As Tour Down Under fever sweeps across South Australia, aged care residents at Clayton Church Homes’ Summerhill home have showcased their artistic flair to create 24 metres of colourful bunting to welcome cyclists through Uraidla on Thursday.
The vibrant display is part of a community effort to welcome the world’s best cyclists as they complete the Men’s Stage 3 of the Tour. The 25th edition is the first race of cycling’s top-level world tour that also includes well-known events like the Giro d’Italia and Tour de France.
Residents first started working on the bunting back in December. The project quickly became a source of laughter, connection, and social engagement, as well as a valuable opportunity to nurture fine motor skills and coordination.
Those involved found the creative process was just as fulfilling as the finished result. This included proud artist and Summerhill resident June Bentley, who said the project brought ‘a bit of life into an old body’.
“Working together has been wonderful for our community,” June said. “We’ve spent hours and hours laughing away and having fun. I’ve loved contributing.
“The display is great for spectators and even better for our town. It’s a showpiece.”
Rex MacIvor has also enjoyed the process, and is hotly anticipating the arrival of the world’s best cyclists as they speed past the colourful bunting.
“I’ve really enjoyed getting together, concentrating, and doing something meaningful as a team,” Rex said.
CCH Positive Ageing Coordinator Enya Hyde expressed her joy after watching the residents diligently paint, plait, cut and thread the bunting. She said gathering out front of Summerhill to cheer on the riders is the perfect reward for their hard (but fun) work.
“We’ve had weekly sessions but every day some people have been doing bits and pieces,” Enya said.
“The residents have been painting, plaiting, cutting, stapling and threading. While it takes a fair bit of effort, they’ve hardly noticed because they are enjoying it so much – laughing and giggling as they go.”
Even the organisation’s Chief Executive Officer, Jo Boylan, has been brought in on the fun. She said it was a fantastic project for all involved and is thrilled to have the residents engaging in the major community event.
“It’s been a huge team effort,” Ms Boylan said.
“It is very important to us that our homes, including Summerhill, are truly connected to their communities though initiatives just like this.”
