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!

Betty celebrates the big 90!

Townsville Senior Citizens were all delighted to share in a grand occasion on Thursday, 6th February, 2014, as Betty Scott celebrated her 90th birthday.

Betty has been a much loved member of Townsville Senior Citizens for 30 years.  Her ability to play the piano by ear and sight has been a great boon for many people including the Townsville Senior's association which enjoys its weekly singalongs with her accompaniment immensely.

Betty has been widowed for 5 years but she remembers fondly the times when she and her husband Hilary (on the drums) played together.  For 25 years they played weekly at aged care facilities round Townsville.  What a contribution she has made to the community.

Many thanks, Betty! 

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!