A trip down memory lane

HEATHCOTE Health resident Gary Ray Ellis recently enjoyed a special day out thanks to the Royal Flying Doctor’s Memory Lane program.

Volunteers from the Memory Lane program took Mr Ellis and friend Garry Connally to the Holden Museum in Echuca.

“Both men are car enthusiasts,” said Carol Fanning, leisure and lifestyle coordinator at Heathcote Health.

“The pair competed at Bathurst in the eighties with the likes of Peter Brock, in their own Commodore.

“Museum owners, Tony and Mark, made everyone welcome with VIP treatment.

“RFDS volunteers Stephen, Ruby and Narelle were true champions, making Gary’s day with lunch at The Port and admiring the mighty Murray.

“We had a great team behind the scenes at HH who helped it happen, too.

“This was our third Memory Lane trip. One resident was able to visit a family farm and another went to Lake Eppalock where he used to spend Sunday afternoons with his wife.”

Heather Morecroft from the RFDS Memory Lane program said the idea originated in the Netherlands with the Ambulance Wish program.

“There was a delay in preparing a palliative care bed for a patient who asked the paramedic transporting him if he could take him to the docks, one last time.

“He had previously worked there. He enjoyed a special visit and the Ambulance Wish program was born.

“There are now programs all over the world. In Queensland and Western Australia it is known as Ambulance Wish.

“Here in Victoria the Memory Lane program is facilitated by ambulance crews, doctors and nurses, volunteering their time and skills.”

The program was launched in May 2021.

“Clients are able to visit a special place, it could be the beach or back to their old home,” Ms Morecroft said. “It means a lot to clients and their families and their response is amazing.”