RESIDENTS at Sea Lake’s Kaleesa Nursing Home have been busy creating entries for this year’s Swan Hill Show.
It is the third year residents have entered creative masterpieces, and there’s no shortage of choice when it comes to selecting favourite artistic pieces to feature at this year’s event.
Residents have created an amazing array of art and crafts as part of Kaleesa’s Leisure and Lifestyle program.
Program co-ordinator Pam Hannig said the residents enjoyed coming together to work on their various creations, which feature throughout the facility.
“Everyone gets involved,” Ms Hannig said.
“It’s a fun environment and there’s nothing these ladies can’t do. It’s all about keeping the residents active – keeping the brain, hands and mind going.”
Ms Hannig said engaging the residents in art and craft activities had various health benefits, assisting with eye-hand coordination, while promoting a social outlet.
Resident Pat Prater has unlocked many hidden talents since arriving at Kaleesa three years ago.
“I’d never done anything like this before moving here,” she said, noting she grew up in a farming family.
“I’d be on the tractor most days.”
The 93-year-old now draws inspiration from her farming days for many of her craft projects.
She’s taken a liking to rolled paper art and has created many things, including a truck, combine, plane, photo frames and flower pot.
Ms Prater said each creation started with a vision, and evolved over time.
“I wouldn’t know how long each piece takes to make,” she said, adding she often had multiple creations taking shape at any one time.
“I’ll get sick of one and put it down for a bit and then come back to it.”
Fellow resident and 92-year-old Yvonne Amos has also unlocked a creative side since taking up residency at Kaleesa.
“It’s all very new to me but I’ve accomplished a few things,” she said.
“In the past I knitted and that was about it. I’ve learnt a lot.”
Ms Amos enjoys projects which involve upcycling, and has transformed seed pods into a unique mobile and created an owl out of wool.
Ms Amos said trial and error played an important role in bringing many of their creations to life.
“My owl started off as a cat,” she laughed.
“Some things just don’t turn out.”
Ms Amos said the Leisure and Lifestyle program enabled her to keep busy and remain active throughout the day.
Residents are looking forward to contributing to this year’s Show and seeing their creations on display.
“We are heading over to the Show this year,” Ms Hannig said.
While the residents have had much success in the past, Ms Hannig said their participation wasn’t focused on winning or prizes.
“It’s about having a go, showing everyone what they can do, and what they are still capable of,” she said.
