Margaret Carrick could never have imagined she’d score a happiness hat trick at the age of 86: watching and playing sport all day, being close to family in the area she loves – and doing absolutely no housework or cooking ever again!
And Margaret, who moved into Uniting AgeWell Newnham Community, Aldersgate Village in May last year, has already made her mark by taking out the top individual score at the Village Sports Day in October. A victory she plans on repeating this year.
However, she may have more competition than she anticipates.
The new 30-bed wing in the $10.9 million revamp and development at Aldersgate Village is now open and includes a hair salon, lovely dining and lounge spaces, a commercial laundry and a state-of-the-art kitchen, as well as a community centre for the nearby independent living unit residents. It also incorporates dementia-friendly designs including a sensory garden.
Senior Care Manager Audette Groenewold says the new wing has a cosy fireplace, and with any luck it will snow again this winter, turning the village into a postcard winter wonderland once again.
Rain, hail, snow, sun – it’s all good for Margaret, as long as she can play sport and watch sport on telly. The sports-nut grew up in Queenstown where she met her carpenter husband Barry. The couple moved to Launceston when Barry was offered a place on the North Launceston football team. They went on to have three children, all of whom are sporty.
And over the years Margaret played as much tennis and bowls as she could. “I don’t like reading very much,” she explains. “And I’m not into anything like knitting or sewing, and I only ever cooked over the years because I had to. Housework isn’t my thing either. “
Her other great love is her family. Barry died 27 years ago, but Margaret has been kept busy with their children, three grandchildren and four great-grandchildren who all live in Launceston and who she sees every week.
Then there’s her third great love - Launceston - which apart from one holiday to Queensland, has been Margaret’s whole world.
So she was delighted to move into Aldersgate Village, and be close to everyone and everything that she loves. “I’ve made lots of friends, I’m thoroughly enjoying all the sports and activities on offer here and the staff are wonderful and take great care of me,” she says.
“I also love doing arts and crafts, and I’m even attending a cooking demonstration this week. But..” she adds unable to keep the grin out of her voice “that means I watch them cooking and get to taste it – I don’t do any of the cooking myself!”
