The ‘Apokries’ Masquerade Party on February 24 saw staff, friends and family of the Fronditha Care Newcastle residential aged care facility and other local Novocatrians let their hair down.

Coinciding with the Greek cultural celebration of the “Apokries”, or “Carnivale”, the event included a three-course meal of Greek food and lots of live music. A local dance troop donned some traditional Greek carnival costumes and masks, while the Shed Masters band played all night for guests.

Hippocrates Association President Anna Marendy was blown away at the community support, with more than 220 people attending the event, including the former Newcastle Lord Mayor John McNaughton and his wife Margaret and Cr Matthew Byrne.

“It was wonderful, the night was very colourful,” she said. “It was such a success we’re now considering doing the event every year.”

There was a huge team of volunteers who worked tirelessly to make masks and set up the hall, while the Fronditha Care chef finished his shift at the facility then went directly to the hall to cook up a storm for invited guests.

Guests were blown away at the numerous lavish deserts the chef handed out in martini glasses.

More than $5300 was raised, all of which will go directly into providing the best level of care for the elderly residents in Fronditha Care’s HIPPOCRATES facility.

The Hippocrates Australian Greek Aged Persons Association and Fronditha Care’s nursing home residents have been very close, quite literally situated next door to each other and connected by a covered walkway.

Hosting weekly bingo games and offering their function centre to the residents for activities, the partnership goes back to when the nursing home was first constructed in 2011.

Thanks was extended to the association, all the Newcastle Fronditha Care staff and the volunteers for a wonderful event.

Fronditha Care is a not-for-profit provider of residential and community aged care services that celebrate residents’ cultural and linguistic background.