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.

Christmas Jollity!

The Christmas party for the Townsville Senior Citizens was a block buster event this year with over 90 members present.

In a departure from the usual practice, the occasion was held at the Hotel Allen rather than at the Hall so that all members could relax and be waited on.  There was no responsibility to prepare and serve food and drink. It just kept coming!  And after a wonderful meal and dessert, there was no washing up afterwards!

Here are Candy Beavington and Betty Scott enjoying the occasion. 



The musical entertainment was delightful, allowing for dancing and singing in equal measure.  Here are our cheerful musicians, "Pit Stop", taking a little break between numbers.

And here are some of our happy dancers!

Marian Hain and Mona Sodergren

Doreen and Max Burge

May Clark and Doss Fletcher

Many thanks to the Association which contributed significantly to the cost of the occasion and to President Neil who did the venue searching and negotiated the arrangements with the Hotel Allen - even the last minute adjustments caused by renovations to the building.   Here's a picture of him at the party carrying a small Christmas tree on his head!



Happy Christmas to all at Townsville Senior Citizens.  See you next year!



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!

Vale Peter Gage

It was with great sorrow that many members of Townsville community (including a large number of Townsville Senior Citizens) bade a fond farewell to Peter at his funeral service on Thursday, 24th October, 2013. 

We will remember Peter as a man who lived his life to the full, who was willing to give anything a go, and who brought a quirky sense of humour to everything he undertook.  He was very brave as he faced up to his final big challenge and he remained a loyal member of Senior Citizens right up to his last days.

Townsville Senior Citizens owes a particular debt of gratitude to Peter for his wonderful contribution to the photographic history of the Association.

Townsville Senior Citizens extend their sincere condolences to Peter's family, particularly his mother, Mrs Audrey Gage, a long time and very treasured member of the Townsville Senior Citizens Association.

Recent Happenings at Townsville Senior Citizens

 

Townsville Senior Citizens are very pleased to now have a portrait of their patron, Jenny Hill, looking resplendent in her mayoral robes, in pride of place on the wall behind the stage.  Many thanks to Jenny for generously making this picture available to us.

At the members' meeting on 26 September, several new members were welcomed into the Association.  Here are four of them - Cathy and Mike Davidson, Kevin Sheehy and Betty Miller.....

 



 

 



The Line Dancers were very pleased to see Pat Ross (see below) learning the ropes as a Leader.  She is very patient and understanding - especially with one particular newer member who still has a long way to go and needs a lot of encouragement...  

 

   





 The newly established Euchre group is continuing to enjoy playing together and with other organizations. Here's a photo kindly provided by Stuart McLean following a recent Euchre morning at the Garden Settlement, Pallarenda. 

 

 

 

Lady Luck is always smiling on someone at Townsville Senior Citizens.  Here is the lucky door winner at the meeting of 26th September, Fred Viney....

 

 

the winner of the raffle, Nancy Tompkins....

 

 

 





 

and the triumphant recipient of the big prize in the $100 club, Dulcie Stevens.

  

 

Congratulations to all our winners!

 



 

 



 

 







 



 



 

A Great Open Day

Townsville Senior Citizens were thrilled to welcome 150 people to the Open Day at their Ryan Street Centre on Thursday, 12^th September, 2013.  The happy occasion was opened by the Mayor, Mrs Jenny Hill, with Councillors Gartrell and Walker also present.

After a delicious morning tea, guests enjoyed viewing the Thursday activities and seeing both “Seniors Creating Change” and the Townsville Senior Citizens line dancers performing their favourite numbers.  Next came a terrific variety show by Patrick and A.J. who provided their audience with a great program of comedy, singing and music.  The Open Day wound up with a tasty sausage sizzle.

 



Mayor Jenny Hill opens proceedings

Seniors Creating Change who sing "suddenly and unexpectedly"
 



Line Dancers ready to go!

 

Patrick regales the audience with one of his funny stories

Many thanks to everyone who participated in the Open Day and to Vice President Maureen Fewin and her merrie band of helpers whose hard work made it all possible.  You turned on a great Open Day for the seniors of Townsville. 

Preparations under Way for Open Day!

Townsville Senior Citizens are looking forward to their Open Day to be held at Ryan Street between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Thursday, 12th September, 2013.  This is an opportunity for the Association to welcome the over 50's of Townsville and to extend a warm invitation to those who might like to join their ranks.

With Mayor and Patron Jenny Hill opening the festivities and with Vice-President Maureen Frewin at the helm as the M.C., the day promises to be a special occasion.  There will be lots of the usual interesting activities for members and visitors to enjoy together and there will also be some great entertainment plus a yummy morning tea and a sausage sizzle lunch.