Bupa Ballarat Celebrates Iconic Begonia Festival

Each year, Bupa Ballarat residents love to visit the famous Ballarat Begonia Festival, an historic festival that has been around since 1953, but unfortunately this year because of Covid-19 restrictions, residents were unable to attend. 

The restrictions, however, did not get in the way of residents and staff participating in their own way and making the most of these beautiful flowers.

The Bupa Ballarat Lifestyle Team bought the residential home their own Begonias and received generous donations of flowers from the local community.

The team purchased a vintage bike, which was painted and decorated by the residents with flowers and foliage as part of the beautiful display. To add to the scene, a mannequin was dressed in handmade paper Begonia flowers, each individual flower made by the residents.

Everyone dressed up in their fanciest outfits, decorating their walkers and wheelchairs with glitz and flowers adding a touch of glamour, in preparation for the beauty competition.

The home enjoyed entertainment from the harmonic Ukulele group from the local U3A - University of the Third Age. They performed all-time favourites that had all residents singing along and tapping their feet.

Stalls were set up for food & drinks, as well as a Bric-a-Brac table with items either donated or made by the residents for the residents and staff to view and purchase.

Just like the real Begonia Festival the home couldn’t go without crowning its own Bupa Begonia King & Queen! The very proud crowned King was none other than resident Douglas Lee, who couldn’t keep the smile from his face for two days. The crowned Queen was Mary Parker.

Given the success of the Bupa Ballarat Begonia Festival they are already planning and preparing for 2023.

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