Percy Pyne laughs that if he was a cat, he would have used up his nine lives long ago.
He loved every day of his 30-year-career as a supervisor at the local council for the Otways but admits there were many hair-raising moments. Like when a tree fell on top of his car, how he narrowly missed being hit by a landslide and how he had to avoid kangaroos and emus leaping in front of his vehicle.
“We’d get call-outs at night during storms to say there were trees blocking roads,” explains Percy.
“We had to move quickly to keep the public safe.”
The years of putting safety first remain ingrained. It comes as no surprise that Percy, 94, and his wife, Ruby, 90, apply the same rules to living safely, independently and well in their Drysdale home of the last 27 years.
Both have a government-funded home care package through Uniting AgeWell and receive help around the home and garden. Percy accesses podiatry and physiotherapy along with a range of other services and supports for the couple.
Ruby loves reading and still does a bit of sewing. Percy, who was president and then treasurer of Apollo Bay Golf Club for many years, loves watching sport on TV.
They recently attended a sumptuous mid-winter christmas lunch hosted by Uniting AgeWell for Barwon Home Care clients.
“There was roast chicken, lamb and beef and absolutely wonderful sweets,” says Percy. “They treated us like lords and ladies.”
It was also a chance to chat to other home care clients – a wonderful reaffirmation that you can live independently at home with just a little extra help.
Percy and Ruby, who have been married for 69 years, love spending time with their huge family of four sons, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
“We are blessed to have so much happiness and joy in our lives,” says Ruby.
They are also delighted to be part of the Uniting AgeWell family.
“They do a marvellous job,” says Percy.
If you are interested in learning more about home care packages with Uniting AgeWell, call 1300 783 435 or visit unitingagewell.org/our-services/home-care
