You're never too old to dream

Uniting AgeWell has just launched a program to make dreams come true for its residents and community clients.

The WishingWell initiative encourages living life to the fullest, no matter what your age.

70-year-old Reg Evison certainly embraced this philosophy when he soared over Launceston and the Tamar Valley in a helicopter on 10 February.

Mr Evison worked for several years on an aircraft carrier watching the planes and helicopters taking off from the deck.

Last week, he finally got the chance to step aboard.  He summed up the flight in one word: “Thrilling.”

Reg’s helicopter ride boosted morale among fellow residents at Uniting AgeWell Strathhaven in Latrobe.  

“A community bus took a group of Reg’s mates out to the heli pad to see him off. They had lunch and made a day of it,” a spokesperson said.

In Melbourne, a different adventure awaited Fran and Arthur Hammett as they prepared to celebrate their 61^st anniversary on Valentine’s Day.

Their expectations of a group outing were pleasantly overturned when they arrived in the Melbourne CBD to see a horse and carriage waiting for them, complete with champagne and red roses.

Luckily for Mrs Hammett, she had packed her special white gloves, and looked every bit the part as she waved regally to the regular folk down on the pavement.

Ex-limousine-driver Mr Hammett enjoyed the novelty of a seat behind the chauffeur.

“To say it was a good day is an understatement. We’re still on cloud nine,” he said.

Reg, Fran and Arthur’s adventures have signalled the official launch of the WishingWell initiative which has capacity to grant up to 10 wishes each year.

Volunteers, staff, or friends and family of Uniting AgeWell residents or community clients can fill out a nomination form, providing some indication of what they’d like to do, and WishingWell will try to make it happen. 

Picture: (Above) Reg set for take-off. (Below) The Fran and Arthur romance.