Community
18 July, 2024
Brian’s gift
MT VIEW Aged Care Facility has received an eye-catching new feature thanks to the generosity and talent of one of its own residents.
Mt View resident Brian O’Sullivan recently donated one of his prized windmills to the aged care facility, which has been prominently displayed at the front entrance.
The large windmill features a fully functional pump and connected water tank, all of which was built by Mr O’Sullivan using his own original concept.
It stands around three metres tall and features a striking red colour on the blades, tailfin and the water tower.
Mr O’Sullivan said he made the windmill around two or three years ago, but felt at his home it would not be seen by many people.
Most important to him, his grandkids can see it when they come to visit.
“It was at my house, but it wasn’t very visible so when I came up here I thought it might be more on public display,” he said.
“I created it out of my own brain.
“I’ve made quite a few of them, but this one is unique because it does pump water.
“It’s my own home-made design; I don’t know how long it took to make – how long is a piece of string?”
Mr O’Sullivan said he had had lived at Glenormiston all his life, during which time he has made more than 10 of the windmills, which have been dotted across the community over the years – the earliest of which still stands today in a testament to his craftsmanship.
“Some have been better than others and some did not have a water tank,” he said.
“But I’ve been making things all my life and a windmill seemed like an easy thing to make; it stands out, it doesn’t have much movement and it’s something other people can see.
“I’m no genius, just a bit of work and skill.
“I’ve never bought anything pre-designed for them except the valve for the pump.”
Terang Mortlake Health Service nurse Janine Carlin said the health service staff relished the opportunity for the facility to be enhanced with the creativity and abilities of the residents.
“It’s great to have someone like Brian who can gift us something which everyone enjoys,” she said.
“It’s great to have the windmill, and to be able to display his work.
“People always comment on in when they come in.
“The detail is great, and there has been a lot of positive feedback from everyone.”
The windmill is not the only creative pursuit Mr O’Sullivan has designed.
He previously has built a model rotary dairy, which was fully functional and featured resourceful ingenuity such as creating the rotating dairy from an old microwave motor.
“The trouble is the microwave turns about six times and then turns back the other way.” Mr O’Sullivan said.
