It may be bit of a stereotype that older Australians are rather fond of a spot of gardening, but it’s a pastime that brings joy to many – and the residents of Baptistcare Kalkarni Residential Care in Brookton, WA, are going a bit further.
The care facility’s extensive gardens are undergoing a facelift, from purely decorative to practically functional. It’s part of a new “land-to-table” initiative, inspired by the residents’ recent culinary adventures with the home’s orange tree: they recently decided to get together to cook favourite recipes, from cakes and biscuits to jams and juice. The resident chef has even cooked up a surprisingly popular Duck a l’Orange!
Now, more fruit and vegetables are being planted in the gardens, providing fresh food for everyone, and a new activity to enjoy.
June Harwood, Baptistcare Manager of Residential Care at Kalkarni, is proud of what her residents are achieving.
“There is a lot of joy and satisfaction in planning what foods to produce and then working together to bring them to the dining room table.
“It provides a sense of purpose, and generates lots of conversations about everything from natural pest control to cooking techniques, which makes each day different and interesting,” she said.
“Our residents are embracing every aspect of the land-to-table concept, and it will be exciting to see where they take it in the coming months.”
We’re just glad they’re getting to really enjoy the fruits of their labour.
