Snap to that! CHERYL'S A WILD CARD

Her love of nature inspired the gran to create a game that puts fun into education

- Kasia De Vydt-Jillings

Launching her first business at 80 years old wasn’t on Cheryl Sands’ retirement bingo card. But that’s precisely what she’s done, proving it’s never too late to start again with the release of her native bird conservation card game Pest in the Nest.

“I never in a million years imagined this because I’m not business-oriented at all,” smiles Cheryl. “I’m just a hands-on, rustic girl who likes the bush and nature, and is always rescuing creatures.”

For four decades, the grandmother of nine and great-grandmother of five dedicated herself to a career in early childhood education, only stepping away at 68 when a knee injury forced her to.

Finding herself unexpectedly retired and desperately missing the days filled with wonder and play, Cheryl threw herself into grandparent duties, and began watercolour painting, specifically native birds.

Next came learning photography so she could digitally capture the birds she wanted to paint.

“But I discovered my eyes were not so sharp, so my beautiful great-granddaughter Kylah Jae, now 16, took over,” shares Cheryl proudly. “She came every fortnight to stay, and we would hop in the car with a picnic and drive down the coast. Her photography became my painting.”