MT HUTTON CELEBRATES “THE YEAR OF THE FARMER”

The staff and residence of Mt Hutton Retirement Village, Injune are to be congratulated on the excellent effort put in to celebrate “The Year of the Farmer”.

Pastor Gary and I drove from Roma to spend most of Wednesday 25^th July at the Village. At the front entrance we were greeted by scarecrow Farmer Jones inviting us to take the stock route (down the hallway) and along the journey enjoy the pictorial real life stories of the residence and their family properties.  Photos, paintings, craft, old wares, memorabilia, paper clippings and articles showed the diversity of farming in the Injune area. Different facets of farm life such as cattle dogs, animal nursery, machinery, harvesting, sawmilling had other designated wall space.

In the main dinner/living  room, special areas highlighted specific farming type e.g. Pigs, Poultry, Cattle. Large displays of agricultural products and produce were eye catching as we walked round.       

A central attraction, set out on a table top was a large model of a farm complete with vegetable garden, chook coupe, tractor shed and even a working water feature dam and tank.  Robyn Maxwell and husband assisted residence with this amazing project and Robyn was the creative staff member who directed the residence, giving much of her own time to make this a fantastic display.

Gary and I enjoyed a special morning tea with residence then I entertained for an hour with solos and sing-a-longs which revolved around farming. ‘Old Mc Donald’ was a favourite and I sang several pieces from Oklahoma. We also remember old time playground games like ‘the farmer in the dell’.  The residence were in fine voice and enthusiastically played tiny tambourines, bells and shakers.

 Pastor Gary then did a communion service and a short devotion sharing the origins of the stump jump plough and the tradition of the ‘Blessing of the Plough’. A delicious roast lunch was served and we had plenty of time to chat and hear their many stories of life growing up in the country. Gary also shared some stories from our last year working on properties doing “Outback Ministry”. Plenty of laughs and comments were returned. After Gary assisted with the dishes (due to staff shortage), residents Clyde and Flossie presented us with a thankyou gift, hand painting by Clyde. What a thrill!

 

Next we were able to stay on for a while and observe Lynn Kadell doing her once a month painting class with the residence. Here Judy, Jackie, Lynn and Clyde stand in front of some of their creations

 

The previous day children from the primary school had been invited to visit the Farming display and quizzes and questions were also set up around the room and hallway for them. The following day more students were to visit and I know they would have been excited to see and learn from such a marvellous display. We do need to be reminded of what the farmers do for us and support them as much as we can. Put simply “without them, we don’t eat”. We have been privileged to be visiting and getting to know the staff and residence at Mt Hutton each month since taking up a short term ministry at the Roma Church of Christ.         

Pam Hine