Merry Christmas: Deborah Bayliss and Christine Smith. Photos: Megan Fisher
Photo by
Megan Fisher
Shepparton's Mercy Place’s annual Christmas lunch was held on Wednesday, December 8, for the families of residents to visit and celebrate the festive season with their loved ones.
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“It’s just wonderful to see their happy faces. It’s really just fantastic to be able to come back and spend Christmas with them,” volunteer Deborah Bayliss said.
Christmas lunch: Val Steward and daughter Leanne Steward.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
Ms Bayliss said it was lovely to see everyone out of their rooms spending the day together.
“Because they’re usually separated from each other,” she said.
Party time: George Jorgji with residents Roz Guthridge and Roma Grose.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
The residents were entertained by singer Glenda Edwards, who performed Christmas songs.
There was also a slide show with residents’ photos for Mother’s Day and grandparent’s day, and to remember the residents who had died.
Christmas song: Glenda Edwards performs for the residents.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
But the highlight of the day was a visit from Santa Bob, an impressive figure in full uniform and iconic booming “ho-ho-ho”, who brought presents for all the good boys and girls at the home.
Santa Bob also brought plenty of Christmas cheer with him and got some of the residents dancing.
Santa Claus: Santa Bob and his helpers, the Mellino brothers, Joseph and Reno.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
At one point, resident Lorraine Holmes and Santa boogied on over to each other and started a lively dance to the Christmas songs.
“You’re an adult for an awful long time, let’s try to be children for as long as we can,” Santa Bob said.
“There are three types in life; you believe in Santa, you don’t believe in Santa, you become Santa.”
The Mellino brothers were Santa’s helpers and handed out the presents to the residents.
Present time: Santa Bob brings a horde of presents for the residents.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
Santa jokingly said “they were a bit ordinary today” because he had given them too much cabernet sauvignon.
But they had still managed to set up all the tables for families to sit with their loved ones at the home, with help from Ms Bayliss.
Celebrating: Christine Smith and Carmel Walsh.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
There was lots of eating, singing, Christmas stories and presents, and a raffle.
Some residents sat with their families, wearing paper Christmas crowns, the remnants of the bon-bons scattered about the tables.
The volunteers tried to spend as much time as possible with those without family present.
The home and the residents have just recently been able to welcome volunteers in to the home to spend time with the guests and are actively seeking volunteers.
Most wonderful time of the year: Marion Birkensliegh, Trish Lothian and Margaret Crawford.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
Santa Bob last visited for Christmas in 2019. While the day was an absolute riot, the annual celebration is yet to return to its former glory.
The residents were missing the kinder children who used to come and visit and would like to see them return next Christmas, Ms Bayliss said.
“As soon as they hear (the kids) they’re out of their rooms,” she said.
“They don’t want to miss anything.”
Residents would like to see a comeback from the greyhound Max who used to visit, but Ms Bayliss said it was unlikely because of all the biscuits the residents used to sneak to him.
“They get (Max) into trouble ... It was a bit of a joke around the place,” she said.
“They knew exactly what day he was coming and they saved their morning tea.”
Santa Bob and the Mellino brothers said the management of Mercy Place prioritised the quality of life of residents, caring for the “head, hand and heart”.
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