But a stroke had all but stopped Alan ‘Digit’ Dick from one of his many loves: enjoying the ocean.

The Garden Village resident can communicate through hand and eye gestures and it was during a regular visit from his family that the idea came about to try and get ‘Digit’ to the ocean.

Fortunately, the village’s chaplain Tony Sullivan had created a program for residents to make their dreams come true: Dream Weaving.

So a few weeks ago, on a warm and sunny day, Alan ‘Digit’ Dick made a return to the beautiful beaches of Port Macquarie that were his love and have played so much importance to his life.

A fifth generation Port Macquarie resident, 'Digit’ spent most of his life on the Hastings River as an oyster farmer and ripping into opposition sides as a running fullback with the Port Macquarie Rugby League Club.

He is also known for the many people he rescued over the years with his involvement in the regions sea-rescue organisation.

Digit’s family, Port Macquarie-Hastings Council and Garden Village’s Dream Weaving program joined hands to return the local resident to Flynns Beach to enjoy the sun and fresh, sea breezes again. 

“Many of his mates of past years welcomed him on his return, which was much appreciated by Digit and his family,” said Mr Sullivan.

The Dream Weaving program started four years ago and has helped many of the residents achieve their dream.

One of the first dream realised under the program was to assist a village resident enjoy an aeroplane flight, said Mr Sullivan.

“Some residents feel down about their loss of physical mobility and this causes other associated issues,” the chaplain said.

“Our staff are encouraged to talk with the residents and their families to help uncover their dreams. In this way, everyone – the resident, the family, the staff and Garden Village – get an upside going.

“We even take photographs of their dream being realised and this becomes a constant, positive reminder of the resident’s achievement.

“There is really no downside to this program.”

Mr Sullivan said he is continuing to provide more programs for men within Garden Village.

“They are the small demographic in most organisations such as Garden Village,” he said.