THE Tamworth Show is normally a big day out for many locals, but one aged care home adapted during COVID-19 to mark the occasion with a big day in.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
Bupa Tamworth hosted an in-house show last week, complete with prizes and an array of displays, to help keep the community connection strong for residents.
The facility's general manager Tim Whyte said the local show is usually a special time for the older generations, and many residents had long connections with country shows. But, COVID-19 forced this year's Tamworth Show to be canned.
READ ALSO:
"We wanted to do something about it, so we came up with the idea of the Bupa Show, it was a great day with lots of events and things happening in the home," Mr Whyte said.
The Bupa Show featured entries from local schools and early learning centres, the Tamworth Men's Shed, and exhibits from the home's staff and residents as well.
Creative muscles were flexed during the past month, as entrants took on decorating hats, woodwork, painting, drawing, knitting, cooking, even arranging flowers.
"The residents had a great day ... all the residents in the home were invited to walk through and see the displays," Mr Whyte said.
"We even had some animals here, we had some chickens and it was just a great day being able to do something a little different.
"Being able to maintain ways to keep that connection to community open has been really important."
The home put on a platter of party food for a "treat" lunch, with country show classics like pluto pups and hot chips on the menu.
Bupa Show attendees voted for their favourite works across a range of categories, and prizes were handed out.
June O'Dea, an 89-year-old resident, won first place for a hat she had decorated.
"It was a lovely show, it was a real credit to the organisers," she said. "I come from a country town and it was as good as our country shows I think, the exhibits were really outstanding."
Most of the displays will be returned to their creators, but some entries will remain on show to keep Bupa's walls "bright and festive".