“We knew we had talented people living here, we just had no idea we had this many.”
Jean Welch, who is also a member of Cambridge Creative Fibre, set herself up with her portable spinning machine. Photo: Viv Posselt
Bupa St Kilda Retirement Village general manager Clare Coles expressed delight at the array of talent on display of talent as she showed guests around the complex’s newest facility during Saturday’s craft exhibition and open day.
The event was held to showcase the variety of handcrafted pieces made by residents, and to celebrate the new serviced apartment building which, after years of planning, was finally completed last November.
One of the many tables creaking with stitched talent done by residents. Photo: Viv Posselt
Coles said new facility rounded out the complex’s care options for residents who, in the 10 years since it opened in Cambridge, have been offered living options in the village or in the care home itself.
“This gives them another option which provides support if they can no longer live independently in the village, but still don’t need full care home accommodation,” she said. “The new block has 19 one or two-bedroomed serviced apartments, and there are seven different floor plans. Residents can still enjoy a level of independent living, but they get their laundry and cleaning done and have their meals provided.”
Visitors to Saturday’s open day were able to tour the new facility, look over a wide range of crafts done by residents and enjoy a custom keychain workshop laid on by Waikato-based Ronel Smit.
A quaint knitted nativity scene, crafted by resident Kathy Pederson. Photo: Viv Posselt
Marion Christieson holding up the image of the kitset doll house she is sitting beside. She and her husband Brian took about six hours to assemble it. The furniture inside was purchased separately and has been glued in place. Photo: Viv Posselt
Ronel Smit, who hails from the Taupō region, held a workshop for residents and visitors keen to make a bespoke keyring. Photo: Viv Posselt
Bupa St Kilda Cambridge general manager Clare Coles in one of the rooms in the new serviced apartment building. Photo: Viv Posselt
Cambridge’s Bupa St Kilda general manager Clare Coles, right, with resident Knit and Natter Group members Annette Goodall and Rae Knell, left. Much of the work done by the group goes to various charities. Photo: Viv Posselt
