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!

An Army Marches on its Stomach!

Who said that?  Was it Napoleon?  Whoever it was, it certainly applies to Townsville Senior Citizens Welfare Association.  We have lots of interesting activities at Senior Citizens but chatting over a cuppa and some special eats at morning tea time is one of the nicest.

Here is our kitchen.  As you can see it is beautifully set up with all modern conveniences.

Many people contribute to making and preparing our morning teas. Here are just some of them....

Tuesday kitchen helpers, (L to R) Geoff Merchant next to OIC Chris Wincen, Alan Chadwick, Barbara Smith, Marie Ward and Andy Mahlouzarides:

And here is Dulcie Stevens, a long standing member of the club and a great cook, who often brings in delicious morning tea offerings....

and Leisha Schell who coordinates the kitchen activities on Thursdays.

Our club doesn't confine itself to morning teas either!  We have special gala events such as Christmas-in-July luncheons, Melbourne Cup festivities, and even barbeques in our special BBQ area on the north side of our complex.

Why not come along and join us!