Centre Of A Healthy, Happy Life

Sydney Morning Herald

Wednesday June 8, 1994

KEN MATHERS

SENIOR citizens are having fun at Crows Nest Community Centre. They glide around the dance floor, play indoor bowls, bingo, cards and games. They sing their hearts out, and enjoy craftwork and fitness classes.

The leisure program for seniors is designed to keep them healthy, happy and surrounded by friends.

For shopping expeditions, a bus picks up elderly residents at their homes like a taxi service. On certain days, coaches take them to tourist spots at a moderate cost.

Crows Nest Community Centre, set in well-kept lawns in Ernest Place, Willoughby Road, is owned by North Sydney Council.

The program for seniors is run by North Sydney Community Service with the help of volunteers, but more are needed to help keep up the good work.

Other than bus and coach trips, walks and aquafitness, all activities listed below are held at the centre .

MONDAYS: Walking for Pleasure. For starting points and details phone Ms Gaye Marie Bowles on 439 5122. "500" card group, 11.30 am to 2.30 pm. Combined Pensioners' bingo, 12.30 pm to 3 pm.

TUESDAYS: Gentle exercise classes (fee $3), 10 am to 11 am.

On first and third Tuesday of each month, a shopping bus picks up people at their homes, and travels to Neutral Bay and return (fare $1), 10 am to 2 pm.

WEDNESDAYS: Bingo with North Sydney Pensioners' Welfare Group, 12.30 pm to 3 pm.

A shopping bus on Wednesdays is for frail, elderly people who require assistance from volunteers. Bus picks up passengers at their homes, travels to Neutral Bay and return ($1), 10 am to 2 pm.

Another bus service to tourist centres operates on the fourth Wednesday each month. The next trip is to Katoomba on June 22 ($5 bus fare, $1.50 morning tea and $7 lunch at Katoomba Bowling Club), bookings essential, phone 439 5122.

THURSDAYS: Craft group, 10 am to 12 noon. Euchre and canasta groups, 12.30 pm to 4 pm.

FRIDAYS: Bus picks up people at home at 9.30 am and brings them to Crows Nest Community Centre for games, singing, poetry reading, lunch, and takes them home at 2 pm. Bus fare $1, plus cost of meal.

Indoor bowls, 9.30 am to 11.30 am. Aquafitness at Royal North Shore Hospital pool, 12.30 pm to 1.15 pm, phone Ms Gaye Marie Bowles on 439 5122 for details.

New Vogue dance group, 12.30 pm to 4 pm, instruction provided.

SATURDAYS: A new service, a bus outing for frail, elderly people, operates on alternate Saturdays between 10 am and 2 pm. The next outing is on June 18. Details, phone Ms Chris Baines, 439 5122.

The dining room at Crows Nest Community Centre is open for senior citizens and pensioners on weekdays for morning tea (10.30 am to 11.30 am) and lunch(11.30 am to 12.30 pm). A hot meal costs $2.80, soup $1.

Ms Lyn Lormer, executive officer for North Sydney Community Service, said the centre at Crows Nest was pretty much a focal point for elderly residents in northern Sydney.

More volunteers were urgently needed to support the program, particularly Meals on Wheels and the Neighbour Aid Service which provided fresh bed linen for frail, elderly people, transport for their shopping and medical appointments, and friendly visits.

"We provide training and social events for volunteers, and try as far as possible to pay their out-of-pocket expenses such as petrol for Meals on Wheels," Ms Lormer said.

"We can't survive without the volunteers. People of all age groups may apply for this work, from students to senior citizens, unemployed people and retirees."

Counselling services are offered to elderly residents to help solve any financial and welfare problems.

"We don't give out money, but we can advise and assist people to develop their own budget, and avoid debts," Mrs Lormer said.

On weekdays the dining room at the centre serves morning tea from 10.30 am to 11.30 am, and low-cost lunches from 11.30 am to 12.30 pm. Soup is $1 and a hot main course is $2.80.

The Johnson and Fuller halls, and three smaller rooms at the centre, are available for hire for social functions and business meetings. Booking inquiries, phone Mr Mitch Mitchell, 906 3320.