Braemar Residents to Take a Pictorial Journey on the QE2

Residents at Braemar Presbyterian Care aged care homes will cast off on a nostalgic journey next month, when a local maritime historian and internationally published author presents the first in a series of talks on ocean liners of yesteryear.

Chris Frame, who has co-authored close to a dozen books about maritime history and modern cruise ships, will focus on the world famous ocean liner QE2 at his first talk this August, which coincides with celebrations for the ship’s 50th anniversary.

Chief Executive of Braemar Presbyterian Care, Wayne Belcher, said Braemar was committed to providing residents with access to an engaging activity program throughout the year, to support a full and enriched lifestyle.

“Braemar’s focus is to provide our residents with an engaging enrichment program year round,” he says.

“Since 1952, Braemar has facilitated this relationship-centred approach to care, in support of the elderly in Perth, and when our residents told us they were keen to access guest speakers, we got to work securing experts that range from well-known chefs to maritime historians. I’m excited to see this program being well received by those in our care.”

Mr Frame who has recently been in the UK working on a QE2 segment with the BBC show ‘Inside and Out’ said he was delighted to be asked to talk to Braemar residents as part of the not-for-profit aged care organisation’s extensive enrichment program, particularly as several ex-seafarers call Braemar home.

“Braemar’s facilities are in areas which are close to Fremantle Port, and because of this many residents remember seeing the QE2 when it docked during its long and illustrious 40 year career,” Mr Frame says.

“Attendance at the talks is already well booked and, as well as residents, family members have also shown a keen interest which is fantastic and shows a real interest in QE2 and her illustrious history.”

Mr Frame will speak at Braemar’s Cooinda facility in Willagee at 2pm on 18 August and Braemar Village in East Fremantle at 2pm on 24 August.  

After developing a passionate interest in ocean liners after reading a book about the Titanic as a young boy, Mr Frame has travelled extensively and is a regular speaker aboard cruise ships, at maritime museums and as a keynote speaker at dinners and luncheons.

In 2007 Chris collaborated with Rachelle Cross on their first book, QE2: A Photographic Journey. Since then the pair have published a further nine books about maritime history and modern cruise ships. 

Some of Mr Frame’s lecture highlights include speaking aboard Queen Victoria during the Lusitania 100th Anniversary commemorations, speaking at the Australian National Maritime Museum and Sea City Museum in Southampton, as well as being the first guest lecturer aboard P&O’s Pacific Eden during her maiden voyage.

Braemar Presbyterian Care is a community ministry of the Presbyterian Church in WA. Braemar operates three residential care facilities providing 220 residential places.