Bringing Joy to Aged Care Residents Through an Inspiring Hospital Art Program

Mounties Group is pleased to announce it has secured a vital space for Hospital Art Australia, a Central Coast organisation bringing the joy of art therapy to aged care facilities across New South Wales. Through the combined support from Breakers Country Club, Halekulani Bowling Club and Club Wyong, the Hospital Art Cottage in Umina has secured its rent for the next 12 months. The funding from the ClubGRANTS program will significantly alleviate the pressure on Hospital Art’s dedicated volunteers, allowing them to focus on their invaluable work providing art therapy to aged care residents.

The Hospital Art Cottage serves as a hub where volunteers prepare canvases and paints several days a week. The Cottage, equipped with rooms and cupboards for storage, is essential for the operation of Hospital Art. Volunteers draw up scenes and mix paints, preparing thousands of canvases for distribution to aged care facilities annually. The art created through this program not only brightens the lives of residents but also stimulates meaningful conversations and memories.

Hospital Art was founded in 1999 by a visionary woman Patricia ‘Pat’ de Carle OAM who dedicated her life to integrating art into aged care. Her legacy continues through the efforts of volunteers and the support of organisations like Mounties Group. With this recent funding, Hospital Art is able to maintain and expand their program, bringing joy and creativity to more aged care residents than ever before.

“The Hospital Art Cottage is much more than just a building, it's the heart of our program. The support from Mounties Central Coast clubs ensures our volunteers have a dedicated space to prepare hundreds of canvases each year, bringing creativity and meaningful connections to residents,” said Vicki de Carle from Hospital Art Australia.

This support has already had a profound impact. The volunteers’ spirits were lifted, knowing their work is valued and their space secured for another year. This boost in morale led to the recruitment of a much-needed administrative volunteers and inspired local tradesmen to volunteer their services for Cottage repairs. Additionally, new facilities have been identified to expand the reach of art therapy, further enhancing the program's impact.

“It’s not just about donating money, our volunteers feel valued, which has led to new volunteers joining our team and local tradespeople offering their services. This creates a ripple effect, allowing us to serve more residents and build stronger community ties with our partner organisations,” Vicki added.

Beyond the immediate benefits of rent assistance, the clubs support empowers Hospital Art to explore exciting new possibilities. The newfound stability allows them to shift their focus from fundraising for basic needs to program development.

“Mounties Group is pleased to be able to support Hospital Art through our ClubGRANTS Program. Securing their rent for the Hospital Art Cottage in Umina allows their dedicated volunteers to focus on what they do best – bringing the joy of art therapy to aged care residents across the Central Coast and beyond,” said Mounties Group President, John Dean.

“We recognise the significant role Hospital Art plays in enriching the lives of aged care residents and it is clear that the Hospital Art Cottage is a vital space for their operations,” he added.

For more information on Hospital Art Australia, contact - 0437 999 797.