Fortnightly News 13/2/2026
Issue 3 of 2026 13 February 2026
DATES TO REMEMBER
Tuesday 17 February – Management Committee Meeting
Monday 9 March – Canberra Day Public Holiday. Club will be closed.
Fri-Sun 27-29 March 2026 – our next Big Book Fair
BOOK FAIR – TIME TO SPREAD THE WORD
There are many ways members can help spread the word about the Book Fair. Here are a few.
Newsletters
Many community groups such as sporting groups, churches, card groups etc. have regular newsletters. They are usually pleased to receive items. Ask the editor to include information about the Book Fair. Give them a bookmark to provide the details.
Bookmarks
We always have a supply of Book Fair bookmarks at the counter. Pick some up next time you pass by. Give them to your friends, group members, and neighbours and even ask shop keepers if you can leave a few for their customers.
Social media
Many of our generation are unsure about using social media. However, the younger generations use it all the time. If we want to reach the broader community, we need to think about tapping into social media through the younger generations. Social media platforms like Instagram, WhatsApp, X, and Facebook allow events to reach thousands of people instantly, far beyond traditional flyers or word-of-mouth.
We have set up an Instagram account and are using it to call for donations as well as provide information on the wonderful books we have ready so far for the 2026 Book Fair.
Many people belong to WhatsApp groups e.g. relating to school communities, sporting groups etc. These groups are often private and an excellent way to get information out about events.
Why not check with family and friends to see if they can use their social media platforms to help promote our Book Fair. If they are interested in doing this all you need to do is give them a bookmark that includes the details.
In relation to Instagram, the address is instagram@bookfair2026. Get them to have a look.
Posters
Posters will be available from Polly to distribute next week. There are three sizes A3 (big), A4 (letter size) and A6 small. Have a look around to see where you could put one. Lots of places e.g. gyms , churches, clubs have noticeboards. Most shopping areas in Canberra have a poster silo, the tall concrete structure, where you can put posters.
Let’s get the news out as widely as possible.
AND YES – SENIORS ROCK !!!
Of course it’s not too late to start writing your paragraph, half-page, or short story length contribution to our forthcoming publication – “SENIORS ROCK”. We are looking for anything from a paragraph, a photo, a half-page, a poem, up to a full-blown short story which celebrates our talents, experiences, memories…..anything which can be put on a page. Please get in touch – to president@wodenseniors.org.au or just let Polly know if you would like to be a part of this and we will get in touch. If you have something to say, but not the time or skill to type it up yourself, we can make a voice recording, type it up and give it to you for editing. Handwritten contributions also welcome of course. We will be happy to make times available to talk with anyone who is interested.
Don’t miss this chance to be famous!
A vertically challenged (bit like me) club member specially requested this addition to today’s news.
“People only continue to grow until they reach perfection. Some of us reach this point much sooner than others.”
Jenny Gregory
President
Woden Seniors Inc
PO Box 345, Woden ACT 2606 Tel: (02) 6282 2573
Email: president@wodenseniors.org.au
The Washington Post is always good for a laugh!
Once again they have asked for submissions for the neologism contest – alternate meanings for common words.
These were the winners:
Coffee – the person upon whom one coughs
Flabbergasted – appalled over how much weight you have gained
Abdicate – to give up all hope of ever having a flat stomach
Esplanade – to attempt an explanation while drunk
Negligent – describes a condition in which you absent-mindedly answer the door in your nightgown
Lymph – to walk with a lisp
Gargoyle – vile olive-flavoured mouthwash
Flatulance – the vehicle which picks you up after your have been run over by a steamroller
Balderdash – a rapidly receding hairline.
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COMMUNITY NOTICES
On 30 January 2026 Minister Suzanne Orr MLA launched the 2026-2027 ACT Seniors Card Discount Directory. The Directory catalogues over 450 businesses who kindly offer an ACT Seniors Card holder a discount on a range of products and services. We thank the generosity of the businesses who participate in the ACT Seniors Card program. The new Directory is stocked at all ACT Public Libraries and the COTA ACT office in Hughes. A digital copy of the Directory sits on the ACT Seniors Card website and is updated regularly with new businesses.
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The Canberra Retirement Village & Resort Expo
With Australia’s ageing population, more emphasis is being placed on home care and the amenity of residential homes being developed. Canberra and surrounds are seeing various developments across independent and assisted living. If you, your family or friends are interested in retirement village or over 55 living, the Canberra Retirement Village & Resort Expo may be informative. It will be at the Canberra Southern Cross Club (Woden), on Sunday and Monday 15-16 February 2026 from 10am to 3pm both days. More information: https://retirementexpo.com.au/canberra-retirement-village-expo.html
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