Troppo Bob dazzles guests
A touring Australian magician left a crowd of all ages dazzled last week.
Troppo Bob was in New Plymouth to perform one of two shows as part of the Mystery Magical Tour that is touring agedcare facilities around New Zealand.
He performed for a group of around 50 Radius Heatherlea rest home residents and their buddies, all students at Marfell Community School. Last month the school became part of a buddy programme set up by Radius Heatherlea to get young and old to team up, support and learn from each other.
‘‘Some of the residents don’t have family who live close by so this is a good chance for them to socialise,’’ Diversional therapist Lynne Robertson at Radius Heatherlea said.
‘‘Most of the kids probably wouldn’t get the chance to see a magic show so this programme benefits the both of us,’’ Robertson said.
It was a first time for Willow Hayman,11, a year-six student who really enjoyed the show.
‘‘He’s good and he’s really funny.’’ she said.
Although the show was still in progress, her favourite so far was when Troppo kept pulling coloured handkerchiefs out of his hands.
It was also the first time she’d visited the rest home’s residents but said she liked the idea of taking part in the buddy programme. While her grandparents lived in New Plymouth and she visited them regularly, Willow wanted to talk to people who were not able to see their grandchildren.
Activities co-ordinator Reem Lashin said some kids could often be scared of older people and this was a chance to help put them at ease.
‘‘It’s a good chance for kids to socialise and interact with the older generation,’’ she said. ’’This brings two Kiwi generations together.
‘‘Some of them are just blown away by a 99-year-old man we have here.’’
While some of the rest home residents involved in the programme struggled with their memory they all looked forward to the kids’ visits.
‘‘Some don’t remember what they had for lunch but they sure remember the kids visiting,’’ Lashin said.
‘‘They really look forward to hanging out with their buddies.’’