HammondCare At Home client Frank Mawer in Nine News report on his annual caravan holiday

10 December 2020

Sydney’s oldest man and HammondCare At Home client Frank Mawer has returned for another holiday at the same Bateau Bay caravan park – on the caravan site - where he and the extended family have been holidaying for more than six decades.

The Mawer family annual summer holiday at the Blue Lagoon Beach Resort have been such a regular fixture at site no. 259  the  management named the adjoining street Mawer Street.

Nine News has broadcast a profile on Frank Mawer and the 63rd annual holiday get together at Bateau Bay that generally includes many of his six children, 13 grandchildren, 21 great grandchildren and 2 great, great grandchildren.

When not on holiday, Frank, 108, continues to live in his own two-bedroom Gymea unit with the support of HammondCare At Home care staff who drop by four times a week to support him.

He is almost certainly the oldest Australian not living in residential aged care. He cooks for himself, including the occasional roast dinner. Last year he even took himself on a trip to the Gold Coast last year.

 

Photo of Brian and Frank Mawer swimming at the beach

 

Frank, who has become a minor celebrity due to his age-defying life,  has a simple explanation for his love of the Bateau Bay spot and why he keeps coming back.

“It’s relaxing and the people around you are very good and the beach is so close. It’s a nice place to be,” he said.

Son Barry said when the family first started going to the Bateau Bay caravan park it was in a tent.

“If you had to go to the loos you had to go to a pit toilet. If you had a caravan park you were at the next level.”

HammondCare At Home Clinical Case Manager Narelle Wild said it has been a privilege to worth with Frank’s family to support his choice to live independently with a Level 4 Home Care Package.

“He is still going really well and is as sharp as a tack,” Narelle said.