Meet Robert Renton, who believes in making the most of opportunities each new chapter of his life presents.
The 79-year-old lives at Uniting AgeWell Manor Lakes Community and keeps busy by editing a slew of publications and books, as well as being an environmental lobbyist.
He has Inclusion Body Myositis (IBM), an inflammatory muscle disease in older adults which means he can’t stand or walk and needs to use a powered wheelchair.
“I’ve been here for the last three years and can honestly say I’m happy and well-looked after,” explains Robert. “There is simply no way I could cope at home on my own, and the staff here are very kind and considerate.”
He often heads off to the shops, but he has become acutely aware of how difficult some places are when it comes to wheelchair access.
Robert has had a stellar career. He started off as a high school teacher, was head (and later acting principal) of a number of Wesley College campuses, studied theology and worked as a Chaplain at two schools, and was the Presbytery Minister Administration for the Presbytery of Port Phillip West for nine years.
He’s still putting his intellect and skills to good use. He has been the treasurer and editor of Uniting Church Historical Society publications in Victoria and Tasmania for the last 40 years and the National body of the Historical Society for the last five.
He occasionally edits and has printed books for friends on poetry, autobiography and philosophy.
“I have been involved with the Werribee Uniting Church for the past 38 years, and although I can’t easily get to church services, I edit and prepare the weekly newsletter and edit the video of the service and put it on Facebook and Youtube,” he explains.
He’s also busy at Manor Lakes Community where he is a member of the Quality Care Customer Advisory Body.
The widower is a dedicated family man – he has two sons, a daughter-in-law and three grandchildren he adores.
He enjoys doing cryptic crosswords, reading novels, and watching the occasional movie.