Jack's Master Move
When Jack Weller is not travelling around the countryside, he is out walking in the bush with the twittering birds keeping him company. He’s a very proactive 98-year-old who has called BaptistCare Aminya home for 23 years and is an absolute pleasure to have in company.
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30 November 2021
Stories
| Retirement Living
When Jack Weller is not travelling around the countryside, he is out walking in the bush with the twittering birds keeping him company. He’s a very proactive 98-year-old who has called BaptistCare Aminya Retirement Village home for 23 years and is an absolute pleasure to have in company.
“When my wife passed away 37 years ago, I had a four-bedroom home with no one else at home. I had a heart attack playing golf. I spent time in hospital, and once I was out, someone came to mow my lawns. I wasn’t happy with the way they cut it, it wasn’t the way I did it. So I sold the house and bought a unit,” said Jack.
It took Jack a few turns of purchasing other properties before finding BaptistCare Aminya Retirement Village in Baulkham Hills. “My daughter’s mother-in-law lived here, she liked it, so my daughter said move in. I was very pleased, I still am,” said Jack.
“Transport around here is extremely good for me. We’re just 200 yards from a bus stop that can take you anywhere.”
Amongst Jack’s favourite hobbies is visiting nieces and nephews around the country, jumping on buses to unknown destinations. “I reckon I’ve travelled further than Marco Polo,” Jack says laughing.
“I’ve got two grandsons, a grand-daughter and nieces and nephews in Brisbane. And one grandson in Adelaide, so I have plenty of places to go any time I want.”
Jack’s most recent trip to the sunshine state was in June, before the latest outbreak. “Until this Coronavirus came about, I wasn’t prepared to sit on my veranda and wait for the sun to go down to go to bed. I’d get up of a morning, get a bus, and make my mind up as to where I was going on the way. It’s all about beating boredom.”
“Coming here, turned out to be a master stroke. There’s one thing you find is, you do grow old. And when you grow old, you can’t do the things you used to do when you were young.”
Jack’s often out and about, walking, on the grounds, in surrounding bushland, and to the local shopping centre if the weather permits. “I appreciate that it’s flat land to walk. Twice a month I walk up Railway Street, to see if I can do it, and I reckon I’m doing alright. I like to test myself.”
“It is a nice place. I’ve never had a bad or bitter feeling for the people here, I find (management) very amiable. Before the virus, there were entertainment groups, lots of activities, luncheons. I sincerely hope we get back there soon,” said Jack.