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.

The Elves have been at work!

Townsville Senior Citizens Association has an army of elves! The old story about the hard working elves coming in at night has taken a new slant at Ryan Street with several working bee members making a big effort to continue the sprucing up of the hall over the Festive Season.

The beautiful brand new chairs have arrived and have been set up around the newly painted tables:

The floors have been stripped within an inch of their lives and are shining like mirrors.  The shoes below bridge the join between the cleaned and the as yet uncleaned area.  What a difference!

And here are some pictures in the upstairs flat which has been repaired, repainted and cleaned.  

Neil looking as if he's about to attack Andy while Miles is completely unaware....

Maureen tackling those darned windows...

and Chris getting to grips with the stove in the flat.

We are looking forward to the arrival of our new tables and some new chairs with arms shortly.

Neil Ace (who helped with everything and who, with Maureen, coordinated the whole operation)

Tony Green, Brian Cook, and Andy M (who all painted the tables and unpacked and assembled the chairs)

Tom Bartlett (who fixed and assembled the old screens)

Andy M., Cheryl and Chris Winchen, and Maureen Fewin (who all cleaned the flat)

Maureen (who helped with the unpacking and assembling of the new chairs and cleaned the kitchen as well) and

Miles Lyster (aged 4) who worked on his iPad while his granny cleaned windows.

Ryan Street is being spruced up!

With Christmas looming, our Centre is having some special presents over the Christmas break.

The first step - the introduction of a new air conditioner in our kitchen - has already been accomplished and has been making life a lot more comfortable for our intrepid kitchen workers.

Hardly was this task finished when the decision was made to replace our fairly basic chairs.  A small group from Ryan Street visited our sister Senior Citizens Association in Tully on Monday, 25th November, 2013, to view their chairs.  Everyone was so impressed that our members will soon have 100 similar chairs round our tables with 10 more (with arms) for people who prefer to chat around the walls.

Here are some snaps taken during the visit to the beautiful new home of Tully Senior Citizens.  The Centre has been constructed since the total destruction of the previous building by Cyclone Yasi. It is certainly a great credit to the Senior Citizens' Association and to the Tully community.  

Our hosts very kindly welcomed the Townsville group to a delightful luncheon.

Townsville President Neil Ace and Vice President Maureen

Fewin meet Tully Secretary Lesley Hardy and Treasurer Jill Brighton.

Some Tully members enjoying lunch.  Note comfy chairs!

Tony de Bella - a keen member of Tully Senior Citizens

2014 promises to be a comfortable year for the Townsville Senior Citizens!

Townsville Senior Citizens Hall is being re-dressed!

Townsville Senior Citizens have all been impressed by the great new coat of white paint their hall is now sporting.  With the skilled help of painter John De Bortoli, (see his photo below), this transformation has taken place remarkably quickly.  The hall now blends in beautifully with the Community Rehabilitation Centre housed in the next building with its grey trims against the fresh white walls.

A cheerful John De Bortoli at work

 
Note also that the buildings now have a much improved (and safer) bitumen access for Townsville Senior Citizens members.

Newly surfaced parking area

And that's not all!  The barbeque area bordering the bayside fence line is also being upgraded, opening up the possibility of happy barbeques for Townsville Senior Citizens and others in a lovely revamped area in the not too distant future.  Stand by for a snap of the first of these occasions!