Fortnightly News 28/8/2020

Club Activity Vouchers – Cashless Payments

Woden Seniors is trying to reduce the handling of cash during the COVID-19 pandemic. We have introduced a voucher system for you to pay your activity fee with effect from 1 August 2020. Vouchers are available in denominations of $3; $5 and $6.50 from the front counter. You can purchase these with an EFTPOS transaction.

Cashless is quicker, easier and safer but for some people cash may be their only option and that’s ok.

Free wellbeing calls

Wellbeing Calls are available to anyone who is feeling lonely or isolated. A friendly chat with an Australian Red Cross Volunteer is just a phone call away.

To register to receive ‘check in calls’ Call (02) 6234 7630 between 8am and 4pm Monday – Friday

Connect in Canberra

Connect in Canberra brings together information from across Government and the community in a range of areas including:

• Community Services and Support;
• Supporting our Neighbours and Communities;
• Online safety and help getting connected;
• Health and Wellbeing;
• Activities Hub;
• Kids’ Corner;
• What’s On; and
• Community Activity Packs.

For more information visit https://www.communityservices.act.gov.au/connect-in-canberra

Iris Willetts

The family of the late Iris Willetts has made a donation of $1,000 to the Woden Seniors on her behalf. She was a very special lady who found such a lot enjoyment here at the Woden Seniors. At 82 she had sold her home in England and moved to Australia to be near her 3 children. She took up residence with Paul, her youngest son who resides in Holder but then bought a town house in Weston. Not being one to sit idle, one of the first things she did was join the Woden Seniors where she tried out several activities including Folk Dancing, Exercise Classes and the Choir; and the Choir was very glad to have her as it turned out that she was a brilliant pianist who could sight read anything! (Although she didn’t let on straight away that she could play!) The Folk Dancing, etc – didn’t last long but she became an essential part of the Choir and together with Dorothy Rafferty was our repetiteur until 2007. As well as her Choir commitment she also used to play with a church group at both Morling Lodge and Mirringani Nursing home and was in demand at various concerts. Unfortunately she developed macula degeneration and was forced to give up her regular musical activities.

Iris always said how much she loved Australia and how it had given her so much enjoyment to have wonderful friends and activities that she had found through her connection with the Seniors Club. At 90 she became “a dinky-die Aussie” (i.e. she was naturalised) and she passed away in January at 101 and 37 days. Her funeral was on 7th Feb 2020. A beautiful soul and a true friend who is sadly missed by all who knew her (especially me!). Gail Giuliano

Free one-on-one digital learning sessions for senior

Woden Seniors is no longer offering iPad or computer classes, however the Council on the Ageing (COTA) ACT has recently received funding to fill this gap.

The ACT Government has funded COTA ACT to offer free one-on-one digital learning sessions to seniors. The Seniors Pop-up Technology Hub will be a place where senior Canberrans can come and ask questions in a relaxed way and learn about how to get online and become confident with using technology. The learning sessions are designed to assist seniors with staying in touch with their community, family and friends, such as through email, social media, and video calls eg Zoom or Facetime, and be a resource for finding information online.

If you would like to know more about the free computer literacy workshops run by COTA ACT, call the COTA ACT office on 6282 3777 or email Events

Tax help for seniors

Council on the Ageing (COTA) ACT has a Tax Help Volunteer again this year.

You can book an appointment for Tuesday, from 10.00am or any Wednesday afternoon at the COTA ACT office in Wisdom Street, Hughes on 6282 3777.

Tax Help is a free and confidential service to help people on a low income (around $60,000 or less) with simple tax affairs to complete their tax return online with myTax. It is available from July to October.

Volunteers can help you lodge your tax return or amendment online or claim a refund of franking credits.

Club Activities

These activities have already started,

Choir Practice (Monday 10.00 – 12.00 pm)

Line Dancing (Monday 10.00 – 12.00 pm)

Seated Exercise (Monday 12.00 – 1.30 pm)

Friendship Group (Monday 1.30 – 3.30 pm)

YMCA Gentle Exercise (Tuesday 9.30 – 10.30 am)

YMCA Ever Active (Wednesday 8.30 – 9.30 am)

Water Colour Painting (Wednesday 9.30 – 11.30 am)

Table Tennis (Wednesday & Friday 9.30 – 12.30 pm)

Stitchers (Thursday 10.00 – 12.00 pm)

Craft Group (Thursday 10.00 – 12.00 pm)

Tai Chi & Gentle Exercise (Thursday 2.00 -3.15 pm)

Painting and Drawing (Friday 1.30 – 3.30 pm)

These are activities where we can easily maintain a 1.5metre distance from each other. It is also essential that we maintain good hand hygiene and cough or sneeze into our elbows. There should be no communal refreshment breaks and members should bring their own drink bottles and snacks.

Each group leader will have to ensure that any commonly used areas such as tables and chairs are cleaned with the disinfectant wipes provided before and after the activity. Group leaders will be provided with a checklist of what must be done.

All groups must include each person’s full name and telephone number in the activity book to enable contact tracing in the event that there is a suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19. Please bring the correct money for each activity to minimise handling of cash.

The Management Committee will continuously review activities and wellbeing over the coming months to ensure that we reduce the risk of infection by COVID-19.

Please Do Not Enter the Club if:

• You are feeling unwell and developing cold or flu like symptoms (including fever, cough, sore throat, fatigue or shortness of breath); or
• You have been in close contact with someone with these symptoms or is a confirmed COVID-19 case; or
• You or someone you have been in close contact with has recently returned from interstate or overseas.

Car Parking

We have entered into a contract with Wilson Parking to manage our car park. The annual parking fee for members will remain the same. Wilson Parking uses number plate recognition to identify cars that should not be in our car park. They will issue a fine to vehicles that should not be in the car park. They will tow vehicles away that are repeat offenders. It is essential that we have the current registration number of the car you will be bringing to the Club car park on our system. You can check by looking at your blue parking ticket.

If a Club member does receive a parking fine whilst participating in a Club activity please bring it to the office and we will have it waived.

As you may be aware local workers have used the car park while the Club has been closed.

Fortnightly News 14/8/2020

Club Activity Vouchers – Cashless Payments

Woden Seniors is trying to reduce the handling of cash during the COVID-19 pandemic. We have introduced a voucher system for you to pay your activity fee with effect from 1 August 2020. Vouchers are available in denominations of $3; $5 and $6.50 from the front counter. You can purchase these with an EFTPOS transaction.

Cashless is quicker, easier and safer but for some people cash may be their only option and that’s ok.

Free wellbeing calls

Wellbeing Calls are available to anyone who is feeling lonely or isolated. A friendly chat with an Australian Red Cross Volunteer is just a phone call away.

To register to receive ‘check in calls’ Call (02) 6234 7630 between 8am and 4pm Monday – Friday

Connect in Canberra

Connect in Canberra brings together information from across Government and the community in a range of areas including:

• Community Services and Support;
• Supporting our Neighbours and Communities;
• Online safety and help getting connected;
• Health and Wellbeing;
• Activities Hub;
• Kids’ Corner;
• What’s On; and
• Community Activity Packs.

For more information visit https://www.communityservices.act.gov.au/connect-in-canberra

All Memberships Extended by Three Months

The Management Committee has agreed to extend everyone’s membership by three months.

2020 Book Fair

The Book Fair has been postponed to a date to be decided as a result of the restrictions relating to the COVID-19 pandemic. As it now appears the restrictions will not be relaxed sufficiently for some time, it is most unlikely that we will be able to hold a Book Fair this year. We are however still welcoming donations of books, DVDs, games, vinyl records etc in the hope that one day we will be able to have a Book Fair.

Club Activities

These activities have already started,

Choir Practice (Monday 10.00 – 12.00 pm)

Line Dancing (Monday 10.00 – 12.00 pm)

Seated Exercise (Monday 12.00 – 1.30 pm)

Friendship Group (Monday 1.30 – 2.30 pm)

YMCA Gentle Exercise (Tuesday 9.30 – 10.30 am)

YMCA Ever Active (Wednesday 8.30 – 9.30 am)

Water Colour Painting (Wednesday 9.30 – 11.30 am)

Table Tennis (Wednesday & Friday 9.30 – 12.30 pm)

Play Reading Group (Thursday 10.00 – 12.00 pm)

Stitchers (Thursday 10.00 – 12.00 pm)

Craft Group (Thursday 10.00 – 12.00 pm)

Tai Chi & Gentle Exercise (Thursday 2.00 -3.15 pm)

Painting and Drawing (Friday 1.30 – 3.30 pm)

These are activities where we can easily maintain a 1.5metre distance from each other. It is also essential that we maintain good hand hygiene and cough or sneeze into our elbows. There should be no communal refreshment breaks and members should bring their own drink bottles and snacks.

Each group leader will have to ensure that any commonly used areas such as tables and chairs are cleaned with the disinfectant wipes provided before and after the activity. Group leaders will be provided with a checklist of what must be done.

All groups must include each person’s full name and telephone number in the activity book to enable contact tracing in the event that there is a suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19. Please bring the correct money for each activity to minimise handling of cash.

The Management Committee will continuously review activities and wellbeing over the coming months to ensure that we reduce the risk of infection by COVID-19.

Please Do Not Enter the Club if:

• You are feeling unwell and developing cold or flu like symptoms (including fever, cough, sore throat, fatigue or shortness of breath); or
• You have been in close contact with someone with these symptoms or is a confirmed COVID-19 case; or
• You or someone you have been in close contact with has recently returned from interstate or overseas.

Car Parking

We have entered into a contract with Wilson Parking to manage our car park. The annual parking fee for members will remain the same. Wilson Parking uses number plate recognition to identify cars that should not be in our car park. They will issue a fine to vehicles that should not be in the car park. They will tow vehicles away that are repeat offenders. It is essential that we have the current registration number of the car you will be bringing to the Club car park on our system. You can check by looking at your blue parking ticket.

If a Club member does receive a parking fine whilst participating in a Club activity please bring it to the office and we will have it waived.

As you may be aware local workers have used the car park while the Club has been closed.

Membership and Parking Permit Renewals

As previously advised, to compensate for the closure of the Club due to the Covid-19 restrictions earlier this year, Club memberships and parking permits have been extended by 3 months. Expiry dates on parking permits do not need to be changed. All permits issued prior to 1 July 2020 will be regarded as being valid for 3 months longer than printed on the permit. Please remember to display your parking permit when using the carpark.

Prior to your new membership expiry date you will receive by mail or email a membership renewal reminder letter and renewal application form. Or you can also obtain a renewal form from the office at any time. Membership number, expiry date and instructions for renewal are included on the renewal form.

After completing the renewal form you:

• may bring it to the office and pay by EFTPOS or cheque or cash (exact amount preferred); or
• if you have the facilities, scan or photograph it and return it as an email attachment and pay by direct bank deposit. Your membership number and the Club’s bank account details are printed on the renewal form and reminder letter. Please ensure that you include your membership number in the payee “Description” section of the bank’s online form. This is essential to enable us to correctly identify the membership to which the payment applies. If you require a parking permit (and/or receipt) you may collect it from the office next time you are in the Club; or
• mail it to the office (address is on the form) and pay by cheque. Please write your membership number and name on the reverse side of the cheque. If you require a parking permit (and/or receipt) you may collect it from the office next time you are in the Club.

Membership and parking permit fees are: $10 for membership for 1 year; $30 for membership and a parking permit for 1 year; $30 for membership for 3 years; and $90 for membership and a parking permit for 3 years. Preferred methods of payment to minimise the handling of cash in these times are EFTPOS, direct bank deposit, cheque and exact amount in cash.

Fortnightly News 31/7/2020

Club Activity Vouchers – Cashless Payments

Woden Seniors is trying to reduce the handling of cash during the COVID-19 pandemic. We have introduced a voucher system for you to pay your activity fee with effect from 1 August 2020. Vouchers are available in denominations of $3; $5 and $6.50 from the front counter. You can purchase these with an EFTPOS transaction.

Cashless is quicker, easier and safer but for some people cash may be their only option and that’s ok.

All Memberships Extended by Three Months

The Management Committee has agreed to extend everyone’s membership by three months.

2020 Book Fair

The Book Fair has been postponed to a date to be decided as a result of the restrictions relating to the COVID-19 pandemic. As it now appears the restrictions will not be relaxed sufficiently for some time, it is most unlikely that we will be able to hold a Book Fair this year. We are however still welcoming donations of books, DVDs, games, vinyl records etc in the hope that one day we will be able to have a Book Fair.

Club Activities

These activities have already started,

Choir Practice (Monday 10.00 – 12.00 pm)

Line Dancing (Monday 10.00 – 12.00 pm)

Seated Exercise (Monday 12.00 – 1.30 pm)

Beading Group (Monday 1.30 – 2.30 pm)

YMCA Gentle Exercise (Tuesday 9.30 – 10.30 am)

YMCA Ever Active (Wednesday 8.30 – 9.30 am)

Water Colour Painting (Wednesday 9.30 – 11.30 am)

Table Tennis (Wednesday & Friday 9.30 – 12.30 pm)

Play Reading Group (Thursday 10.00 – 12.00 pm)

Stitchers (Thursday 10.00 – 12.00 pm)

Craft Group (Thursday 10.00 – 12.00 pm)

Tai Chi & Gentle Exercise (Thursday 2.00 -3.15 pm)

Painting and Drawing (Friday 1.30 – 3.30 pm)

These are activities where we can easily maintain a 1.5metre distance from each other. It is also essential that we maintain good hand hygiene and cough or sneeze into our elbows. There should be no communal refreshment breaks and members should bring their own drink bottles and snacks.

Each group leader will have to ensure that any commonly used areas such as tables and chairs are cleaned with the disinfectant wipes provided before and after the activity. Group leaders will be provided with a checklist of what must be done.

All groups must include each person’s full name and telephone number in the activity book to enable contact tracing in the event that there is a suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19. Please bring the correct money for each activity to minimise handling of cash.

The Management Committee will continuously review activities and wellbeing over the coming months to ensure that we reduce the risk of infection by COVID-19.

Please Do Not Enter the Club if:

• You are feeling unwell and developing cold or flu like symptoms (including fever, cough, sore throat, fatigue or shortness of breath); or
• You have been in close contact with someone with these symptoms or is a confirmed COVID-19 case; or
• You or someone you have been in close contact with has recently returned from interstate or overseas.

Car Parking

We have entered into a contract with Wilson Parking to manage our car park. The annual parking fee for members will remain the same. Wilson Parking uses number plate recognition to identify cars that should not be in our car park. They will issue a fine to vehicles that should not be in the car park. They will tow vehicles away that are repeat offenders. It is essential that we have the current registration number of the car you will be bringing to the Club car park on our system. You can check by looking at your blue parking ticket.

If a Club member does receive a parking fine whilst participating in a Club activity please bring it to the office and we will have it waived.

As you may be aware local workers have used the car park while the Club has been closed.

Membership and Parking Permit Renewals

As previously advised, to compensate for the closure of the Club due to the Covid-19 restrictions earlier this year, Club memberships and parking permits have been extended by 3 months. Expiry dates on parking permits do not need to be changed. All permits issued prior to 1 July 2020 will be regarded as being valid for 3 months longer than printed on the permit. Please remember to display your parking permit when using the carpark.

Prior to your new membership expiry date you will receive by mail or email a membership renewal reminder letter and renewal application form. Or you can also obtain a renewal form from the office at any time. Membership number, expiry date and instructions for renewal are included on the renewal form.

After completing the renewal form you:

• may bring it to the office and pay by EFTPOS or cheque or cash (exact amount preferred); or
• if you have the facilities, scan or photograph it and return it as an email attachment and pay by direct bank deposit. Your membership number and the Club’s bank account details are printed on the renewal form and reminder letter. Please ensure that you include your membership number in the payee “Description” section of the bank’s online form. This is essential to enable us to correctly identify the membership to which the payment applies. If you require a parking permit (and/or receipt) you may collect it from the office next time you are in the Club; or
• mail it to the office (address is on the form) and pay by cheque. Please write your membership number and name on the reverse side of the cheque. If you require a parking permit (and/or receipt) you may collect it from the office next time you are in the Club.

Membership and parking permit fees are: $10 for membership for 1 year; $30 for membership and a parking permit for 1 year; $30 for membership for 3 years; and $90 for membership and a parking permit for 3 years. Preferred methods of payment to minimise the handling of cash in these times are EFTPOS, direct bank deposit, cheque and exact amount in cash.

Fortnightly News 17/7/2020

Club Activities

The Club has reopened and following activities have recommenced in the Club,

Choir Practice (Monday 10.00 – 12.00 pm)

Line Dancing (Monday 10.00 – 12.00 pm)

Seated Exercise (Monday 12.00 – 1.30 pm)

Monday Afternoon Friendship Group (Monday 1.30 – 3.30 pm)

YMCA Gentle Exercise (Tuesday 9.30 – 10.30 am)

YMCA Ever Active (Wednesday 8.30 – 9.30 am)

Water Colour Painting (Wednesday 9.30 – 11.30 am)

Table Tennis (Wednesday & Friday 9.30 – 12.30 pm)

Play Reading Group (Thursday 10.00 – 12.00 pm)

Stitchers (Thursday 10.00 – 12.00 pm)

Craft Group (Thursday 10.00 – 12.00 pm)

Tai Chi & Gentle Exercise (Thursday 2.00 -3.15 pm)

Painting and Drawing (Friday 1.30 – 3.30 pm)

These are activities where we can easily maintain a 1.5metre distance from each other. It is also essential that we maintain good hand hygiene and cough or sneeze into our elbows. There should be no communal refreshment breaks and members should bring their own mugs, drink bottles and snacks.

Each group leader will have to ensure that any commonly used areas such as tables and chairs are cleaned with the disinfectant wipes provided after each activity. Group leaders will be provided with a checklist of what must be done.

All members need to sign in with your full name and telephone number in the foyer to enable contact tracing in the event that there is a suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19. Please bring the correct money for each activity to minimise handling of cash.

The Management Committee will continuously review activities and wellbeing over the coming months to ensure that we reduce the risk of infection by COVID-19.

Please Do Not Enter the Club if:

• You are feeling unwell and developing cold or flu like symptoms (including fever, cough, sore throat, fatigue or shortness of breath); or
• You have been in close contact with someone with these symptoms or is a confirmed COVID-19 case; or
• You or someone you have been in close contact with has recently returned from interstate or overseas.

2020 Book Fair

The Book Fair has been postponed to a date to be decided as a result of the restrictions relating to the COVID-19 pandemic. As it is now appears the restrictions will not be relaxed sufficiently for some time, it is most unlikely that we will be able to hold a Book Fair this year. We are however still welcoming donations of books, games, DVDs, CDs and vinyl records in the hope that one day we will be able to have a Book Fair.

Read More

Fortnightly News 19/6/2020

Club Re-opening on 1 July 2020 for Some Activities

The Management Committee met earlier this week and agreed to re-open the Club for the following activities on Wednesday 1 July 2020:

Choir Practice (Monday)

Line Dancing (Monday)

Seated Exercise (Monday)

Beading Group (Monday)

YMCA Gentle Exercise (Tuesday) – subject to availability of instructor.

YMCA Ever Active (Wednesday) – subject to availability of instructor.

Water Colour Painting (Wednesday)

Table Tennis (Wednesday & Friday)

Play Reading Group (Thursday)

Stitchers (Thursday)

Craft Group (Thursday)

Tai Chi & Gentle Exercise (Thursday)

Painting and Drawing (Friday)

These are activities where we can easily maintain a 1.5metre distance from each other. It is also essential that we maintain good hand hygiene and cough or sneeze into our elbows. There should be no communal refreshment breaks and members should bring their own drink bottles and snacks.

Each group leader will have to ensure that any commonly used areas such as tables and chairs are cleaned with the disinfectant wipes provided before and after the activity. Group leaders will be provided with a checklist of what must be done.

All groups must include each person’s full name and telephone number in the activity book to enable contact tracing in the event that there is a suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19. Please bring the correct money for each activity to minimise handling of cash.

The Management Committee will continuously review activities and wellbeing over the coming months to ensure that we reduce the risk of infection by COVID-19.

Please Do Not Enter the Club if:

• You are feeling unwell and developing cold or flu like symptoms (including fever, cough, sore throat, fatigue or shortness of breath); or
• You have been in close contact with someone with these symptoms or is a confirmed COVID-19 case; or
• You or someone you have been in close contact with has recently returned from interstate or overseas.

All Memberships Extended by Three Months

The Management Committee has agreed to extend everyone’s membership by three months.

Car Parking

We have entered into a contract with Wilson Parking to manage our car park. The annual parking fee for members will remain the same. Wilson Parking uses number plate recognition to identify cars that should not be in our car park. They will issue a fine to vehicles that should not be in the car park. They will tow vehicles away that are repeat offenders. It is essential that we have the current registration number of the car you will be bringing to the Club car park on our system. You can check by looking at your blue parking ticket.

If a Club member does receive a parking fine whilst participating in a Club activity please bring it to the office and we will have it waived.

As you may be aware local workers have used the car park while the Club has been closed.

Fortnightly News 6/3/2020

Covid-19 (Coronavirus)

Members will know from the public information available that the likelihood of the virus spreading into the community is becoming more likely. As many of our members already have underlying health issues and thus increased vulnerability, we would emphasize that anyone who is feeling unwell should, in the interests of everyone, refrain from attending activities at the Club until recovered.

Advance Care Planning

On Friday 27 March at 11.00am, members of the ACT Advance Care Planning Program team will be at the Club. They will talk to us about what is meant by Advance Care Planning – the steps you can take to plan for your future health care. Setting up a formal Advance Care Plan gives you an opportunity to think about, discuss and record ahead of time your choices for treatment if you should become unable to do so in the future. The team will guide those in attendance through the ways and legal documents required to set up your Advance Care Plan, and can make individual appointments to guide you through the process if desired. Light refreshments will be available.

Please let Polly know if you would like to attend so we can set up appropriate seating and catering.

Read More

Fortnightly News 21/2/2020

Advance Care Planning

Woden Seniors has organised for the Advance Care Planning Team to give a presentation at the Club on Friday 27 March at 11.00 in the Sitting Room. Jenny Gregory and Sue Allen will organise some light refreshments for this. If you are interested to attend please let Polly know.

Bridge Classes

Classes for improving bridge players will be held on Mondays at 1.30 pm. Any interested beginners should contact Cathie Padovan on 62313334.

Woden Seniors Website

For full details of all that is offered at Woden Seniors such as the list of activities and the timetable check out the Club’s website at www.wodenseniors.org.au.

Also if if you are wanting to go back and check on something in a previous issue the Fortnightly News can be found on the Internet site.

2020 Seniors Week Forum

The Public Trustee and Guardian will present two Forums during Seniors Week on the importance of having a valid and up-to-date Will and Enduring Power of Attorney. The Public Trustee and Guardian offer a free professionally drafted Will for anybody aged 60 years and older.

Date: Tuesday 24th March 2020

Time: 9:30am – 12:00pm

Venue: Dickson Tradesman Union Club (The Tradies)

Address: 2 Badham Street, Dickson

Date: Wednesday 25th March 2020

Time: 6:00pm – 8:00pm

Venue: Town Centre Vikings

Address: Cnr Athllon Dr & Rowland Rees Crescent, Greenway

• • Lucky door prizes

• • Free PTG Will voucher for all attendees up to 60 years of age.

• • Light refreshment provided

Bookings essential Call 62079800 or ptg_marketing

We will also be at the Senior Week Expo at Exhibition Park on Thursday 26th March from 10:00am – 3:00pm on Site 16.

Read More

Fortnightly News 7/2/2020

Bridge Classes

Classes for improving bridge players will be held on Mondays at 1.30 pm. Any interested beginners should contact Polly at the office.

Book Fair helpers

Preparations are well underway for the 2020 BIG Book Fair which is just over six months away.

Donations of books are rolling in and we would welcome some more helpers. At present we are sorting, cleaning and categorising the large number of donations we are receiving. We have two groups of volunteers operating – one on Wednesday mornings from 10 am and the other on Friday mornings from 10 am. If you have some spare time and would like to come in on one of those mornings to see how it is done we would love to see you. You will find us surrounded by books in the veranda area. If you would like more information leave your contact details with Polly.

Do you have a spare wheel chair?

The Bridge Group is seeking the donation of a wheel chair to be used while playing on Thursdays. If you would like to donate a wheel chair you are no longer using please bring it into the club or phone Polly to arrange collection.

SPIRAL PROGRAM – meets at the Uniting Church, Curtin at 10am on Thursdays

My name is Brett Yeats, and on behalf of all of us who put this community group together, I welcome you to the first Spiral program of 2020. As you will see in a minute, we are off to a great start next Thursday, February 13.

Many of you know what to expect but before I tell you about the treats we have in front of us, I’ll remind those who are less familiar with Spiral about who we are and what we do. We are a group of people who have been meeting in the hall at the St James Uniting Church for 50 years. There is no religious nature to our meetings and our members come from varied backgrounds, occupations and origins. We are mostly retired, aged from our 60s to our 90s but we won’t turn you away if you are younger or older. There are good numbers of both men and women. We do ask that you make a gold coin donation when you attend. There are no membership fees, no forms to fill in. You can come to as many or as few of our entertainments-and-morning-teas as you like, and you don’t have to book in.

We are a volunteer-run not-for-profit group largely funded by the Canberra Southern Cross Club’s Community Rewards scheme (check out this link). Whether you attend Spiral or not, any CSCC member can support us by nominating us to receive 7.5% of your food and/ or beverage expenditure.

St James is at 40 Gillies Street in Curtin. This link will give you directions from your place to the large carpark if you have transport. There is a bus stop at the Curtin shops directly opposite.

We ask you to arrive by 10.00 am and we aim to start our ‘entertainment’ by 10.10. The entertainment is either a guest speaker, sometimes in a conversation format, or a musical performance. We aim to serve a fresh, mainly home-made, morning tea at 11.00 (sometimes a little earlier, sometimes a little later) and we aim to finish at midday.

We welcome new faces and I ask you to share this program with anyone you think might be interested. If you have any questions you can contact Brett Yeats via email at yeatsb or on 0406 37 9119 or 6281 7684. Or you could contact Angelika Dunker at angelika.dunker or on 0491 120 556 or 6281 4023.

Now, here is what has been booked for February and March.

February 13 Dr Emma Kindred Hugh Ramsay

Emma is the Curator of 19th Century Australian Art at the National Gallery of Australia. Hugh Ramsay was an accomplished Australian artist whose portrait paintings achieved success both in Australia and in France before his untimely death at the age of just 28. Emma will talk about this wonderful retrospective not-to-be-missed exhibition. The exhibition is free and closes on March 29.

February 20 The Canberra Mandolin Orchestra

Formed in 2003, the CMO brings together players of mandolin, mandola, mandocello, guitar and bass. It keeps alive the rich tradition of the mandolingroups that emerged in the firstcouple ofdecades of the 20th century. The CMO’s repertoire is very wide showing the versatility of its musicians. They have played in the High Court, at Government House and at the National Folk Festival and we have been privileged to have them perform for us many times. Today’s concert will be a rehearsal of the material that they are about to record for their first CD.

February 27 Jan Harris

Jan, Canberra born-and-bred, spent 30+ years in the Australian Public Service. She was the first ever female deputy secretary of Treasury in its 112-year history. Highlights in her career include representing Treasury at the OECD delegation in Paris, sitting in Cabinet discussing the Global Financial Crisis and being a finalist in the 2015 Telstra ACT Business Women’s Awards. She also had a senior role in PM&C. Since 2016, Jan has been an Independent Director of the Bendigo and Adelaide Bank.

March 5 Bruce Chapman AM “The Economic Value of Don Bradman and Reflections of a Lifetime Bradman Tragic”.

Bruce is an ANU economist and academic known for being the architect of the HECS (Higher Education Contribution Scheme) loan system. In 2001, he became a Member of the Order of Australia “for service to the development of Australian economic, labour market and social policy”. I’ve had the pleasure of enjoying Bruce’s economic lectures which are very entertaining, I can’t wait to see how he addresses this subject.

March 12 Dame Annette King New Zealand High Commissioner

Here is a first – we’ve never been joined by a Dame before. This Dame has taken on a new challenge. Dame Annette is NZ’s longest serving female MP. Following more than 30 years in parliament, she has thrown herself into her new life as High Commissioner in Canberra with energy and enthusiasm.

Fortnightly News 24/1/2020

Welcome to the first fortnightly newsletter for 2020. Most of the regular club activities are restarting. U3A activities start first week in February. Why not try a new activity this year, there are many to choose from – Tai Chi, gentle exercise, recorder, Bridge, table tennis, singing, dancing, painting and more.

Bridge Classes

Classes for all levels (including Beginners) resume on Monday 3rd February at 1.30 pm.

Book Fair helpers

Preparations are well underway for the 2020 BIG Book Fair which is just over six months away.

Donations of books are rolling in and we would welcome some more helpers. At present we are sorting, cleaning and categorising the large number of donations we are receiving. We have two groups of volunteers operating – one on Wednesday mornings from 10 am and the other on Friday mornings from 10 am. If you have some spare time and would like to come in on one of those mornings to see how it is done we would love to see you. You will find us surrounded by books in the veranda area. If you would like more information leave your contact details with Polly.

Do you have a spare wheel chair?

The Bridge Group is seeking the donation of a wheel chair to be used while playing on Thursdays. If you would like to donate a wheel chair you are no longer using please bring it into the club or contact Polly to arrange collection.

Fortnightly News 20/12/2019

Club Closing Times for the Festive Season

The Club will close at 4pm on Friday 20 December 2019 and re-open on Monday 13 January 2020. Activity groups can continue to use the Club through this period by arrangement with the front office.

I wish you a happy and safe festive season and look forward to seeing you in the New Year.

Bridge Classes

Classes for all levels have finished for the year and will re-start on Monday 3rd February 2020.

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