Member for Gosford Liesl Tesch is encouraging seniors on the Peninsula looking to expand their social circle to check out the Ettalong 50+ Leisure and Learning Centre.
Located on the corner of Broken Bay Rd and Karingi St, the centre offers all manner of fun and educational activities from bootscooting to bridge, yoga, tai chi and table tennis and everything in between.
“Community clubs like Ettalong 50+ are safe, welcoming destinations run by older members of the community, for the benefit of older members of the community,” Tesch said.
“They are places where people from all walks of life can come together, build a network of friendship and enjoy relaxed get-togethers with like-minded people.
“There’s nothing quite like the wellbeing boost that being a part of something bigger can bring.”
Centre President John Gibbins said the centre opened six days a week and housed numerous comfortable, practical spaces including a calm library space, computer room, indoor bowling area, large dining room with a commercial-grade kitchen and a dance hall.
“We’re a not-for-profit organisation that will broaden friendships and open people’s eyes to activities they may not have tried,” he said.
“Nothing beats being in the company of like-minded individuals.”
The centre’s community choir meets on Fridays at 12.30pm.
“Our community choir gives people a chance to open the lungs, lower stress, have a laugh and heighten joy,” Gibbins said.
“Singing can even help lower blood pressure and improve respiratory function.”
The women’s shed art and craft group is also popular.
Nicki O’Connor, who joined Ettalong 50+ in the year 2000, has enjoyed being a convenor of a raft of club activities including playing cards, quilting and patchwork.
“I love teaching painting, cardmaking, origami and making simple jewellery like bracelets and earrings,” he said.
“We do a lot of charity work too – making blankets for We Care Connect – it’s amazing what you can make from a few scraps of wool.
“We upcycle Christmas cards too – in fact we produced 368 for nursing homes last Christmas.”
The centre is always on the lookout for motivated, skilled individuals with spare hours each week to fill a range of roles.
“We are always on the hunt for volunteers – whether that’s to conduct an event, help with catering, design flyers to help promote the centre, or even look after our Facebook,” Gibbins said.
Ettalong 50+ has a dynamic activity roster, including Tech Savvy Seniors, a NSW Government initiative in partnership with Telstra that provides hands-on help with technology skills.
With the rise of digital, basic computer skills can help older members of the community navigate online activities with greater ease, confidence and of course safety.
Leatherwork, held on Wednesdays from 9am-noon, gives members the opportunity to get their hands on many kinds of leatherworking tools and techniques to handle leather materials.
Members could make a wallet, a belt, a key chain or perhaps something decorative.
The centre also runs indoor bowls in two lanes on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 9am-11.30am
Prior experience is not required and beginners are welcome for free lessons on Tuesdays and Fridays from 11am-noon.
Membership to Ettalong 50+ is just $15 annually, with selected activities costing $3 each.
Learn more by visiting ettalong50plus.org.au, or by dropping in for a visit.