On a smoky Friday morning a very intense game of Noughts and Crosses is being waged in Port Macquarie.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The competitors are four-year-old Logan Pomroy and 96-year-old Marie Grealish.
Logan and Marie are not related.
The best of three match between Logan and Marie is close.
Eventually though Marie prevails much to Logan's despair. He sinks forlornly into his mother Ricky's arms.
Mum though is not deterred.
"As a parent when you play games you go a little bit easy on your kids," she tells the Port News.
"But Marie didn't, she was just out there for the championships," she said.
Ricky and son Logan have been participating in the intergenerational playgroup since its inception three weeks ago.
"Not having any extended family in the area it is really nice to connect with older people," Mrs Pomroy said.
"The advantage is having a connection with another generation that we don't have in our social circle.
"I want Logan to gain knowledge and understanding of life for an older person."
Ninety-six-year-old Marie Grealish appears to have relished the interaction too.
Like Ricky and Logan she doesn't have any family in Port Macquarie and the playgroup provides something unique to look forward to in her week.
"They are very sweet children," she said.
The playgroup at Maryknoll Hostel has roughly 15 toddlers and 15 aged care residents.
One Maryknoll resident June Foley said she was initially skeptical about the concept.
"I was worried I wouldn't know what to say to the children because I'm not very modern," she said.
"But I've enjoyed it very much.
"To see their little faces light up, they are so intelligent, they really are amazing."
Resident Sandra Wilson saw the recent ABC TV documentary 'Old People's Home for 4 Year Olds' and loved it.
"I think it is a great idea to mix old people with children because I have no grandchildren myself as I have never married," she said.
Family support coordinator at Centacare in Port Macquarie Stacey Karney said the playgroup is all about "relationship building" while focusing on different developmental areas for the children.
And it seems older people and children work well together.
"You bring an older person and a child together and they are like flowing water," Lifestyle coordinator at Catholic Care of the Aged Alison Sherratt said.
"It is amazing to see."
Indeed the interactions are heartwarming.
Port Macquarie mum Ashley Warne brings her two-year-old son Blake to the group.
"Blake is really shy and sensitive and I find he takes to older people really well," she said.
"As soon as he comes in he cuddles the older people and holds their hands and I love that.
"I feel if it brightens his day and their day then it is really good."
The intergenerational playgroup runs every Friday at Maryknoll Hostell from 10.30am-12pm.
What else is making news?
While you're with us, you can now receive updates straight to your inbox from the Port Macquarie News. To make sure you're up to date with all the news, SIGN UP HERE.
