride for themselves by giving them rides on trishaw ebikes, piloted by volunteers. These activities offer such a fantastic opportunity for residents to have fun while enjoying some fresh air out and about in the community. The smiles say it all!

17/02/2026

Residents and staff at Bayview Haven came together to celebrate a baby shower for two of our team members, Shakira and Ebony, who are both soon expecting baby boys! Our catering team prepared a delicious morning tea and the guessing game had everyone engaged - residents discussed their favourite baby names and made predictions on arrival dates and birth weights. Residents also shared memories from their own lives, and it was lovely to hear their stories. 😊

We wish Shakira and Ebony all the very best as they prepare to welcome their little ones 💐