Christmas fun for all the family

With Christmas just around the corner, why not get into the festive spirit early and attend the Fair and Christmas Carols being held in the beautiful gardens of 70 Lowe Street aged care facility.

The East Grampians Health Service 70 Lowe Street and Garden View Court Aged Care Auxiliary is conducting a fair in conjunction with its Christmas carols event this year.

EGHS Aged Care Auxiliary president Libby McCormick encouraged community members to attend.

“It will be a day for the whole family, with old fashioned games for the children and a variety of stalls including plants, jewellery, craft, vintage clothes and more,” she said.

“There will be plenty of opportunity to pick up some last minute Christmas gifts.”

Christmas entertainment will be provided by the Ararat City Band and other local performers and with the gardens looking spectacular from all the recent rain, the lawns will be the perfect spot to relax and enjoy the music. There will also be a sausage sizzle and raffles.

As part of the Fair a new mural will be launched in the gardens at 3.30pm.

The mural complements the barnyard which is situated in the gardens and has been designed and painted by Ararat artist Jeanette Lucas.

The barnyard features farm animals and is designed as a ‘reminiscing area’ for residents of 70 Lowe Street, many of whom have farming backgrounds, in line with the Montessori Model of Care.

The Montessori Model of Care has been modified from the Montessori Dementia Model of Care and while focusing on residents diagnosed with a cognitive or physical impairment, it is also applied more broadly to all residents in the aged care facility.

Montessori aims to fulfil the vision of independence and improved self-esteem for residents through environmental cueing and meaningful activities and roles, which focus on the individual’s skills, abilities, needs and interests.

The Montessori Model of Care has been implemented with great success at 70 Lowe Street this year and will be rolled out in other aged care facilities at EGHS in the future.

The Fair and Christmas Carols will be held on Saturday December 10 from 2pm to 5pm in the gardens of 70 Lowe Street. Entry is by gold coin donation.

“The fair will be raising funds for vital services and equipment at East Grampians Health Service’s two aged care facilities in Ararat, 70 Lowe Street and Garden View Court,” Mrs McCormick said.

Pictured above: In the festive spirit ready for the Fair and Christmas Carols at 70 Lowe Street are L-R: Jane Richardson, Cathy Billings, Libby McCormick, Lynne Wilson and Ingrid Henry.