Break up day was 11th December. Maureen and Margaret put on a good comedy. Several members came out dressed representing different countries. There was a different little ditty said for each country along with a verse of the song "We are Australian"

Miss Bra-zil

 Miss Chilli

 

All the actors representing all the countries

 

There were many raffles with very good prizes, some made by members

 or contributed by members.

 Tyson Lucas, schoolboy, a good country music singer played

 our type of music on his guitar. He was very polite and obliging

 A good time was had by all.

On Friday 12th December 2014, we had our Christmas party

with a very delicious meal of various meats and baked veges,

followed by sweets with choice of plum pudding and custard

 or and apple crumble. Plenty of food and seconds if so desired.

It was held at the Hotel Allen in their bistro and lounge.

We had the Country music band "The Beats" playing our type

of  music. A fantastic end to the year.

Bingo will be commencing on the 6th January 2015

Hoy 7th January

Snooker, table tennis, euchre, community singing,

 indoor bowls, board games on the 8th January.





Melbourne Cup Day was enjoyed by many.We didn't have to go to Flemington to see the fillies.  
Just look at these ladies with their wonderfully created hats.
Here is Pat with her beautiful hat. She won the biggest prize in the sweeps. There were 5 suites. So there were plenty of opportunities to win. Poor Bob our President in the sweeps, jinxed the favourite and the 2nd winner

.

 Concentration:- And they’re racing

.

A very tense moment. Everyone with their eyes glued on the set. 

 

Open Day 9th October 2014

Open Day 9th October 2014

 

An exciting day was had by all. Several of our visitors won raffle prizes. We had a country music band called “Caught in the Middle” (Glenda Pope, Eddie Albert, and Richard O’Sullivan). They played music suited to line dancing which was very popular with our line dancing group as well as some ballroom dancing. Many got up and danced. Morning tea was as usual superb, something there for everyone. There was a choice of snooker, table tennis, indoor bowls, rummikub (board game), and euchre.   Several new people tried some of the activities new to them that was on display. The art group showed off many of their water colour which sparked an interest from several people. All this was followed by a delicious BBQ for $4.00.

New leadership team takes the reins

Thursday, 28th August, saw a big crowd of Townsville Senior Citizens gathered at the hall for the Annual General Meeting. 

The initial part of the meeting was chaired by outgoing president, Neil Ace, who has given five years of hard work to the demanding role of President.  

After his report and that of the Treasurer, Bev. Fry, the elections for the incoming committee were conducted resulting in the following people assuming their roles for the coming year:

President:                      Bob Walker
Vice President:              Maureen Fewin
Secretary:                      Joan Clark
Treasurer:                     Beverley Fry
Committee members:    Max Burge
                                      Brian Cook
                                      Tony Green
                                      Nelson Hagstrom
                                      Tom McCulloch
                                      Stuart McLean

Here are a couple of snaps taken on the morning:

New President Bob gives outgoing President Neil a framed Certificate
of Appreciation for his meritorious service over many years

New Committee:  L to R Nelson Hagstrom, Max Burge, Tom McCulloch,
Bev. Fry (Treasurer), Bob Walker (President), Joan Clark (Secretary),
Stuart McLean, Brian Cook.  (Tony Green absent.)

                             
Townsville Mayor, Ms Jenny Hill, has kindly agreed to continue to be the patron of the TSC and Mr Peter Duffy of Wilson, Ryan and Grose the Honorary Solicitor.  

A new auditor will be sought as Hunter and sons, who have served the organization for many years, have indicated they are no longer accepting auditing work.

The members of Townsville Senior Citizens look forward to a happy and collaborative relationship with their new committee. They sincerely thank those members who served on the past committee and those who made their names available for nomination for the new one.
  

Another Great Expo Experience!

Candi and visitor chat to Deputy Mayor Vern Veitch at the Expo.

Wednesday, 22nd August in the midst of Seniors Week was a red letter day for Townsville Senior Citizens.  It was the day that they, along with members of many other organizations, publicized and demonstrated their activities for visitors to the Seniors Expo.

Tony has this lady's attention!

Many members volunteered to chat with passers-by about their club while others handed out brochures and still others showed off some of the activities that Townsville Senior Citizens has to offer.

Anne and Dulcie demonstrate Rummikub

Betty (seen here with May) hands out brochures

Here is a photo of one of our artists demonstrating how it's done!

Artist Lee working on her painting

And here's a snap of our euchre players in action.

Many thanks to all those who helped to make the day such a success.  We hope we've intrigued some potential members and we look forward to welcoming them soon at our club at 16 Ryan Street, Belgian Gardens.

A garden is a lovesome thing...

Poet Thomas Edward Brown (1839 - 1897) certainly knew what he was writing about when he penned these famous words. But lovely gardens don't just happen.  It is no accident that the gardens of the Townsville Senior Citizens Centre at Ryan Street are looking especially attractive at the moment.

The recent installation of a purpose-designed irrigation system has undoubtedly made a big difference to the appearance of the grounds but human effort has contributed a great deal as well.

Our gardener, Ray Czech, has worked hard to keep our garden looking trim, and he has been ably assisted by the efforts of a number of industrious volunteer working bees headed up by President Neil Ace.  

Here are a few pictures of some pleasant nooks in our garden...

The results of all the work that has gone into the garden have shown how much can be achieved by a combination of professional and volunteer effort.  Many thanks to Ray, Neil, Dave, Tony, Tom, Andy and Brian who have all worked so hard to make our lovely garden possible.

Christmas in July Celebrations

Christmas in July was celebrated with gusto this year on 11th July, 2014, and the 74 happy guests enjoyed some very tasty Christmas fare - a mixture of delicious meats, cooked vegetables and salad, plus some yummy desserts.

Happy Diners

There was also some great entertainment.  The Palmerston Singers (see picture below) gave a wonderful rendition of some favourite songs.  These were made even more special because everyone was encouraged to join in.

The Palmerston Singers in action

Next, the club's own line dancing troupe showed everyone some enticing dancing moves.  It was fun being treated not only to some fabulous line dancing routines but also to demonstrations of some old time dancing as well!

In the photo above we see three of our members - Candy, Pat and Shelagh - getting ready to lead us in the Gypsy Tap and the Pride of Erin.  Thankyou, girls!

Vale Beatriz Pla

The passing of Beatriz (Betty) Pla has left a big gap in the Townsville Senior Citizens' family.  We will remember her very fondly and will miss her happy presence at our Thursday meetings.

We extend our sincere condolences to Betty's daughter, Gloria, and son, Jim, as well as to her good friend, Rosa Lejargegui, who was always at her side at Seniors' gatherings at Ryan Street.

Another Great Bus Trip!

Maureen Fewin sure knows how to organize a bus trip!


This adventure took place on 2nd June, 2014, and involved many interesting stops around Townsville along the way.

The first attraction was an outside view of the Pallarenda "House Rules" home that has figured on the TV up until recent times.
  
Imagine how surprised bus traveller Mary Jones was to realize that this house had in fact once been her home!  It looks as if Mary will have some memories to share with the new tenants Maddi Carter and Lloyd Wright (see photo  right from TDB) who have only just bowed out of the T.V. renovation program.

The next stop was the Jezzine Military Museum located in the beautiful new Jezzine Parklands.  The whole area breathes history and of course lots of memories for those who have lived in Townsville for many years.  Photo below comes from T.C.C.

Then it was on to the Golden Arches for a delicious McDonalds morning tea, coffee and muffins, followed by a trip round the James Cook University where President Neil (who worked there at one stage) was able to give a running commentary about the many buildings that dot the grounds.

Photo from J.C.U.

The next attraction was the beautiful Dan Gleeson Memorial gardens...

Photo of Dan Gleeson Park from Townsville City Council

By now, however, everyone was starting to feel peckish so it was on to the Kirwan Tavern for a great lunch and dessert.

Photo from Kirwan Tavern website

The next stop was Anderson Park (see below) but, as everyone had eaten very well at the Kirwan Tavern, no-one felt inclined to get out and walk.  The lovely views had to be taken from the bus!

Photo of Anderson Park from T.C.C.

It was hardly surprising then that, when all the happy travellers reached the hall again, all were feeling thoroughly satisfied but keen to hurry home and perhaps get a little afternoon sleep!

Many thanks, Maureen, for arranging such a great outing.

Young at heart!

Here we see members Heather McLeod and Eric Adams enjoying a spin down the Strand with Crikey Trikey Joy Rides.  

Being in the "autumn" of Townsville's year, it was not unduly hot and it was reported to be a fantastic ride by these two intrepid adventurers.

This great experience was a prize in the Association's Mothers' Day raffle which had been held shortly before.

Gold in them thar hills

Monday, 28th April dawned bright and sunny as a group of Townsville Senior Citizens prepared to board the RSL bus for a visit to the fascinating town of Charters Towers 134 kms west of Townsville.

The visit was a response to the kind invitation of the Gold City Seniors group who made the Townsville travellers very welcome at a delicious morning tea (see Maureen and Jill Gill chatting over a laden table) and who then included them in listening to a very enjoyable musical presentation by the Palmerston Singers from Townsville.

Maureen Fewin (Townsville Seniors) and Jill Gill (Gold City Seniors)

Palmerston Singers - Pat Lee, Glenys Davey, Desley Smith, Neil Smith and Rumie Dunlap

The group had a filling pub lunch before heading out on a quick tour of some of the town sights including the hill that saw the beginning of Charters Towers gold mining in 1871.  The cairn photographed below is established at the site of the first discovery of gold bearing quartz in the North Australian reef by indigenous man Jupiter Mosman. Jupiter's tribal name is not known.

Cairn in memory of the discovery of gold by Jupiter Mosman

This was a great day out.  Thanks to the Gold City Seniors who invited the Townsville group, to the RSL who made their bus available, to Maureen Fewin who organized the outing and to Barry Saunders (volunteer driver) who took the group to Charters Towers and back.

Some CT Seniors members:  Vedie Truscott, Gwenda Fox, Shirley Plant, Ray Hope and Win Naughton

Historic Gill Street, Charters Towers

Easter Bonnet Parade!

Thursday, 17th April, fell just before the Easter weekend so it was very appropriate that a good proportion of members wore special bonnets for the occasion.

The ever busy Maureen Fewin spent many weeks encouraging everyone to enter into the spirit of the occasion and she certainly did herself proud in her own creation.  Here she is looking very glamorous with a beautiful bunny Margaret Wilson.

And here is a very charming Lorraine Heath...

and a pretty Heather McLeod

A good many of the men showed a reluctance to wear hats but there were some notable exceptions.  Here is Bob Walker, looking very special in his flowery hat....

and Paul Pemberton...

and Max Burge with his somewhat lop-sided moustache!

Of course it was a very difficult task to choose winners.  The job fell to Councillor Ray Gartrell who seemed to handle the responsibility well.  Here we see him surrounded by just some of the beautiful women of Townsville Senior Citizens!

Off to the Port!

Until very recently, many members of Townsville Senior Citizens had seen the Port of Townsville from a distance but not up close!

On 10th April, 2014, over 40 members climbed aboard two buses - a big bus and a smaller disability-friendly vehicle - to take a look at this important facility.

Betty settled in the TOTTS bus

With the commentaries of Port staff members, Sharon and Maria, the happy travellers learned some interesting facts including the following:

• Port activity injects more than $266 million into the regional economy annually; 
• There are 10 berths with the most recent, Berth 10, providing room for incoming tourists through the Townsville Cruise Terminal;
• Port activity supports more than 8,000 jobs directly and indirectly.

Most of the group outside the big bus

Townsville's port is, we understand, a Queensland export leader in metals, sugar, fertiliser, and molasses and among the top three ports in the state for cement, chemical, general cargo and container trade throughput.

A big thankyou to the Port of Townsville for giving us the use of the bigger bus and TOTTS for giving us the use of the smaller one. Their generosity is much appreciated.  And of course special thanks to Sharon and Maria from the Townsville Port who escorted us on our journey and who gave us such a lot of interesting information!