Woden Seniors Inc

50 years of providing Community Service to the over-50s of Canberra

By

Fortnightly News 8/11/2024

Issue 22 of 2024     

8th November 2024

.

Dates to Remember

Tuesday 19 November – Club Committee Meeting 2.00pm

Thursday 21 November – Bendigo Bank talk on banking safely online

Sunday 24 November – 2-4pm “Thank You” concert by the Woden Singers

Monday 9 December – Christmas Lunch

Monday 23 December to Friday 10 January – Club will be closed for the Christmas break.

.

MELBOURNE CUP DAY

A small but enthusiastic group gathered at the Club – on the first Tuesday in November to watch the Melbourne Cup!  Delicious afternoon tea items were consumed, sweeps were conducted, chatting and relaxing were done and then it was time to tune in and watch a bunch of horses and their riders run around in circles.  Congratulations to Lutana who took home a lion’s share of the sweep prizes.

.

The draw for the raffle was held on the day and congratulations go to the lucky winners of the quilt, the gardenia and the pot cover kit.  For a little effort and with donated prizes, the raffle raised just over $400 for the Club – thanks Jennifer and the team for organising all of this and to everyone who bought (and sold) the tickets.  Look out for another raffle early in the new year.

.

A group of people sitting in chairs Description automatically generatedTwo women holding bags in a room Description automatically generated

                                              .

.

SUNDAY 24 NOVEMBER – thank you from the Choir

Gail and the choir members have planned a delightful program of songs to entertain you on Sunday afternoon 24th November, 2-4pm.  Lots of old favourites including some advance Christmas offerings.  They are planning to sing with their familiar piano accompaniment, and also a set accompanied by the new whizz-bang portable electronic pianist-substitute, Otto.

.

All welcome !! Please bring a small plate of goodies to share for afternoon tea and enjoy a very pleasant two hours of music and socialising.

.

CHRISTMAS LUNCH…

Polly is taking bookings for this year’s Christmas lunch which will be held at the Club on Monday 9  December starting at 12.00 pm.  For the small payment of $6 members will enjoy a delicious lunch and be in the running for the hamper prizes.  Tea, coffee, water and juices will be part of the offering and members who wish to do so are welcome to bring their own alcohol.

.

THE HAMPERS

            A group of baskets with food Description automatically generated

Members who attended last year’s lunch will remember the festive array of hampers which were offered as lucky door prizes.  Your donations of non-perishable Christmassy items are sought to help fill this year’s hampers – the more the merrier!!  A box to receive the items is in the foyer.

     .

A black background with white text Description automatically generated   erA round wooden coaster with text on it Description automatically generated

.

Jenny Gregory

President

Woden Seniors Inc.

PO Box 345, Woden ACT 2606 Tel: (02) 6282 2573

Email: president@wodenseniors.org.au        

www.wodenseniors.org.au 

*****************************************************************

For all you spelling fans….

.

A person holding a football ball Description automatically generated

.

.

.

.

By

Fortnightly News 25/10/2024

Issue 21 of 2024     

25 October 2024

.

Dates to Remember

.

Tuesday 5 November – Melbourne Cup Day at the Club

Thursday 21 November – Bendigo Bank talk on banking safely online – see below

Sunday 24 November – 2-4pm “Thank You” concert by the Woden Singers – see below

Monday 9 December – Christmas Lunch – see below

Monday 23 December to Friday 10 January – Club will be closed for the Christmas break.

.

MELBOURNE CUP DAY

                                              .

As in previous years, members are invited to join in a Melbourne Cup Day gathering at the Club. 

Start time is 2pm.  There will be sweeps (of course), afternoon tea (please bring a plate of goodies to share) and of course we will watch the Cup on TV.

Please RSVP to Polly by Friday 1 November if you are planning to attend. 

.

BANKING SAFELY ONLINE

.

Bendigo Bank have offered Club members the opportunity to hear from in-person presenters on the topic of Banking Safely Online.  Please see details in the flyer below – and note that RSVPs should go to the bank on 1300 361 761 or email canberradeakinmailbox@bendigoadelaide.com.au.  The session will begin at 1.30 on Thursday afternoon 21st November, and runs for about one hour after which the presenters are happy to stay on longer to answer questions. 

.

.

SUNDAY 24 NOVEMBER – thank you from the Choir

.

The new accompanist for the Choir has been named “Otto”, and members are invited to a choir concert starring the Woden Singers and Otto on Sunday afternoon 24th November from 2 to 4 pm.  All welcome !! Please bring a small plate of goodies to share for afternoon tea and enjoy a very pleasant two hours of music and socialising.

.

THANK YOU

.

Gail and family wanted you to see the lovely flowers and thank the Club Choir, the Woden Singers, who sent them in memory of the late Santo Peter Giuliano.  They really are special.

.

 .

MINDFULNESS AND MEDITATION SESSIONS

.

Cathy Mauk is again offering to lead sessions in a range of topics to further our knowledge of mindfulness and meditation.  The sessions run for about one hour and the first of these will be on Tuesday 29th October at 10.30 am in the Anne Murray Room.   Thereafter, weekly sessions each Tuesday through to the end of the Club year.  While attendance at all the sessions is ideal, please don’t hold back on coming along to some or any as each week is a separate topic for discussion. 

Please RSVP to Polly by Monday 28th October if you are planning to attend.

.

THE WORLD FAMOUS WODEN SENIORS CHRISTMAS LUNCH…

.

…. is on again this year. Those who attended last year’s lunch will know, and anyone coming for the first time this year will discover that its well worth the bargain price of $6.00 (or a voucher) per head. 

As last year, the big Christmas hamper and all the small Christmas hampers will be won by lucky holders of tickets issued at the door as you arrive.  The catering is planned to be eerily similar to last year!! 

.

And speaking of the hampers, donations of non-perishable Christmassy items – food, drink, trinkets, etc. etc. – are sought to help make the hampers as delightful as they were last year.

  .

OUR RAFFLE FUND-RAISER

.

Don’t forget to see Polly and pick up a book or two of raffle tickets for yourself or to sell to friends, family, neighbours… our fundraiser is aimed at being able to purchase some more new chairs to complete the welcome upgrade of our foyer area.  The prizes as below are well worth winning.  Tickets are $1 each…

.

.

A little from a lot of people will add up!!  The raffle will be drawn on Tuesday 5th November at the Melbourne Cup do – don’t miss your chance to win.

.

     

.

.

Jenny Gregory

President

Woden Seniors Inc.

PO Box 345, Woden ACT 2606 Tel: (02) 6282 2573

Email: president@wodenseniors.org.au        

www.wodenseniors.org.au 

*****************************************************************

Thanks to Peter Golack for this one.  Maybe it’s personal??

.

.

.

By

Fortnightly News 11/10/2024

Issue 20 of 2024     

11 October  2024

Dates to Remember

Tuesday 15 October – Club Executive Committee Meeting
.

DENNIS BLEWETT

Thanks Sue Barrett for information regarding the passing of another Club stalwart in Dennis Blewett.  Members will remember Dennis’ many years of work as a very erudite Editor of and contributor to the Club’s quarterly Meridian newsletter which was professionally printed and sent to members by ‘snail mail’.  Dennis died on 17th August aged 89 and is survived by wife Iris who was also involved with the Club over an extensive period.

COTA SENIORS AND HEALTHY AGEING EXPO

.

       

.

A full day of talking to many many interested people and handing out information about the Woden, Tuggeranong, Canberra and Belconnen Seniors Clubs at this very well organised and well attended Expo.  Many thanks to Sue Allen and Roger Tomlins for their knowledgeable and enthusiastic assistance in promoting our Club and its activities and of course our 2025 Big Book Fair.

                   .

OUR RAFFLE FUND-RAISER

Don’t forget to see Polly and pick up a book or two of raffle tickets for yourself or to sell to friends, family, neighbours… our fundraiser is aimed at being able to purchase some more new chairs to complete the welcome upgrade of our foyer area.  The prizes as below are well worth winning.  Tickets are $1 each…

.

.

.

A little from a lot of people will add up!!  The raffle will be drawn on Monday 4th November – don’t miss your chance to win.

.

SPRING AT LAST –

.

     

.

Let’s hope that the profusion of plant life in our vegepod is a signal that we might have some warmer weather soon……. Many thanks to our gardening supersquad.

.

****************************************************************************

  

   .

.

Jenny Gregory

President

Woden Seniors Inc.

PO Box 345, Woden ACT 2606 Tel: (02) 6282 2573

Email: president@wodenseniors.org.au        

www.wodenseniors.org.au 

*****************************************************************

COMMUNITY NOTICE

.

  

.

Thanks Al for today’s words of wisdom.

.

Poster found on the wall of a church in France (translated….)

.

When you enter this Church

It may be that you hear the “call of God”.

However it is unlikely that he will call you on your mobile,

So thank you for turning off your phones.

If you want to talk to God, please enter, choose a quiet spot and talk to Him.

If you want to see Him, send a text while driving.

.

.

.

.

By

Fortnightly News 27/9/2024

Issue 19 of 2024     

27h September 2024

.

Dates to Remember

.

Sunday 6 October – Daylight Saving starts

Monday 7 October – Labour Day Public Holiday – Club will be closed

Tuesday 15 October – Club Executive Committee Meeting

.

AGM RESULTS

.

A great turn-up of almost 50 people attended this year’s AGM on Monday 16th.  The following were elected to the Executive Committee for the 2024-25 year;  our thanks to them all for taking up a role in the administration of the Club.

.

President:               Jenny Gregory

Vice-President:        Maureen Bourne

Secretary:               Chris Mackay

Treasurer:               Jennifer Pratten

Committee:             Jennifer Battisson

                                Grahame Cheers

                                Gail Guiliano

                                Cindy McMillan

                                Roger Tomlins

.

At the meeting Choir leader Gail Guiliano nominated Enid Ottaway to be admitted to Life Membership of Woden Seniors in recognition of her  tireless work for the past seventeen years accompanying the Club’s choir on the piano for their weekly rehearsal and outreach visits to entertain at nursing homes.  Congratulations Enid!!

.

 

                    .

A RAFFLE FUND-RAISER

.

Members will have noticed the really nice new look in the foyer featuring the new (donated) chairs.  Thanks to Gemma Willson (flowers) and Susie James (wrought iron and glass coffee table) for their donations adding to the new look!

.

We would love to dispose of the three remaining heavy, grubby, old bucket chairs and in order to raise some funds to purchase replacements we are asking you to help by selling some raffle tickets.

.

    

.

The fabulous hand-made quilt above was made by Lisa Hart and has been donated by Wendy Saclier from Canberra Quilters and is first prize.  The well-grown and healthy gardenia donated by Mary Donahue is second prize and the crochet pot cover kit donated by Brenda Cummings is third.  Tickets are $1.00 each and we invite members to pick up one or more books of six tickets from Polly to sell to friends, neighbours, relatives… even to yourself! 

.

And just saying…. a Club voucher will buy you a book of tickets….

A yellow hands clapping with blue light Description automatically generated

.

A little from a lot of people will add up!!  The raffle will be drawn on Monday 4th November.

.

WATERCOLOUR ON WEDNESDAY ART GROUP

.

A new exhibition of paintings by members of the WOW Art Group is on display in the foyer and the Anne Murray Room.

Paintings are for sale and 15% commission on each sale is donated to the Club.

The group welcomes new members to join and meets every Wednesday 9.00 – 11.30 am. So come, browse and enjoy.

.

A few examples of the brilliant work of the group below:

.

A painting of flowers in a white frame Description automatically generated  A framed picture of a bird on a red flower Description automatically generated  A framed picture of a flower Description automatically generated  A painting of a person in a frame Description automatically generated

.

****************************************************************************

.

A cartoon of an old person Description automatically generated   A pan with green leaves and a wooden spoon Description automatically generated

.

Jenny Gregory

President

Woden Seniors Inc.

PO Box 345, Woden ACT 2606 Tel: (02) 6282 2573

Email: president@wodenseniors.org.au        

www.wodenseniors.org.au 

*****************************************************************

You just have to sing along to this excellent contribution – thanks Lutana!

.

A few new favourites…

.

Mylanta and nose drops and needles for knitting

Walkers and handrails and new dental fittings

Bundles of magazines tied up with string

These are a few of my favourite things.

.

Contacts and cataracts, hearing aids, glasses

Polident, Fixadent and false teeth in glasses

Pacemakers, golf carts and porches with swings

These are a few of my favourite things.

.

When the pipes leak

When the bones creak

When the knees go bad

I simply remember my favourite things

And then I don’t feel so bad.

.

Hot tea and crumpets and corn pads for bunions

No spicy hot food or food cooked with onions

Bathrobes and head pads and hot meals they bring

These are a few of my favourite things.

.

Back pains, confused brains and no fear of sinning

Thin bones and fractures and hair that is thinning

And we won’t mention our short shrunken frames

When we remember our favourite things.

.

When the joints ache

When the hips break

When the eyes grow dim

Then I remember the great life I’ve had

And then I don’t feel so bad…….

.

.

By

Fortnightly News 13/9/2024

Issue 18 of 2024     

13th September 2024

.

Dates to Remember

Monday 16 September – Woden Seniors Annual General Meeting

Wednesday 25 September – the Club will share an information stall with Canberra Seniors and Tuggeranong 55 Plus Clubs at  COTA’s ACT Seniors and Better Ageing Expo at the Old Bus Depot building, Kingston

Sunday 6 October – Daylight Saving starts

Monday 7 October – Labour Day Public Holiday – Club will be closed

.

SCAMS AWARENESS WEBINAR REPLAY

Tessa Bowles, Senior Consultant, Group Security Culture and Advisory from the National Australia Bank . presented a number of extremely helpful tips to help avoid becoming a victim of online scams and scammers.    

 Some of the scams discussed included, investment scams, invoice and financial scams, romance scams, phishing scams and remote access scams.   

Being aware of how scams may operate, helps us all  to proceed with caution before responding to online requests.  

If you attended the webinar we hope you found it useful and enjoyed it.  If you weren’t able to attend, we are pleased to be able to share this webinar with you so you can also benefit from Tessa’s expertise and practical tips. Hopefully, this will give you some knowledge and confidence to help you protect yourself from scammers and their tactics.  

 Please CLICK HERE to watch the SCAM Awareness webinar or read a summary of the tips to keep us safe online. 

                A group of people sitting in chairs

Description automatically generated

.

Twenty members came into the Club on the day of the SCAMS Awareness Webinar to watch it on the new TV.  If you missed the Webinar, or would like to review the presentation and see more tips on staying safe online, the paragraph above tells you how to do so.

Many thanks to Richard Henderson for helping us set up and screen the Webinar.

.

A NEW LOOK IN THE FOYER

          

.

Many thanks to Jane and Grahame who sourced the donation of and delivered these really excellent chairs.  They replace a couple of old and worn (and not user-friendly) armchairs.  Their arrival sparked a re-arrangement of the foyer and its contents and it is now newly attractive and welcoming- thanks Jennifer!

.

                 

.

Jenny Gregory

President

Woden Seniors Inc.

PO Box 345, Woden ACT 2606 Tel: (02) 6282 2573

Email: president@wodenseniors.org.au        

www.wodenseniors.org.au 

*****************************************************************

COMMUNITY NOTICES

   

.

Also from COTA ACT, their ATO’S TAX HELP PROGRAM

.

At COTA ACT, we strive to make tax season stress-free with the help of the ATO’s Tax Help program.

This program allows anyone with simple financial affairs who earn $60,000 or less to get their tax return lodged free of charge between August and October every year. tthere are many factors to consider if you are endeavouring to lodge your taxes yourself, without the help of a professional tax advisor or accountant. While you might experience challenges related to changes in tax law, technology barriers or tax software or a health issue that might make it more difficult for you to lodge your tax
return yourself, there are services available that can make this process easier for you.

.

COTA ACT’s accredited tax volunteer can help you lodge your tax returns online. They can also help you with:

 creating a myGov account
 lodging an amendment to your tax return
 claiming a refund of franking credits
 tell us if you don’t need to lodge a tax return.

Eligibility

To access this service, you must:

 Earn $60,000 or less per annum

And you must not:

 Run a business, including as a sole trader
 Work as a contractor – for example contract cleaner, taxi or uber driver
 Have partnership or trust matters
 Sell shares or an investment property
 Own a rental property
 Have capital gains tax (CGT)
 Receive royalties
 Receive distributions from a trust, other than a managed fund
 Receive foreign income, that is not a foreign pension or annuity

If you are not eligible for Tax Help with COTA ACT, you can contact the ANU Tax Clinic, which is available to individuals, small businesses, not-for-profit organisations and charities.

ANU Tax Clinic:
taxclinic@anu.edu.au
6125 4853

Book your appointment today

COTA ACT offers Tax Help on Thursdays from the 8th August to the 31st October at our COTA ACT office in the Hughes Community Centre. You can book a 1 hour appointment with our excellent Tax Help advisors today by calling (02) 6282 3777.

.

******************************************************

Thanks to Grahame for these…….

.

When one door closes and another door opens, you are probably in prison.

To me, “drink responsibly” means don’t spill it.

Age 60 might be the new 40, but 9.00pm is the new midnight.

The older I get, the earlier it gets late.

I remember being able to get up without making sound effects.

I had my patience tested.  I’m negative.

When you ask me what I am doing today and I say “nothing”, it does not mean that I am free.  It means that I am doing nothing.

I don’t mean to interrupt people.  I just randomly remember things and get really excited.

.

And a double dose this week – this one from Al – thanks!

.

Two patients limp into two different medical clinics with the same complaint.  Both have trouble walking and appear to require a hip replacement. 

The FIRST patient is examined within the hour, is x-rayed the same day and has a time booked for surgery the following week.

The SECOND sees his family doctor after waiting for 3 weeks for an appointment, waits 8 weeks to see a specialist, gets an x-ray which isn’t reviewed for another week and finally has his surgery scheduled for 6 months from then.

Why the different treatment for the two patients?

.

The FIRST is a Golden Retriever.

The SECOND is a Senior Citizen.

.

By

Fortnightly News 30/8/2024

Issue 17 of 2024     

30th August 2024

Dates to Remember

Monday 16 September – Woden Seniors Annual General Meeting

Friday 30 August – COTA Webinar

Wednesday 25 September – the Club will share an information stall (along with Canberra and Tuggeranong Seniors) at  COTA’s ACT Seniors and Better Ageing Expo at the Old Bus Depot building, Kingston

WODEN SENIORS AGM reminder

  Date:       Monday 16 September 2024

   Time:      12.00 pm

   Place:      Hall 1

A quorum of members is required for the AGM to proceed;  we encourage everyone who can come along to please do so.  The meeting is short… and there will be sandwiches and cake to follow.

MEMBERSHIP

A reminder that only financial members are eligible to vote at the AGM.  And whether or not you plan to attend the AGM, please do check with Polly if you are unsure if your membership (and car parking if applicable) is current. 

MONDAY SOUP LUNCHES

Thanks to everyone who has helped with making soup and especially to everyone who has bought a soup lunch during the past few months.

Money raised from this activity will go to subsidising the cost of the Club’s annual Christmas Lunch – and yes, we are planning to repeat last year’s very successful format!!

The soup-makers are ready for a rest, and so the final soup lunch day for this year will be two weeks from now, Monday 9th September.

.

.

    A group of women sitting on a bench

Description automatically generated     A group of birds on a wire

Description automatically generated

.

Jenny Gregory

President

Woden Seniors Inc.

PO Box 345, Woden ACT 2606 Tel: (02) 6282 2573

Email: president@wodenseniors.org.au        

www.wodenseniors.org.au 

*****************************************************************

COMMUNITY NOTICES

I am working with Wounds Australia, a peak health care organisation, to assist with their big annual event – Wound Awareness Week (www.woundaware.org).  

I am reaching out to contact the local organisations to invite members, family, volunteers and supporters to a National Press Club lunch with Professor Fiona Wood AM (former Australian of the Year, medical researcher and National Living Treasure).

 As part of the week, Professor Wood (our national ambassador) is appearing at the National Press Club (16 National Circuit, Barton) next Tuesday. She will be speaking about healthcare and wound policy for key cohorts of people, with a special focus on the 60+ age group.

(www.npc.org.au/speaker/2024/1367-prof-fiona-wood-ao#purchase-ticket)

 We have set aside complimentary seats for local organisations, and would love Woden Seniors members to join us.The complimentary tickets include a three course meal and drinks, as well as the speech and Q&A session you would be familiar with from televised addresses.

.

If you are interested in attending, please contact me, Kel Watt by email – kel@wattadvocacy.com

.

*****************************************************************

.

.

Nicknames for people you may have met at work….

Wicket Keeper – puts on the gloves and stands back

Harvey Norman – 3 years no interest

Sensor Light – only works if someone walks past

Blister – appears after the work is done

Lantern – not very bright and has to be carried

Deck Chair – folds under pressure

Perth – three hours behind everyone else

Bushranger – holds everyone up

Wheelbarrow – only works when pushed

Cordless – charges all night but only works for 2 hours

.

By

Fortnightly News 16/8/2024

Issue 16 of 2024     

16th August 2024

.

Dates to Remember

.

Monday 16 September – Woden Seniors AGM

.

Wednesday 25 September – the Club will share an information stall (along with Canberra and Tuggeranong Seniors) at  COTA’s ACT Seniors and Better Ageing Expo at the Old Bus Depot building, Kingston

.

.

WODEN SENIORS AGM

WodenSeniorslogo

.

.

2024 Annual General Meeting

.

   Date:       Monday 16 September 2024

.

   Time:      12.00 pm

.

   Place:      Hall 1

.

Members wishing to bring business before the meeting must submit it in writing, in the form of a motion, to the Office by close of business on Monday 2nd September.

.

Nominations for the Executive Committee must be on the prescribed form, giving the consent of the candidate and signed by two members of the Club. Completed  nomination forms must be handed in to the Office by close of business on Monday 9th September.  Forms are available at the Office.

.

Light refreshments will be served following the meeting. 

                             ***********************

A quorum of members is required for the AGM to proceed;  we encourage everyone who can come along to please do so.  The meeting is short… and there will be cake.

.

.

         

.

Jenny Gregory

President

Woden Seniors Inc.

PO Box 345, Woden ACT 2606 Tel: (02) 6282 2573

Email: president@wodenseniors.org.au        

www.wodenseniors.org.au 

*****************************************************************

    COMMUNITY NOTICES

.

.

Woden Library Temporary Closure Update

.

.

The temporary closure of Woden Library has been extended due to unforeseen circumstances in relation to the upgrade works. Woden Library will remain closed until early November 2024.

During the upgrade works asbestos was found in the building structure. The use of bonded asbestos in a building of its age is not uncommon and, as it was sealed and undisturbed while the library was in operation, it did not pose a safety hazard to the community. This has significantly delayed progress on site and means the upgrade works are behind schedule.The temporary Woden Pop-Up Library at 26 Corinna Street in Phillip will remain open for the duration of the extended closure. Its opening hours are Monday to Friday, 10 am to 5.30 pm and Saturdays 10 am to 2 pm.

You can keep up to date on information relating to this closure by visiting www.library.act.gov.au or via our social media channels.

We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and we look forward to welcoming you back when we reopen.

Thank you.

Libraries ACT | library.customerinfo@act.gov.au | 02 6205 9000

.

.

.

.

FROM COTA ACT….

Has someone tried to scam you? Or have you actually been the victim of a scam?

Scams and cyber crime are a scourge that has grown in recent years and is disproportionately impacting older Australians.With that in mind, COTA Australia will host a webinar presented by NAB’s Group Security team to help you identify the signs of potential scams, provide advice on what to do if you think you’ve been scammed and offer tips on staying more secure online.

The session, to be held on Friday, August 30, 2024, at 12pm (AEST), will cover: how to spot the common scams that impact older people, such as investment scams, remote-access scams and romance scams; how to avoid them; scenarios and the actions you should take; and ways to be more secure online.

The webinar will run for one hour, with around 45 minutes of content and 15 minutes for questions and answers. NAB’s Group Security team has invested a huge amount of time and resources into this problem area, so it promises to be a very useful and highly informative session.

To register, click the either the button below or the one in the image at the top of this email and enter your details. You will receive a reminder email closer to the time.

The webinar will be set up so that you aren’t visible on screen and you will be muted until such time as you choose to ask a question. You can also ask a question in writing via the Q&A function by typing in the relevant box on the screen.

We would encourage you to join and take advantage of the experience and expertise of people working at the coal face of this burgeoning problem.

.

.

Scams Awareness Webinar: Click here to register

.

.

***************************************

.

Today’s PS:

Ron has blamed a friend for sending him these!

.

They say 40 is the new 30 and 50 is the new 40, but all I know is, the older I get, 9PM is the new midnight

.

Be grateful that no matter how much chocolate you eat, your earrings will still fit

.

You know when you buy a bag of salad and it turns all brown and soggy?

Cookies don’t do that

.

Don’t tell secrets in the garden.

The potatoes have eyes, the corn has ears and the beanstalk

.

.

.

.

.

By

Fortnightly News 2/8/2024

Issue 15 of 2024     

2nd August 2024

Dates to Remember

Monday 16 September – early advice of the date of the Club’s 2024 AGM

Wednesday 25 September – the Club will share an information stall (along with Canberra and Tuggeranong Seniors) at             COTA’s ACT Seniors and Better Ageing Expo at the Old Bus Depot building, Kingston

SPEAKING OF THE BOOK FAIR……

     

One of the three main teams working every week to sort, categorise, clean, pack and store donated books in preparation for the 2025 Big Book Fair.  Definitely a social activity as well as making an enormous contribution to the Club’s financial well-being.

The teams are looking for some extra help with moving and storing boxes of books.  Once packed, the books are stored in either the storeroom or in the shipping container and some help with trolleying them to and fro would be really appreciated.  If you have some time – and a few muscles – available, on a regular or semi-regular basis, Judy Henderson would love to hear from you and show you what is involved.  Judy is in the book sorting area on Monday afternoons between 2 and 4 pm.

NAME BADGES

We are planning another order for Club name badges – as below

              

The cost is $11.50 for a badge with a magnetic back, or $10.50 for one with a pin fastening.  Please let Polly know asap if you would like to order one.

.

           A card with balloons on it

Description automatically generated

.

Jenny Gregory

President

Woden Seniors Inc.

PO Box 345, Woden ACT 2606 Tel: (02) 6282 2573

Email: president@wodenseniors.org.au        

www.wodenseniors.org.au 

*****************************************************************

    

Scratch for Seniors at CIT Tuggeranong for National Science Week!

As part of National Science Week, which runs from August 10 – 18, the Australian Government is again supporting creative computing workshops for seniors using Scratch.

Aimed at people over 55 years of age, the workshops will let you unleash your imagination to produce amazing, colourful, musical, moving creations, that can be shared with anyone. It’s fabulous for keeping the brain active and all you have to know to get started is how to use a mouse.

Two free workshops, with lunch provided, will be held at CIT Tuggeranong from 10am to 1pm on August 10 and 17, but registration is essential.

To register for one of these workshops, please visit:

https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/957232116027 (for Aug 10) or https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/957237401837 (for Aug 17)
or email: u1518303@anu.edu.au.

********************************************************************

Thanks to Cindy for finding this one.

If you have ever been in a choir, this will strike a note….

The Alto’s Lament

It’s tough to be an Alto when you’re singing in the Choir

The Sopranos get the twiddly bits that people all admire

The basses boom like trombones while the Tenors shout with glee

But the Alto part is on two notes, or if they’re lucky, three.

.

And when we sing an anthem and we lift our hearts with praises

The men get all the juicy bits and the telling little phrases

Of course the Trebles sing in tune and always come off best

The Altos only get three notes and twenty-two bars rest.

.

We practice very hard each week from Hymn Book and the Psalter

But when the leader looks at us our voices start to falter

“Too high” he says, “Too low, too fast!  You held that note too long!”

It doesn’t matter what we do, it’s certain to be wrong.

.

Oh, shed a tear for Altos, they’re the martyrs, and they know

In the ranks of choral singers, they’re considered very low

They are so very humble that a lot of folk forget ‘em

How they’d love to be Sopranos, but the vocal chords won’t let ‘em.

.

And when the final trumpet sounds and we are wafted higher

The Sopranos, Basses, Tenors – they’ll be in the Heavenly Choir

While they sing “Alleluia” to celestial flats and sharps

The Altos will be occupied with polishing the harps.

.

(This poem was found stuffed behind the vestry door at All Saints

Church, Four Oaks, Sutton Coldfield, UK.)

By

Fortnightly News 19/7/2024

Issue 14 of 2024     

19th July 2024

.

Dates to Remember

Tuesday 30 July – Re-scheduled Club Committee Meeting

and a scary thought – we are closer to next Christmas than to last Christmas.

.

BOOK FAIR

Preparations are well underway for our next Book Fair which will be on 4, 5 and 6 April 2025.  Donations are coming in steadily.

.

We are always keen to involve more members in this activity. If you are interested in getting involved on a regular basis pop into the veranda on a Monday afternoon (between 2 pm and 4 pm) to talk to Judy and see what we do.

.

CRAFT GROUP – Thursdays 10.00-12.00

      

.

I think the smiling faces tell it all.  Knitting, crochet, stitching, paper crafts and more…. creative fun and of course the odd cake turns up for morning tea.

       (Fahrenheit of course)

.

Jenny Gregory

President

Woden Seniors Inc.

PO Box 345, Woden ACT 2606 Tel: (02) 6282 2573

Email: president@wodenseniors.org.au   

www.wodenseniors.org.au

And today’s wisdom:      A logo of a smiley face Description automatically generated

.

1. Borrow money from pessimists – they won’t expect it back.

2. Half the people you know are below average.

3.A clear conscience is usually the sign of a bad memory.

4.  99% of lawyers give the rest a bad name.

5.  Hard work pays off in the future;  laziness pays off now.

6.  Experience is something you don’t get until just after you need it.

7.  What happens if you get scared to death twice?

8.  When everything is coming your way, you’re in the wrong lane.

9. How do you tell when you’re out of invisible ink?

10. If everything seems to be going well, you have obviously overlooked something.

11.  82.7% of all statistics are made up on the spot.

12.  The early bird gets the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese.

By

Fortnightly News 5/7/2024

Issue 13 of 2024     

5th July 2024

.

Dates to Remember

.

Monday  8 to Friday  20 July – ACT School Holidays;  unless your activity leader/s have advised otherwise, normal Club activities will be on as usual.

Tuesdy 16 July – Club Committee Meeting

.

In case you missed it….

.

              A website page with a couple of people

Description automatically generated

I asked Gail to write a few lines about their long involvement at Woden Seniors…..

.

 ‘Santo & Gail Giuliano joined the Woden Seniors Club in 1989 and over the following 35 years have been very involved in the Club’s activities. Gail’s mother was a keen mahjong player and was a member for a number of years and the ACT Square Dance Society was, at the time looking for a venue to hold dances, and the club was available. Towards the end of 1990 Santo had some health problems and so decided to “take a package” and get out of full time work.  His involvement in the club led to him taking up old time dancing – an activity which he eventually took over as leader until the last few years when health issues again intervened! Also he and Gail conducted the Moon Spinners Round Dance Club on Friday and Sunday nights for many years. 

Gail had continued working but in 1997 she also left work and joined the choir at the club – and she is still singing to this day! Over the years Santo did a stint as President – and Gail was Secretary for many years.  In the early days – before we we were able to emply an Administration Officer – the committee members shared the job of manning the office. Santo also was the “odd’ job man’ and generally looked after the sound system. They were also involved in fund-raising-raffles, mini fetes and the like until our major source of extra income,  the Book Fair got under way.

Sadly Santo now has limited mobility and is unable to even visit these days but on any Monday morning you will find Gail waving her arms around wildly in an attempt to keep the choir on the right note!

P.S. Gail is very proud of the choir. They are a wonderful, happy bunch of people who support each other so well. They also go out every week for residents in Nursing Homes or Senior Groups – such good P.R. for our Club.

 .

Thanks for that Gail, and thanks to you both for such sustained and valuable service to the Club. 

.

Winter is here

.

During these cold months, don’t forget that the Club is a warm and welcoming place to spend some quality time.  Come for the activity of your choice, or maybe try something new?  Or members are welcome to drop in at any time for a cuppa and sit down.  There are books to borrow in the Anne Murray Room, and a community jigsaw always seems to be on the go!

.

That said, we are being warned that new variants of Covid are popping up regularly so please don’t come to the Club if you are experiencing any cold or ‘flu-like symptoms.

.

A special visitor

.

         A person giving a thumbs up

Description automatically generated

.

If you have been at the Club this week you may have met up with Reilly Yuen, a Y12 student at Lake Ginninderra College who has been doing a week-long work experience placement with us.  Reilly has enthusiastically joined in Club activities and spent much time talking to members and learning about what we do at the Club.  She also helped a few of us with the endless challenge of using our mobile phones!!

.

Thanks Reilly, you have been a ray of sunshine and thank you to Polly for mentoring Reilly and showing by example what a great Club administration officer does.  (And thanks to Sue Barratt for the loan of your gorgeous granddaughter.)

.

Keeping warm !!

.

An innovation this year has been the beginners line dancing group led by Ann Roberts.  I think the picture speaks for itself.  They look to be having so much fun and have made so much progress in such a short time.

.

           A group of people in a room

Description automatically generated

.

******************************************************************************

.

A sun and a cartoon of words

Description automatically generated with medium confidence     A giraffe with glasses

Description automatically generated

.

Jenny Gregory

President

Woden Seniors Inc.

PO Box 345, Woden ACT 2606Tel: (02) 6282 2573

Email: president@wodenseniors.org.au        

www.wodenseniors.org.au 

.

.

And to conclude:

.

Perks of being over 60:

.

 Kidnappers are not very interested in you
 In a hostage situation, you are likely to be released first
 No one expects you to run – anywhere
 People no longer view you as a hypochondriac
 There is nothing left to learn the hard way
 Things you buy now won’t wear out
 You can eat dinner at 4 pm
 Your supply of brain cells is finally down to a manageable size

.

.

.