Jim Lydemore, Tony Glasson and Cyril Wreide
Over the past 14 years, the residents at Carlyle Gardens Retirement Village have brought smiles to countless young faces with their toy-making charity project, and this year they will partner with Bunnings Warehouse Bundaberg to produce more toys than ever before.
Bunnings Warehouse have generously shown their support by donating the materials needed to make toys including tractors, trailers, rocking chairs, cradles and hobby horses.
Over the years, thousands of these toys have been donated to national charities like Aussie Helpers and the Salvation Army, as well as local community groups such as the South Kolan Kindergarten.
The group plans to expand to include even more kindergartens and play groups, thanks to their new partnership with Bunnings Warehouse.
Carlyle Gardens resident Ernie Nankivell, who has been a key member of the group since it was formed in 2000, is thrilled with the news and remembers how the group first began.
“One of the neighbours said, ‘why don’t we start making toys for underprivileged kids?’” he says.
“‘Get a few of the blokes who are watering lawns that don’t need it and give them something to do.’”
“That’s how it all started.”
Several of the village’s male residents lead the charge, meeting weekly in the Carlyle Gardens workshop to build the toys.
The project is a great way for the residents to stay active and involved, which many retirees can find difficult as the years go on.
Making toys each week, Ernie says, “gives them something to do”.
“We all enjoy it.”
Village Manager Mandy Julian says, “It’s a fantastic initiative and we’ve really seen how it benefits all involved.”
“For the men especially, it’s so important to have a creative outlet and a place to get together and socialise, and this is a great way for them to do just that!”
For Ernie, it’s more about making a difference in the community.
“We send a load of three or four hundred toys out to Aussie Helpers in Charleville every year,” Ernie says, “and another about the same to send to the Salvation Army.”
“We get some lovely stories from the kids that get the toys and that’s what keeps us going.”
Ernie Nankivell
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