Racy nursing home calendar raising more than eyebrows

A Victorian nursing home has created a fun-filled calendar to raise funds for locals affected by recent bushfires in the area.

The ‘classic movie’ themed photo shoot for the 2021 calendar generated huge amounts of fun for both staff and residents, and has given residents a sense of pride in what they have been able to achieve.

Diane Jones, manager of Hepburn House Aged Care Facility, told HelloCare creating the calendar has changed the way the residents see themselves. 

“It’s given them a bit of spunk,” she said. “It’s given them a new lease on life.”

Funds raised for local farmers and bushfire victims

The idea for the calendar came about in December last year, when staff and residents decided they wanted to do something for local drought-affected farmers. Many residents lived for most of their lives on local farms, so their desire to help was sincere and deep-rooted.

Then the bushfires came, so the project was envisioned to help both the farmers and those affected by the fires.

Ms Jones said everyone jumped on board the idea. The residents “absolutely loved” creating the calendar, and it generated a huge amount of fun for everyone. 

The reaction from the community has been “fabulous”, with staff, residents and the community supporting the project enthusiastically. Various members of the local community donated their services for free.

“It’s been really well embraced,” Ms Jones said.

Movie theme

Every page of the calendar represents a scene from an iconic movie.

Costumes were sourced from local op shops and various pieces were brought in from home. There are obviously some excellent gardeners on staff, with thousands of rose petals donated from staff gardens for the ‘American Beauty’-themed shot (see main picture) featuring resident Peggy Warren, 85. 

“It’s a pity my poor husband’s not alive to see it. He’d probably get a shock,” she told Nine News.

In another scene, resident Joy Monson, 92, poses with a cigarette in her hand (she’s never smoked in her life) for a scene from ‘Cabaret’.

2022 version in discussion

There is talk of a 2022 calendar in the wings.

“We’ll see,” said Ms Jones who acknowledged that creating the calendar was a significant undertaking. “It’s a big job when you’re trying to run a facility too,” she admitted to HelloCare.

Nevertheless, staff and residents are putting forward their ideas for another calendar down the track, and Ms Jones is mulling over the idea for the time being.

More than $3,000 has been raised for the Bendigo Bank Bushfire Appeal from the sale of the calendars.

The unfortunate news for anyone hoping to purchase a calendar is they’ve almost sold out – in only two days.

Images used with permission. Copyright David White.