ABOUT 14,000 kilometres separates Australia from France. However, the Ashleigh House Lifestyle team brought the Olympic atmosphere to Sale in July when it held its own opening ceremony.
It had it all: a procession of residents carrying flags and the hopes and dreams of a nation, a bagpipe-playing Scotsman, a breadstick presentation, synchronized swimming, flag raising, and plenty of cheers and banter to boost group camaraderie.
An energetic rendition of ‘I Don’t Know, But I’ve Been Told’ referencing residents enthused and inspired people in the residential hostel’s crowded living room.
“I don’t know, but I’ve been told. Ashleigh House will go for gold,
“It’s often said aloud. It’s all due to Fred McLeod,
“Marj Maester’s the one to beat. She won’t take to defeat,
“In our games, there’s no excuse. Gold is all we’ll take for Bruce,
“Betty has the will to win. When you lose, she will grin,
“Moulton’s are our winning pair. You can’t beat them fair and square,
“I don’t know but it’s been said. Our secret weapon is called Ed,
“Our wonder girl is named Hill. She’s backed by husband Bill,
“We don’t have to worry for Frank (last name). He’s got plenty in the tank,
“If you go against our Wayne. You will only suffer pain,
“I’ve words from you. Gold is all we’ll take for Stu,
“I don’t know, but I’ve been told. Ashleigh House will go for gold!”
Dotted around the walls of Ashleigh House, residents and staff were depicted in various sports. Their headshots had been cut out and glued to bodies playing tennis, soccer, athletics and swimming. At the main living room entrance, ‘Ashleigh House Olympic Village’ is emblazoned on the wall in green and gold letters.
Touches of France, such as a paper Arc de Triomphe and a model of the Eiffel Tower complete with twinkling fairy lights, transported people to Paris. The Olympic rings were the perfect backdrop for the Eiffel Tower, and flags hung from the ceiling, highlighting the coming together of nations.
An Olympic cauldron was the crowning achievement of the Ashleigh House maintenance squad, who also built the Eiffel Tower and Olympic rings. Resident Pat Brand, the official torchbearer, ignited the cauldron, and the flame arose, signalling the commencement of the games.
Ms Brand wore a T-shirt and carried a baton from the Queen’s Baton Relay of the 18th Commonwealth Games, which were held in Melbourne in 2006. Local participants lent the torch to Ashleigh House. The baton was made to weigh less than two kilos so that runners could easily carry it, but the designers wanted to make it big—nearly a metre long.
The baton’s journey to the opening ceremony all those years ago took exactly one year and one day. It arrived at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on March 15 during the opening ceremony of Melbourne’s 2006 Commonwealth Games. It was the first baton relay to visit all 71 nations of the Commonwealth.
With all the pomp of an official ceremony, Ashleigh House Head of the Board, George Froggo, raised the Olympic Flag before residents and guests sang the Australian national anthem.
“As we stand in this historic venue surrounded by the world’s finest athletes,” Chief Executive Officer Trevor Watson said, pausing for laughter.
He continued, “We are reminded of the power of sport to transcend borders, languages, and cultures.”
“Here in Ashleigh House, we embark on a journey of dreams and determination. Athletes from every corner of the globe have trained tirelessly, overcoming obstacles and pushing themselves to their limits.
“As we witness the lighting of the Olympic flame and the raising of the Olympic flag, let us be inspired by ideals of peace, friendship and respect that the Olympic Games embody. Let us cheer on our athletes with passion and sportsmanship, knowing that their performance will inspire generations to come.
“Let the 2024 Ashleigh House Olympic Games begin.”
After a less-than-speedy costume change, during which bagpiper David Hind started taking song requests from the crowd, the Ashleigh House Lifestyle team paraded into the lounge wearing goggles of all sizes, snorkels, flippers, and shower caps rather than swimming caps.
The powerful strains of Andrea Bocelli’s Italian tenor quieted the crowd as the Lifestyle team took their places in a makeshift Olympic swimming pool crafted from a draping of blue plastic tarp.
As ‘Con Te Partirò’ played, the Lifestyle team’s synchronized swimming routine unfolded. A spectacle of symmetry, the group floated and circled. Caught by surprise, Lifestyle team member Liza Pendlebury was pursued by a shark fin, much to the thrill of the crowd.
Lifestyle Co-ordinator Ann Cunningham said the team were grateful the routine came together on the day.
“Two days prior, we did a few practises and we got marked three out of 10… But we nutted it out as we always do.”
The ceremony, which lasted about 30 minutes, began the Ashleigh House Olympics. Over two weeks residents had the chance to participate in Olympic-themed activities, including corn hole, Olympic bingo, Mastermind, axe throwing, carpet bowls, egg and spoon races, and wheelchair races.
Ms Cunningham said residents can compete in at least two activities per day for medals.
“At the end of each Olympic activity first, second, and third get presented the medal. The national anthem is played, and they get presented their medals just like the Olympics.
At the games’ conclusion next Friday, Ms Cunningham said the overall winner will be presented with a prize at the closing ceremony.
“We’re keeping a medal tally, so the winner of the most gold medals will be the overall winner,” she said.
