The plan is to hold it outdoors alongside the pond at the elderly people’s home near the hospital, but to move inside if the weather is bad. The organisers say: “Rain or shine everyone is welcome to come and see what we have to offer”.

The open day combined with a fete is part of an important two way process: people outside becoming familiar with the residents, and, in the other direction, for the aged residents themselves to feel part of the wider community.

There are 51 residents, aged from their early 70s to their late 90s and many of them have been active making items for sale at the fete. 

Favourites have been picture frames, flower decorations and bath salts.

One of the organisers, Carole Griffiths, said: “We will be having a garage sale, sausage sizzle lunch, coffee shop, plants, silent auction, guessing competition, cake stall, honey and jams, knick-knacks, books and clothes.

Residents from other retirement communities are also expected to come, particularly from the Roseneath and Tenterfield nursing homes and the Armidale Masonic Village.

The purpose of the day is threefold: to give activity to residents, to raise money and to offer the public outside the chance to view the facilities.

Apart from the stalls, there will be entertainment provided by Red Range School and Glen Innes Dance group.

The Masonic Villagge started as a hostel for old people in 1990, standing on the site of a timber mill called Potter and Greenaway.

Eventually, local people raised money and, with a donation from the Royal Freemasons’ Benevolent Institution, a 28 bed hostel was built.

For the last 17 years, six two-bedroom villas have been there as well as 220 “care beds”. There is an eight bed dementia unit.

In 2009, the Royal Freemasons’ Benevolent Institutional took over the village from the local community and improvements were made.

Even though it is run by the Masons, the residents don’t have to be. General Manager, Bernard Beatty, said that residents paid a fee in accordance with the Commonwealth Government’s Aged Care Act.

The Masons who run retirement villages like to cite “quotes to grow old by”:

“We turn not older with years, But newer every day.” – Emily Dickinson.

“Old wood best to burn, Old wine to drink, Old friends to trust, And old authors to read.” – Francis Bacon.

But: “Old age ain't no place for sissies.” – Bette Davis.