THE simple joy of keeping chickens has been part of Orsolana Tymczuk’s life through 84 years and three countries.
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And it’s a pastime she’s held on to through her latest shift to Mercy Place Albury.
Mrs Tymczuk, known as Lina to staff and other residents, found she missed her chickens dreadfully when she moved from her Lavington home in December.
Mercy Place Albury lifestyle co-ordinator Michelle Phillips said the centre had experience with cats and dogs, and staff decided chickens could also fit in.
About a month ago, a coop was set up in an undeveloped garden area near the Mercy dining room and Mrs Tymczuk’s five chickens took up residence.
Among them was a beloved 17-year-old veteran.
“She used to come in with me and peck me in both legs … she’d want to be picked up,” Mrs Tymczuk said.
“I love them very much.”
Ms Phillips said the Tymczuk family helped with moving and maintaining the chickens, staff collected any eggs and Mrs Tymczuk fed the birds twice a day.
“We’ve arranged for a stick to be beside the gate all the time so she can go in unassisted,” Ms Phillips said.
“Quite a few of our residents will sit out there and one resident in particular, he’ll go out there and talk to them as well.
“The residents have all taken them on as their pet.”
Born in Italy, Mrs Tymczuk was wounded by a World War II bomb as a schoolgirl but had not realised how many fragments remained in her body until a 1953 X-ray in Britain.
She had moved to Scotland three years earlier to help fill a labour shortage in the textiles industry and later worked in high-end hotels.
Just how high-end came out when it was observed her married name, from her late Ukrainian husband Peter, did not have Italian origins.
“That’s what the Queen Mother said to me, ‘Why you have this name?’,” Mrs Tymczuk answered.
Mr and Mrs Tymczuk, who had four sons, immigrated to Australia 47 years ago, staying at the Bonegilla reception centre before settling in first Tallangatta and then Lavington.
Through all this change, keeping chickens to care for and talk to has been a constant, sometimes to the exasperation of other family members.
“(They’d say) ‘Why you not buy your eggs, it will be much cheaper,’” Mrs Tymczuk said with a laugh.
