Delight as ‘elves’ deliver gifts

By Kath Gannaway
HEALESVILLE Primary School will be adding a new category to its Christmas gift appeal for nursing home and hostel residents next year.
In a quirky turn of events, the lovely, but bearded, Brian Ockwell, gave a wry grin as he opened his gift to find a shaver and shaving cream.
The irony wasn’t lost on the students, who were playing ‘Santa’ to residents of Schofield, either.
Their giggles and wide-eyed “what do we do now” looks added a touch of humour to the already special event.
School council president Kersten Gentle, who had organised the Giving Tree for residents of Healesville’s four aged hostels, already has a contingency plan for 2007.
“We had vouchers for ‘male’, ‘female’, ‘diabetic’ but it looks like we will have to add ‘bearded/not bearded’ next year,” she said.
Healesville Primary School students had delivered gifts, donated by members of the school and wider community to residents of Monda Lodge, Healesville and District Nursing Home, Holmwood Nursing Home and Schofield over the past week.
Ms Gentle said the response had been overwhelming and heart warming.
More than 130 gifts were donated and there were smiles, kisses and cuddles as the gifts were delivered by the pint-sized elves in school uniform.
Ms Gentle said the gifts were the community’s way of valuing its older residents.
“Even though you may not get out into the community we want you to know you are part of our community,” she told the residents.
Claire Bell, manager of Schofield, said it had been lovely for the residents to receive the gifts, but especially to have them presented by the children.
“They don’t always get to see a lot of children, so that was something very special,” she said.