On a sunny morning at the Warrigal Shell Cove aged care facility in Shellharbour, James Tebbutt is welcoming residents into his portable butterfly enclosure.
Colourful butterflies fly around the mesh gazebo feasting on sponge feeding sticks and fresh flowers, and landing on all who enter.
James says it can be a nostalgic experience for residents.
"Many have raised caterpillars to butterflies and it reminds them of that experience, so we are bringing them back to when they were young," he says.
Spending time with butterflies gives residents a lift. (ABC Illawarra: Justin Huntsdale)
"We find providing residents the opportunity to come outdoors and experience something different from their usual environment is a really beneficial thing for their mental health and wellbeing."
The enclosure is a 3-by-3-metre portable tent filled with live butterflies, their eggs, caterpillars and flowers for feeding.
'It's a wonderful place to be'
Warrigal Shell Cove community facilitator Scott Rayner says the butterfly enclosure provides an enriching experience for residents.
"As you can see with the looks on their faces, it's a wonderful place to be," he says.
"They love the interaction and looking at the life cycle of the butterflies.Â
"James is amazing. He has a really cool energy and loves hanging out with the residents, so it works both ways."
The mesh enclosure has seating and shade. (ABC Illawarra: Justin Huntsdale)
It is the second time James has brought his butterfly enclosure to the aged care facility.
"He's been able to get some of the more familiar species that everyone loves to find," Mr Rayner says.
"[It creates] little glimpses to what they used to do as children, being around family gardens or picnics.
"It's really great to see how evoking it can be for them."
James Tebbutt says his captivation with butterflies began at school. (ABC Illawarra: Justin Huntsdale)
Where the passion started
James's love for butterflies began when he was in grade four.
One of his classmates brought some eggs and caterpillars to class, along with a host plant in an enclosure.
"We were able to witness them transform into chrysalis and emerge as live butterflies that we were able to release," he says.
"For me, that experience was captivating, and I loved every moment of it. From there I knew this was something I wanted to continue pursuing."
James says he is fascinated by the intricate designs on the butterflies' wings and how they transform from a caterpillar.
James says there is a large demand for live butterfly releases at events. (ABC Illawarra: Justin Huntsdale)
Running a small business
Now aged 15, James breeds butterflies, sells chrysalis kits and provides live butterflies for releases for events such as funerals or memorials.
"There are both positive and negative aspects to running a business so young," he says.
"People are often more compassionate to me because of my age, but also there's people who don't take me seriously because of my age.
"Something I've taken away is to keep persevering because if it's something you enjoy doing, you're really going to succeed."
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