News

Mayflower Edith Bendall Brings Community Together for Olympics Day

Published
August 2, 2024

At Mayflower Edith Bendall, the community recently gathered for a spirited 'Olympics Day', an event that brought together creativity, camaraderie, and a lively sense of competition.

The day was a reminder of the joy that comes from shared experiences, with residents, our team, and visiting family members all joining in the fun.

A Paris Olympics 2024 Themed Crafting Experience

Leading up to the big day, residents took part in a craft group, where they worked alongside team members to create special Athens-inspired crowns for the occasion. Each crown was a unique expression of its maker's creativity, adding a personal touch to the festivities.

A very effective Olympic torch was also crafted, symbolising the excitement and anticipation that filled the air.

Resident holding the home made olympic torch and wearing the olympic crown she made
Pictured above: The Paris 2024 Olympic torch was a hit among residents.

"Aussie, Aussie, Aussie! Oi, Oi, Oi!"

When the day arrived, the halls echoed with the cheerful cry of "Aussie, Aussie, Aussie! Oi, Oi, Oi!" as the events kicked off with enthusiasm. The lineup included a balloon relay, where participants displayed agility and teamwork as they passed the balloon with precision.

The discus throwing event saw residents and our team competing for the best throw ,while the bean bag throwing tested everyone’s accuracy. Balloon tennis was another highlight, with laughter filling the room as residents and team members engaged in friendly matches.

Friendly Competition Makes for a Wonderful Time.

As Leisure and Care Coordinator Natalie observed, “Everyone was very competitive during these events and had a great time. It was lovely to see everyone so engaged and enjoying themselves.”

a group of residents and our team wearing the Australian Olympic colours and the crowns they made.
Pictured above: Everyone got in to the Olympic Spirit, donning their crowns and joining in the fun.

Celebrating the Olympics Offers Many Benefits for Older Australians

Engaging in activities like these empowers residents to stay active, both physically and mentally, while fostering a strong sense of community and connection.

For many, it’s more than just a day of fun; it’s a chance to reminisce about cherished memories, such as the 1956 Melbourne Olympics - a major event that still brings joy.

These activities not only promote fitness and engagement but also strengthen the bonds between residents, our team, and visiting family members, fostering a vibrant and supportive environment.

A resident wearing her olympic crown, smiling
Pictured above: Hand made Olympic crowns added to the fun.


Pictured above: Allied Health student Dasha helps our Care and Leisure team decorate Mayflower Brighton.

True Blue BBQ Lunch

The day was made complete with a true-blue Aussie BBQ, offering a delicious spread of food and drinks.

It was the perfect way to winddown after a morning of lively games, providing an opportunity for everyone to relax, share stories, and enjoy each other’s company.

The Olympic Spirit Across Mayflower

At our other homes in Brighton and Reservoir, the Olympic spirit is also well and truly alive.

Mayflower Brighton features a giant Olympic ring and historical poster display, bringing back memories of past games. Meanwhile, at Mayflower Reservoir, everyone is gearing up for their Olympic games and has an impressive Olympic ring display too - skilfully made of balloons!

Each of our residential care locations have been ensuring that the Olympics are on each lounge rooms television, and, between movie screenings in our Jennifer Cook Movie Theatre at Mayflower Brighton.

Community Connection

'Olympics Day' at Mayflower Edith Bendall was more than just a day of games; it was a celebration of community, memories, and the joy of being active and engaged.

Residents had a fantastic time, and the day’s memories will not be forgotten.