PHOTOGRAPHS of colourful birds, unique insects and stoic reptiles adorn the walls of the Yarrabee Aged Care waiting room, all of which are the work of resident photographer Desmond Richens.
With a passion for nature and conservation, he has been regaling fellow residents and staff members with flora and fauna facts since moving into the complex last year.
Desmond grew up near rainforest country on the Tweed River, which is where he first became interested in nature around age 10.
“My parents bought a bird book, so I went and found all the birds around the place – that was my interest,” he said.
Working in farming and gardening throughout his life gave Desmond the extensive knowledge of soil and plants he loves to share today.
He also recently spent time on his daughter’s farm in Dungog, New South Wales, where he was able to study the nearby rainforest and its plentiful birds and wildlife.
At Yarrabee Aged Care, Desmond can most often be found out in the garden or wandering the tracks of the surrounding bushland, appreciating nature’s majesty and taking photos of the incredible creatures to share with others.
“The more information about rainforests, the better,” he said.
“The more I can tell other people about rainforests, the more they get interested, the more they can conserve it.
“Everybody has a different interest, so I find out what their interest is, and I advance them on that interest.”
Desmond relies on the assistance of Yarrabee Aged Care activity officer Rebecca Cue and fellow staff members to explore and research the great outdoors.
“He’s very talented and he loves going around and educating me on different things,” Rebecca said.
“We’ve had plenty of lovely walks where we’ve been able to see some beautiful water dragons, turtles and wallabies.
“It makes you wonder how much we don’t stop and take notice of what beautiful things we have around here, and Des actually captures them on his camera.”
