19 February 2020
Love and community connection were in the air on Valentine’s Day among a large group of residents and staff at St Mary’s Raceview. Residents were treated to a celebration of love with a morning tea, a choir performance, and singing along to old favourites in the function room decorated by the residents themselves. The musical entertainment was provided by the Alchemy Street Choir, a community choir and social inclusion project supported by the Ipswich City Council. Offering a range of songs, one that most residents enjoyed singing along to was John Denver’s Country Road.
Enjoying their own private table were Vincent and Ann Reis, residents at St Mary’s Raceview who this year celebrated 51 years of marriage. The couple were married and honeymooned in Townsville and lived most of their life in the Ipswich region.
The secret to a long and happy marriage, according to Vincent, 90, is that his wife is an excellent cook and he acknowledges that “she’s always right”. Ann, 84, agrees it’s true that the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach, but says that the real reason they’ve been married for so long is because Vincent has always been “a beautiful, calm man.”
The proud parents of three children and with three grandchildren, the couple enjoys taking part in activities at St Mary’s Raceview. Vincent enjoys playing cards and keeping up his exercise, while Ann enjoys keeping up to date by reading newspapers every day.
Residential manager Mohammed Sardar said that the Valentine’s Day event was a good opportunity for residents to enjoy each other’s company, the musical entertainment and delicious morning tea.
“Honouring the individual stories and celebrating occasions like Valentine’s Day is one way we love and care for our residents,” said Chief Executive Officer Jason Eldering.
Southern Cross Care Queensland is a not-for-profit Catholic organisation who have been providing aged care, retirement living and community care for over 40 years.
