Some of the former Glenara Children's Home boys took a trip down memory lane on Sunday as they looked around the Youngtown site filled of their childhood memories.
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The group shared stories of tractor rides across paddocks and carving their names into its steering wheel, dipping sheep, milking cows, swimming, getting into mischief, horse riding, saw-milling and basketball.
Michael Ling spent time in care homes in South Australia before he found himself in Glenara in 1971, under the care of Ray and Muriel Willis, along with his older brother.
Over his seven years at the home Mr Ling said the daily schooling, homework and chores helped him develop a strong work ethic which had benefited him into adulthood.
"It's a pity there's not a place like this now for kids," he said.
"Everybody had chores to do before breakfast because it was a massive place, and it was a good thing doing that...you had a sense of purpose.
"We milked the own cows here and I think myself and my brother we were about the last ones to do the milking."
The 57-year-old said initially he did not like the home but he grew an appreciation for what Mr and Mrs Willis had done.
"They tried to help these kids as much as they could because they were it, they had no help, they were here 24/7, 365 days of the year," he said.
"I think the most...was 80 to 90 odd (children) at one stage, which was a lot."
The home opened under the name Northern Tasmania Home for Boys in late 1921 before it became Glenara in 1973 to allow siblings to stay together in care.
A decline in the number of children at the home forced its closure in 1982 before it became a work preparation program aimed at helping young people to gain practical experience.
The Willis' introduced a holiday parent scheme and Mr Ling and the other boys would spend the school holidays and Christmas with a family.
A special bond developed and many of the boys still visit the families, in one case one of the men has been visiting his for 51 years and spends Christmas dinner with them every year.
"I still see them...they've flown me up to visit them in Queensland twice," Mr Ling said.
"I'm about to drive up there to see them, my mum and dad."
The event on Sunday afternoon at Glenara Lakes highlighted the site's past, present and future with photographs and newspaper clippings on display, and a presentation on the timeline leading to the aged care facility.
The site was sold to Southern Cross Care in 2000 and it became Glenara Lakes Retirement Aged Care Facility.