The award-winning Gibraltar Care Village went ‘Down Under’ this week as staff and residents got together to celebrate Australia Day.
The new £10 million development is well known for its range of activities with residents. Australia Day marks the anniversary of the arrival of the First Fleet at Sydney in 1788 and the raising of the British flag there.
In the colder climates of Monmouthshire, residents celebrated the day with an Aussie-style lunch, a selection of Australian wines and Anzac biscuits which were baked by the home’s award-winning chefs.
There was also a quiz on all things Antipodean.
Staff and residents at the village, which is operated by the pioneering PSP Care Villages, also spared a thought for those who have lost their homes, businesses and even lives in the recent tragedy in the country.
Village Manager, Stephane Beaumont, got the idea for the day after last month’s snowy weather, when dedicated staff bedded down in the home to look after residents.
He told us: “We normally celebrate Burn’s Night at this time of year but after seeing what the people of Australia are suffering we wanted to show our support by celebrating the country’s national day.
“This was one of our best events ever and Wendy Watkins, who helped organise the event, spent a lot of time decorating the village with Australian flags and Boomerangs.
“She even found some Vegemite for the resident’s toast!
“It’s very important to us that we stimulate our residents by holding regular fun activities like this. It really engages them and they have a lot of fun.”
