Holmwood Aged Care Community Highlights January 2026: Celebrating Connection and Joy

Holmwood Aged Care Community Highlights January 2026 showcase a month filled with laughter, celebration and genuine connection. From milestone birthdays to friendly competitions, live music sessions to culinary adventures, we've embraced the new year with energy and enthusiasm that truly captures the spirit of our community.

Birthday Celebrations Across the Month

We've had the pleasure of celebrating some wonderful milestones this January. Jean's 98th birthday was a particular highlight – 98 years young and still bringing joy to everyone around her! We also marked special days with Anne, who celebrated her birthday at the start of the new year, Kevin, Isla, and Gail. Each celebration reminded us that age is just a number when you're surrounded by people who care.

Australia Day BBQ – Community Comes Together

Our Australia Day celebration brought residents, families and staff together for a classic Aussie BBQ. There's something special about sharing a meal outdoors, with the smell of sausages on the barbie and the sound of conversation and laughter filling the air. It's these moments that strengthen the bonds within our Holmwood family.

Live Music Every Friday

This year, we've committed to bringing live music to Happy Hour every Friday at 2pm, and January kicked off this wonderful tradition perfectly. Jack "the music man" took centre stage and had everyone tapping their feet and singing along. Whether you're there to listen, dance, or simply enjoy the atmosphere with a beverage in hand, these Friday sessions have become something we all look forward to each week.

Residents Vs Staff Snooker Tournament – Friendly Competition at Its Best

Our inaugural Residents Vs Staff Snooker Tournament was an absolute smash hit! The competitive spirit was alive and well, whether you were playing, cheering from the sidelines, or enjoying the refreshments. Monday nights at 7pm have now become our regular pool games night, and lessons with the lifestyle team are in hot demand. We're already looking forward to the next competition – may the best player win!

The Holmwood Open – Our Answer to Melbourne

While Melbourne hosted the Australian Open, we created our own sporting spectacle with the Holmwood Open. Our table tennis tournament featured singles, doubles, staff versus residents, and cooperative matches that had everyone engaged. The atmosphere was electric, with those watching taking turns as chair umpires when they weren't on the court themselves. It's this kind of playful rivalry that keeps our community vibrant and active.

Culinary Adventures in the Kitchen

Our summer baking sessions have been producing some delicious results! Residents have been sharing their treasured recipes and culinary skills, creating beautiful scones served with jam and cream, and baking moist, sweet citrus cakes that disappeared almost as quickly as they came out of the oven. There's something wonderful about the aroma of home baking and the stories that come with family recipes. We're keeping the next baking adventure under wraps for now – you'll just have to wait and see!

Community Outing to Terminus Hotel Healesville

We want to give a big thank you to the Terminus Hotel Healesville for being so accommodating during our resident outing this month. Getting out into the local community is important to us, and having welcoming venues that understand our needs makes these experiences all the more enjoyable.

Employee of the Month: Sarah

Congratulations to Sarah from our lifestyle team, who was named Employee of the Month for January 2026. Nominated by residents, visitors and colleagues alike, Sarah's dedication and warmth have made a real difference to our community. Well done, Sarah – this recognition is truly well deserved.

Looking Ahead

January has set a wonderful tone for 2026. The energy, connection and joy we've experienced this month remind us why we love being part of the Holmwood community. From celebrating personal milestones to creating new traditions, from friendly competitions to shared meals, every moment contributes to the vibrant, engaged community we're proud to call home.

We're excited to see what February brings, and we'll continue to create opportunities for connection, celebration and meaningful experiences together.

Contact Holmwood Aged Care today to arrange a personalised tour and learn why families throughout the Yarra Valley trust us with their loved ones' care.

Phone: (03) 5962 3399

Location: Healesville, Victoria

Serving: Healesville, Yarra Glen, Warburton, Lilydale, Coldstream, Yarra Valley, and outer eastern Melbourne