Dr Andris Darzins has enjoyed an amazing career as a General Practitioner culminating in being awarded an OAM for services to medicine. His 2007 citation was for services to migrant health, paediatrics and care of the elderly.

Now it’s the 90-year-old’s chance to enjoy life as a resident of Uniting AgeWell’s Latvian Community in Wantirna South.

The great-grandfather enjoys spending his days reading, watching television and loves attending the concerts at the site, as well as the cultural theme days and of course Happy Hour.

“I’m quite happy and content. What’s not to enjoy? I’m alive and breathing aren’t I?” he laughs, his ready jokes coupled with the trademark twinkle in his eye. “I’m just a bit slower now that I am getting older, but the care I get from the staff is amazing. They are all so kind.”

Andris is one of the residents at the site who were among the 20,000 Latvians who relocated to Australia in the late 1940s and early 1950s after being forced to flee their homeland during the Soviet occupation of Latvia during World War II.

The Latvian community in Melbourne built the site – which houses both the aged care community and the retirement village – through fund-raising, bequests and hard work. Lovingly respecting the history of residential care homes is a hallmark of Uniting AgeWell residential care sites. In this case, Latvian culture is reflected on some of the walls of the residential aged care community, displaying beautiful wooden plates, paintings and artefacts.

Andris arrived in Australia at the age of 14. He settled in Adelaide, studied to become a doctor and met his Latvian-born wife Dace. They went on to have three children – a son who is a Professor of Medicine, another son who is a lawyer and a daughter who is a Professor of Music. His two sons are in Melbourne, so he and Dace decided to move close by.

Dace still lives in their home nearby and visits him often. Uniting AgeWell Latvian community in Wantirna South is a warm and friendly home, steeped in history. Today the community welcomes people from all backgrounds and nationalities who also enjoy the essence of life in Wantirna South.