Retired Minister, 96, Transforms Aged Care Garden into a Colorful Oasis, Enriching Lives of Residents

During the time when Merv Stanton's late wife transitioned into residential aged care over a decade ago, she gazed out of her bedroom window and expressed her thoughts, saying, "The garden is beautifully green, but there's no colour." Inspired by her words, Merv took immediate action, bringing vibrant and colorful plants from their home garden in Wynyard, located in North West Tasmania, and planting them outside Margaret's window at Uniting AgeWell Queenborough Rise Community in Sandy Bay.

"Margaret adored looking out at the lively bursts of color," Merv recalls. "It brought her immense joy."

Eventually, Merv relocated to an independent living unit in Hobart. Over the next two years, until Margaret's passing at the end of 2014, he gradually transformed the garden into a spectacle of reds, yellows, and blues—a tapestry of colors for all seasons.

"I noticed that the other residents also cherished the splashes of color," Merv shares. "They would come out and admire the flowers. So, after Margaret's passing, Queenborough Rise Community invited me to stay on as a volunteer and continue working in the garden."

As we celebrate National Volunteer Week, it is essential to extend our heartfelt appreciation to all the volunteers, including Merv, for their tireless efforts and boundless energy in enriching the lives of others.

The theme for this year's event is "The Change Makers," which highlights the power of driving change and ensuring inclusivity in volunteering for all members of the Australian community.

Jane Johnston, Uniting AgeWell General Manager Tasmania, emphasises the significance of this theme, stating, "Inclusion is a core value that underpins everything we do. With a long history of volunteer support, Uniting AgeWell's services have thrived and flourished—a vital contribution that we acknowledge and deeply value."

Despite being 96 years old, Merv continues to dedicate a few hours each day, excluding weekends, to work in the garden. Recently, he was touched when a sign displaying the words "Merv's Garden" was erected on the grounds.

"The more you give as a volunteer, the more you receive," says Merv, a retired Anglican Minister. "Through helping others, I have gained so much personally. It's truly wonderful."

In addition to his work in the garden, Merv has been actively involved in various other activities over the years. He has called Bingo, joined residents on bus trips, assisted in setting up the Garden Club, and taken care of the library. While he used to prepare the quiz on a weekly basis, he decided to reduce the frequency so that he could devote more time to the garden.

As a great-grandfather who still drives, Merv affirms that he is in pretty good shape. "I wouldn't be in this state if I spent my days idly in front of the TV instead of working in the fresh air," he says.

When asked about his advice for those contemplating volunteering, Merv's response is resolute: "Just do it! It is important to discover where we can lend a helping hand to others. That's what life is all about."

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