Rick’s reptile reunion at HillView Care

At HillView Care, we believe every one of our residents has a story to tell – one that’s worth celebrating and honouring. Recently, we had the privilege of witnessing an incredible one that involved our much-loved resident Rick. 

We were lucky to have local snake catcher and reptile expert Tony Harrison visit HillView to host his annual reptile show earlier this year, and as always, his show sparked plenty of smiles and unforgettable memories. What Tony didn’t expect was to meet someone who had once lived and breathed the world of reptiles — and who helped shape the very career path he now walks.

That someone was Rick, one of our much-loved residents. At 97 years young, Rick may be enjoying the quieter comforts of aged care now, but his past tells a much wilder story. 

As a long-time wildlife handler and manager at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, Rick spent decades wrangling reptiles, caring for native animals and educating the public about Australia’s incredible biodiversity. His passion for wildlife ran deep, and his dedication to conservation and animal care left a lasting impression on all who worked alongside him.

And as it turns out — that includes Tony.

“Today was just one of those special days,” Tony wrote on Facebook after the show. “The great part about it was one of the residents at this place was one of the long-term managers from Currumbin Sanctuary… Rick at 97 got in there and handled crocodiles like it was yesterday.”

During Tony’s visit to our Gold Coast residential aged care home, Rick couldn’t resist stepping back into his element. As the reptiles were brought out, memories reignited for Rick and once again handled the creatures he had spent so many years working with. The crowd watched as he moved with the ease and confidence of someone who had done it a thousand times before.

“It literally brought tears to my eyes to see the joy he felt doing this,” Tony shared. “He told me Currumbin Sanctuary was the greatest time of his life. He worked until 80 years young — what a legend.”

Tony was so moved by the experience at HillView Care, he picked up the phone and rang one of his old mentors — Matt, a former reptile curator at Currumbin Sanctuary, to tell him who he’d just seen. “You won’t believe who I have here,” he said. “Dingo man himself.”

It was a powerful reminder of the rich lives our residents have lived and a reminder of the passions that still burn brightly within them.

At HillView Care, we love to bring joy and connection to our residents in ways that are deeply personal. That means creating opportunities for moments like this, where past and present collide and passion is reignited. Whether it’s through special guests, events, or everyday interactions, we recognise the importance of honouring each resident’s story and helping them stay connected to the things they love.

For Rick, it was a reunion with a lifelong passion, a moment to be seen for who he is, not just who he was. And for the rest of us, it was a chance to be inspired by a man whose dedication to wildlife, education and hard work continues to ripple through generations.

Tony summed it up best: “This is a very rewarding part of our job — when we can bring joy and education together. Today was just that.”

Thank you to Tony and the team for bringing their reptiles (and so much heart) to HillView Care, and most of all, thank you to Rick for showing us that age might slow us down, but we’ll always remember our true passions.

To see what else is in the lineup this month at HillView Care, see our lifestyle activity schedules for Merrimac and Ashmore.