Spring in Marlene’s step

When it comes to gardening, Braeside Park resident Marlene Wake is in seventh heaven.

She loves growing vegetables, flowers and is looking forward to Spring when she can get out more to enjoy the sunshine and the community gardens in and around the village. Most of all, she is hoping to get her hands dirty in the communal edible garden.

Marlene moved to Braeside Park in December last year. She lives in one of the assisted living apartments where she has all the benefits of living independently but with support when she needs it, daily freshly cooked meals, and a community she loves being a part of.

“I feel safe, I feel surrounded by people who care, I can be myself,” is how Marlene describes her new life.

It is a far cry from her previous home in Bayswater in public housing.

“I had lived there for 20 years and it had changed considerably over that time,” Marlene said.

“Some of my friends had moved on, others died, and shady characters moved in. What was home for me turned into a place which no longer felt secure or where I wanted to be.”

She had never thought about moving into a retirement village until she heard about Braeside Park from fellow resident Lorraine Foster. She visited, liked what she saw, and put herself onto the waiting list.

“The day I was accepted was the day I felt my life had started over. I had found a place where people care for and about each other,” she said.

Caring is an essential part of Marlene’s life. She loves to help where she can, and spent much of her life working in hospitals or Residential cares helping with cooking and washing.

Marlene was widowed in 1980. Her children and grandchildren live across Victoria, and she is looking forward to lockdown lifting so that she can see them more regularly. Nevertheless, the idea of feeling lonely during lockdown is an alien concept to Marlene.

“I don't have hobbies really but I do love reading and walking, and it is a joy to be able to exercise for an hour each day or sitting in the sunshine with a book and a cup of tea.”

“Best of all, I enjoy staying at home. It is where I want to be.”