Baptcare Wyndham Lodge Italian Club

Tutto bene! Everything is felice at Wyndham Lodge’s Italian Club.

Every Tuesday morning for the past eight years two big-hearted Baptcare volunteers, Concetta Cini and Maria Lock, bring a touch of Italy to Wyndham Lodge Aged Care community in Werribee, Victoria. 

Superb coffee, home-made tiramisu and Italian biscuits are shared, while Italian music plays on the stereo.

“Late in her life, before she passed away, my Mum reverted to using her native tongue,” Maria says. “It made me realise how important it is for these older people to have others around who can speak their language.

“Giving them that extra attention helps takes them back home. We hold these moments with them.”

Resident Connie is a former President of the Italian Social Club. Another resident, Maria, was Secretary. Maria’s neighbour growing up, Dino, is another weekly attendee.

They reminisce about riding their bikes from farms into Werribee, hanging out with the men playing bocce, and the thieves who stole artichokes from the vege beds just when they were ready for eating.

“The residents who attend Italian Club look forward to it all week,” says Samantha Pullen, Leisure & Lifestyle Coordinator. “They sing songs, tell a few jokes, share some stories. It’s all about joy and togetherness.”

Wyndham Lodge Residential Aged Care is a caring place where residents create new memories with new friends, share old memories with old friends, and live life on their own terms.