Bolton Clarke Communities Catch the Commonwealth Games Fever

It was a once in a life time spectacular – a three-hour celebration of Australian culture complete with Delta Goodrem and a giant whale floating across Carrara stadium. The 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games had officially begun and Bolton Clarke communities on the Coast were quick to celebrate.

To formally mark the opening of the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games, the Galleon Gardens residential community came together for a special flag raising ceremony on 3 April.

Residents Olympian Brenda Carr (retirement living) and former Commonwealth Swim Coach Don Talbot (residential aged care) did the honours of raising the Commonwealth Games flag for residents and staff to enjoy.

The celebration continued with the distribution of Commonwealth Games-inspired “Aussie Gold” cupcakes in honour of the day.

Diversional Therapist Gwen Bonney said displays of official posters and flags were helping bring the excitement of the Games to residents.

They proudly donned their golden “Galleon Gladiators” shirts, worn just last week when they took out Bolton Clarke’s annual Hijinx Games, for the flag-raising event.

The Hijinx Games is a highlight of the calendar for Winders, Darlington, and Galleon Gardens residents and Gold Coast HomeCare clients, and includes a sports challenge covering pool noodle javelin, darts, bowls, cooee calling, tunnel ball and a range of other low impact activities. This year it was brought forward as a precursor to Commonwealth Games celebrations.

And the move was worth it – the Games ended in the first ever tie-breaker between the Galleon Gladiators and their neighbours over the border – the Winders Warriors.

Galleon Gardens resident and former elite swim coach Don Talbot secured the win for his team, throwing an auditorium length in the tie-breaker thong toss.

Celebrations for the Currumbin site will continue when residents have a front row seat at the cycling, with racing passing the site on April 10 and 14 – an event residents are excited to experience.

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Pictured: Resident Brenda Carr with staff Gwen Bonney and Bernadette Roney