10 August 2021
Benetas Aged Care Olympics Goes For Gold!
As we come to the close of the Tokyo Olympics, Victorian aged care provider Benetas, celebrates the great joy and competitive spirit ignited as a result of their six week Olympic Torch relay which attended all 14 homes across Victoria.
Beginning on Monday 5th July in Bendigo, and concluding Friday 6th August, the event was embraced by employees, residents and their loved ones alike, including mini Olympics, decorations and multicultural food to commemorate.
Residential Manager of Benetas St Laurence Court Kangaroo Flat Vikki Ough said that the kick-off event was a great success with our inaugural torch bearer Warren Driscoll, a Bendigo Home Care client, starting the torch’s journey to St Laurence Court in Eaglehawk then arriving at St Laurence Court Kangaroo Flat the next day.
"Warren was thrilled to open the relay,” Ms Ough said.
“To watch him walk the torch ‘over the line’ into our Kangaroo Flat home and share his remarkable story was heart-warming and inspiring.”
The Benetas Olympic Torch has been traversing the state from Bendigo to Gisborne, Altona Meadows, Glenroy, Brunswick, Heidelberg, Camberwell, Caulfield North, Mooroolbark, Traralgon, Frankston, Mornington and finishing up at Clarinda.
There have been a few lockdowns interrupting its journey but much like the big show in Tokyo, the torch continued on when it was safe to do so.
Benetas CEO Sandra Hills OAM said this journey signifies the strong link between each of our homes and the residents and employees within them.
"The last year and a half has been very isolating for people and many of our residents, families and employees have made immense sacrifices during this period,” she said.
“Hence the reason we set up this relay and mini Olympics. To share the unity and joy and celebrate something exciting and familiar like the Olympics Games.”
Benetas homes across Victoria have enjoyed numerous events to celebrate the journey of the Benetas Olympic Torch proving that age is no barrier to having fun and a very competitive spirit.
Games and a Mini Olympics have been very popular, with a number of homes holding competitions in everything from balloon volleyball, discus, beanbag shotput, and even wheelchair races.
Benetas, St Pauls Terrace egg and spoon race medal winners Stanley, Morris and Norah showed their friendly and competitive spirit resulting in personal victory which proved a lot of fun.
Norah explained that to get involved with an iconic event such as the Olympics is an amazing feeling.
“Reminiscing about watching the games and sports with our family and friends and supporting Australia on this international platform was thrilling,” she said.
“We all had a wonderful time and we are thankful to all the Benetas employees for making it so memorable.”
The Residents and Employees at St Johns Park also held a mini Olympics declaring St Johns its own country for the day, designing a flag and coat of arms while competing in games.
Ms Hills said the benefits for everyone are clear as the Tokyo Olympics has inspired a great sense of unity and joy, patriotism and competitive spirit.
“It’s been a great lift from the other news that has been occupying conversation over the last year,” she said.
“The way that our employees and resident community have jumped on board this initiative is incredibly heart-warming and gives us great pride in the work that we do and our ability to support these incredible people.”