FLASHBACK

Conference on the bridge ... HMAS Woodstock captain Arthur Anderson, centre, confers with Alfred Cooch, left, and Stewart Hindmarsh. Picture by Paul Melville. Clippings from The Glebe and Western Weekly, July 1989.

A SYDNEY winter of long ago has a special place on the mantelpiece of my mind. 
The dateline, July 1989, is etched on a trophy that came to me by pure chance through a set of circumstances that showed not only the importance of diversional therapy for the elderly in care but also the arrogance of youth.
Recently, while 'thinning out' archives from boxes of newspaper clippings and other artefacts from my many years in journalism I came across documents relating to that trophy –.a photocopy of an article I wrote as senior reporter for The Glebe and Western Weekly and a memo from the group's editor-in-chief, Wendy McCormack, awarding me for the 'best feature story' of the month.
An event at the Woodstock Nursing Home, Strathfield, had taken me on a memorable journey. Here's how it came about.

Someone in management of News Ltd suburban newspapers had a scheme to cut editorial costs. The practice had been for reporters to use order forms to book photographic assignments, then to travel individually with the photographer by car at the appointed time.
However, it was decided to organise assignments so a number of reporters could travel in the car on one round trip with stops for their engagements.
On that winter's day I was one of two reporters on the back seat and another was the front passenger.
When we stopped outside Woodstock, the young man in the front, James [I'll spare him from identification], said to photographer Paul Melville: "I'll wait here while you take a picture. It's only a group of old people pretending to have a cruise. I'll phone up later and get a few lines."
With seniority in the newsroom pecking order, I tried to discipline James, telling him that he should give the people the courtesy of a face-to-face interview.
After all, he was virtually on site and it was ridiculous to stay in the car. He refused to budge, so I unclipped the seatbelt and went inside.
The story ended up a fair bit longer than the usual yarn in a suburban 'rag' but there was a lot to tell:

THE good ship "HMAS Woodstock" plotted its course through the reef of nursing home boredom this week with a seasick captain, a secretive navigator and the VIP passenger retiring to her cabin to ponder biblical prophesies.
The ship departed from Strathfield as a federal minister reiterated the problem of boredom for the aged in nursing homes and, despite the misgivings of certain parties, it was rolling on big waves of plain good fun.
The fantasy voyage was part of a series of sessions giving Woodstock Nursing Home residents a taste of life on the high seas  through a travelogue-style program of videos, slides and talks about features of a dozen countries.
Former foundry worker Arthur Anderson, 69, admitted he felt "a bit sick" – having been an army gunner in New Guinea in the Second World War but now wearing a captain's uniform, on loan from the Navy.
"Navigator" Stewart Hindmarsh, 74, simply quoted the Official Secrets Act when asked about the Woodstock's course.
The home's eldest resident, Mrs Elsa Meldrum, 101, retired to her room early from this trip to the Greek Islands.
She confided she had "other things" on her mind.
"I believe in the prophesies," she said. "Everything that is happening in the world today is as it is in the Bible and I believe a new world will dawn with the Father at the head."
Outside, the "passengers and crew", most wearing first-class name tags and garlands, headed to the deck (veranda) for official photographs.
Surprisingly, there was no argument when Mr Hindmarsh suddenly assumed the role of purser from Alfred Cooch, 88, and pointed out forcefully: "I am in charge of the money."
But talk behind the scenes showed plainly that control of nursing home funds was firmly entrenched in another quarter – the Federal Government.
Housing and Aged Care Minister Peter Staples had just released a final report on residents' rights in nursing homes and said he expected the Government to respond in the August Budget.
Again, he emphasised major problems  for the aged in nursing homes included isolation, boredom and lack of control over their own lives.
The report recommended a charter of residents' rights and responsibilities to be part of every contract with a home or hostel.
"Other recommended priorities for government funding and action include employment of extra staff to improve the complaints handing system, to improve the access to information for residents and to set up a community visitors' scheme and other advocacy services," Mr Staples said.
Woodstock diversional therapist Jan Gilmer said she needed more time to consider the full ramifications of the report but it was already clear that increased funding for nursing home staffing should be a priority.
Diversional rtherapists emphasised the importance of leisure activities on maintaining independence and responsibility as much as possible, she said.
"And we really need purpose-built nursing homes, instead of adapting old houses, for the best care of the aged," she said.
"The aged have a lot to contribute to western society and we are biting at the bit to stop them from losing their desire and knowledge.
"When psychological withdrawal occurs ill health often follows.
"There really is a disease called helplessness but it can be staved off with the right approach. Give us the money and we will do it."
Ms Gilmer said more than 70 per cent of the home's residents were aged over 90 and had been "outside the travel boom" so they had not travelled widely and the travelogue idea was particularly helpful in keeping their minds active.
Meanwhile, just before a rousing chorus of a traditional farewell song called Now is the Hour, Annie Gilham, 94, was proving Ms Gilmour incorrect by recounting a 1954 trip to London via the Suez Canal.
Then the streamers flowed from the deck.
Now is the hour when we must say goodbye,
Soon you'll be sailing far across the sea,
While you're away, oh, please remember me,
When you return you'll find me waiting here. 

Well, that's about it. Thanks, James, for introducing me to diversional therapy and putting me on a pathway to make a contribution.