After decades of being clean-shaven, residents and staff at supported living neighbourhood Tall Trees Ocean View donned a set of healthy moustaches for November—all in the name of men’s wellbeing.

Residents James Murray, Jack Walker, Ken Anstee and Ray Watts, and staff member David Pickering have all participated in the month-long Movember fundraiser, which raises money for the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia and depression initiative Beyondblue.

Tall Trees Ocean View welcome consultant David Pickering says the charity has been a great cause to get involved with.

“The blokes and I have been loud and proud about growing our mo’s to raise money for men’s health issues,” Mr Pickering says.

“Beneath the surface of Movember’s fun campaign is a very serious initiative that shouldn’t be overlooked.

“Without Movember, there are too few fundraisers that are designed specifically to assist in research into men’s health issues or initiatives helping them through depression.”

Resident Ray Watts said until this month, it had been years since he had a moustache.

“The first time I grew one was back in 1942, and now this month is my second time ever,” Mr Watts says.

“It started with the staff here at Tall Trees telling us about the fundraiser and encouraged residents to get involved, and I joined in as it goes towards a cause that affects me personally.

“I have had prostate cancer for eight years now, but this year is the first time I have heard about the idea of Movember, with David and a few of us getting on board with it.”

81-year-old Ken Anstee, another resident partaking in the Movember activity, says he can’t wait to shave it off.

“This is the first time in my whole life that I have ever grown a moustache and it is sure to be the last,” Mr Anstee says.

“I honestly can’t wait to get rid of it, but I committed to growing it this month because it is for a very good cause. I really hope the money we pull together will make a difference.

“My daughter is sponsoring me for growing a mo this month and we have residents and staff getting behind us as well.”

Tall Trees Ocean View have had a donations box at reception to make visitors aware that residents and staff are involved and to encourage their support in fundraising for men’s health.

Donations can be made by visiting the neighbourhood at 2 Terranora Road, Banora Point.

http://www.mydailynews.com.au/story/2011/11/28/movember-growth-spotted-among-the-tall-trees-men/

Seniors at Tall Trees Caboolture will get a chance to talk face-to-face with Member for Longman Wyatt Roy on Tuesday next week, with the MP joining residents at the supported living neighbourhood for a special morning tea.

Part of the new guard of accommodation for seniors, Tall Trees provides customised care services for their residents whilst offering an environment that’s more like a resort than an aged care facility.

Sharon Brown, networking co-coordinator at Tall Trees Caboolture, says staff and residents at the neighbourhood are thrilled about the opportunity to meet the MP.

“Mr Roy’s been very active in the local community, and we’re really pleased that he’s chosen to come here to see the service we provide and talk with our residents about matters close to them,” Ms Brown says.

“At Tall Trees, we’re always working to ensure that seniors have a voice in the community, and this is a fantastic way for them to be able to voice their opinions.

“Our residents and staff are all looking forward to meeting Mr Roy.”

Mr Roy won the seat of Longman in the 2010 federal election, displacing Labor’s Jon Sullivan and achieving a swing of 3.79 percent.

Tall Trees Ocean View at Banora Point is holding a fashion parade for residents to pull out their suits, frocks and fancy hats and strut around in the spirit of the Melbourne Cup.

The residents make their own Melbourne Cup Fascinators to wear on the day and those who made theirs last year and will be excited to wear them again.

Neighbourhood Lifestyle Coordinator Rachel Phillips says she is arranging the event to bring the Melbourne Cup close to home for Tall Trees Ocean View residents.

“The fashion parade will be held in the dining hall to re-create the spirit of the Melbourne Cup for residents,” Ms Phillips says.

“They are all very excited about this special event as they have an excuse to get all dressed up and will make a fun day out of it.

“Some of our residents say they remember going to the Flemington Racecourse for the Cup when they were just 18.”

Ms Phillips says the Melbourne Cup is not just about the races for many residents, but also their memories of the fashion and their experiences around that time of year.

“Our residents often speak about the 1940s fashions, and that they were ‘all the go’ for the Melbourne Cup events,” Ms Phillips says.

“We have some residents that just absolutely love horses and enjoy watching the Cup for that reason alone.

“In fact, one of our residents had always dreamed of becoming a jockey when they were young and watching the races but their parents would not let them!”

Ms Phillips says the event is still something that they’re passionate about, with the upcoming Melbourne Cup featuring quite heavily on their calendar.

“The residents enjoy watching the races on the big screen at Tall Trees Ocean View, alongside all their close friends here,” Ms Phillips says.

“They all live together in the supported living community and have become like family to one another, and events like these bring them even closer together.

“Last year’s Melbourne Cup event was fantastic, and I think this year’s will be even more fun with lots of striking outfits to liven up the day.”

Tall Trees Ocean View coordinate regular events and social outings, and encourage friends and families to get involved and stay with the residents in the days before and after the event.

One of Queensland’s oldest married couples is gearing up for the annual Melbourne Cup, having spent their life together as avid racing enthusiasts.

Jack Robinson, 93, and his wife and Olive, 91, have followed the horses and attended racing events over the course of their 72 year marriage.

They live together at supported living community for seniors Tall Trees at Tanah Merah, where the staff will be organising a Melbourne Cup event for the residents.

Jack says horseracing is still something that they’re passionate about, with the upcoming Melbourne Cup featuring quite heavily on their calendar.

“We’ve been to Flemington Racecourse a number of times during our marriage for the Melbourne Cup, and though we’re not going to be able to make it down this year, we’re looking forward to the day nonetheless,” he says.

“It’ll be great to be able to enjoy the races on the big screen at Tall Trees, alongside Olive and all our friends here.

“Last year’s Tall Trees Melbourne Cup event was fantastic, and I think this year’s will be even better.”

Jack and Olive married in 1939, with Jack coming from a family of horse enthusiasts, while Olive’s family were strictly opposed to gambling.

She’d never put down a bet in her life before meeting Jack.

“My family were non-gamblers,” Olive says.

“No way could we have anything to do with gambling, until I met Jack – we used to go the races twice a week on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

“I used to live in Victoria, and when I moved up to NSW to marry Jack I became a little bit lucky.

“They used to call me ‘The Quinella Queen’.

“All of the men around us would ask Jack what my picks were for the day.”

Despite their age, Jack says they still get out to the track when possible, attending their most recent meet a month ago for a charity event at Eagle farm.

“Four of us from Tall Trees went down, and we had a marvellous day,” Jack says.

“I didn’t have a win, but Olive got her quinella up.

“We can’t make it down to the track as much these days, but she’s still got that amazing luck.”

Siobhan MacDonald, neighbourhood manager at Tall Trees Tanah Merah, says Jack and Olive are a unique couple.

“They’ve got to be some of Queensland’s oldest racing fans – that’s for sure,” Ms MacDonald says.

“Going to the races was quite a popular pastime in their day, but they’ve shown true dedication to the sport by still attending events when they can.

“While we think most of our residents here at Tall Trees are looking forward to the Melbourne Cup, I don’t think anyone is as much as Jack and Olive are.

“I think their enthusiasm for racing will make the day that little bit more exciting.”

After spending much of their lives following the horses, Jack says there’s one simple piece of advice that he’s stuck to, and suggests young punters do, too.

“Bet within your means – enjoy it, don’t try to be a millionaire,” Jack says.

“It doesn’t matter then, if you win you’ve had a lovely day, if you lose, you haven’t done any harm.”

Local aged care provider Tall Trees and Logan Community Bank® branches Bendigo Bank are looking for noteworthy seniors in Logan for their Outrageous and Courageous competition.

Adults and children will be able to nominate their parents, grandparents or senior friends under the categories of “most outrageous” or “most courageous”, with a winner being selected for each.

Tall Trees director Phil Usher says that Outrageous and Courageous is an initiative that will help to bring recognition to the amazing lives of seniors in the community.

“We believe this competition will help to recognise the remarkable seniors in the local area and remind the younger generation that age doesn’t stop you from doing amazing and exciting things,” Mr Usher says.

“The ‘outrageous’ category is targeted at those seniors who break all stereotypes of the elderly and still have a great taste for adventure.

“The ‘courageous’ category will acknowledge those selfless individuals that contribute tirelessly to the community, country or to their family and friends around them.”

Mr Usher says all entrants will need to submit details of the person they are nominating and select which of the two categories they come under.

“After selecting what kind of character they are, friends or family members can share the stories of their nominee and explain exactly what makes them outrageous or courageous,” Mr Usher says.

“Outrageous nominees could be someone who likes to engage in adventurous activities such as skydiving or playing in a rock ‘n’ roll band.

“Courageous applicants may include charity workers, war heroes, or unshakeable patriarchal figures, and I am sure this category will give well-deserved recognition to seniors that have done a lot for the community.”

Mr Usher says the staff at Tall Trees are looking forward to seeing all of the entries and learning more about the admirable seniors in the Logan area.

“The best submission for each category will be judged by Tall Trees and Logan Community Bank® branches Bendigo Bank, who are very eager to see what tales of adventure and courage come out of the Logan area,” Mr Usher says.

“Seniors often share their stories with the people they are closest to, but Outrageous and Courageous offers the opportunity to let the wider community appreciate their life achievements.

“Submissions need to describe why the nomination is outrageous or courageous and we encourage people to use photos as well as the stories to describe their nominee’s personality and experiences.”

A first prize in each category will include a holiday to the value of $1,250 dollars, provided by Travel by Tracey.

Nomination forms are available from any of the Logan Community Bank® branches Bendigo Bank or from the competition website at www.talltrees.net.au/oandc

Nominees need to be over the age of 75.

To find out more about Tall Trees, please call 1300 304 412 or visit www.talltrees.net.au