Retired cabinet maker's lolly trolleys bring joy to older care residents

For months, retired cabinet maker Wayne Gallagher turned the garage of his Fern Bay home into a production line to roll out custom-made lolly trolleys.

Wayne, 67, provided his skills to fashion eight trolleys that will enable other volunteers to distribute sweets like musk sticks, diabetic treats, sultana boxes, chocolate, marshmallows, liquorice allsorts and jelly beans around HammondCare’s aged care homes.

“I’m pretty proud of how the trolleys turned out I have to say,” Wayne said. “I’m pleased to be able to use my skills in this way to help other people.”

Initially, Wayne built two of the trolleys for HammondCare’s Waratah and Cardiff aged care homes. Many of the residents in those homes live with dementia.

HammondCare was so impressed by the workmanship that six more were ordered for its homes elsewhere in NSW at Woy Woy, Wahroonga, Darlinghurst, Miranda, Horsley and Hammondville.

Wayne is one of 750 HammondCare volunteers who regularly give their time to help the independent charity achieve its Mission to improve the quality of life for people in need. Since HammondCare’s beginning in 1932, volunteers have played a central role in its operations.

The lolly trolleys under production in Wayne’s garage.

HammondCare has launched a new campaign for Volunteers’ Week to encourage more people like Wayne to consider the personal rewards that come from committing time to spread joy to older people.

“I invite you to come and share your passion because you will be surprised by the joy you will bring,” Chief Executive Mike Baird said in a short video, ‘Share Joy — Volunteer with Us’.

While costs of materials for the lolly trolleys were largely met by a grant from the HammondCare Foundation, all Wayne’s expert labour came without charge. He was so committed to their quality he sent photographs to HammondCare confirming each stage in their production.

Wayne started with HammondCare as a volunteer visitor to residents, playing table games, and going for walks around the gardens, to the aviary, to see the chickens and to Waratah Village for a coffee. For health reasons, he was unable to continue his visits.

“So it was wonderful to be able to work out a way from my own home to continue to help.”

Volunteer Co-ordinator Emma Egglestone said the lolly trolleys are versatile with the capacity to switch from carrying lollies to becoming a ‘happy hour’ cart or coffee cart or an ice cream cart — including a Mr Whippy recording — at some locations.

Egglestone said the lolly trolleys bring enormous joy to residents when they do the rounds. “You can see it in their faces,” she said.

In the video featuring Wayne’s cart, Baird explains in a light-hearted way through meeting with different volunteers what opportunities are available.

Opportunities to volunteer are varied, including music and art therapy, one-on-one companionship and more.

HammondCare is looking for more people willing to give 1–2 hours a week for 12 months or longer. Ranks are down compared to before the pandemic — an experience shared by many not-for-profit organisations reliant on volunteer support. The ‘Volunteering in Australia 2022’ report, released by Volunteering Australia last October, found COVID-19 had resulted in a “substantial decline” in participation.

Images courtesy of HammondCare.