Seniors Clubs & Events
Seniors Week
Here are the dates and links for Seniors Weeks across Australia.
New South Wales
15 – 22 March 2009. For more information click here
Victoria
4 - 11 October 2009. To check for latest information click here
ACT
15 - 22 March 2009. For more information click here
Queensland
15 - 23 August 2009. For more information click here
Tasmania
1–7 October 2009. For more information click here
Western Australia
To be advised.
South Australia
To be advised.
Northern Territory
The month of August.
Making friends at any age
Friendships can last a lifetime but quite often, we find ourselves in need of new friends and experiences. AboutSeniors have details of three different community groups responsible for linking together older Australians.
U3A
A great way to continue learning at any age and meet new people, Universities of the Third Age, or U3As as they are more often called, are voluntary, non-profit organisations which aim to offer low-cost educational opportunities that operate in a pleasant, supportive social setting. There are no formal entry requirements, no examinations and no “awards”. U3As are built on the premise that, collectively, older people have the skills & knowledge to provide learning for themselves. For more information visit U3A.
Australian Seniors Computer Clubs Association
Australian Seniors Computer Clubs Association (ASCCA) is the national peak body for seniors and technology. ASCCA is represented in every state and territory of Australia and ASCCA associated clubs are a great way to learn new skills or share your computer skills through clubs and groups. If you are interested in learning more about computers or have a wealth of information to volunteer, visit ASCCA.
PROBUS
One of the largest clubs in Australia, the idea of PROBUS was created in 1965 in England and spread around the world through the Rotary program. This concept for retirees offers social contacts and no service constraints. The name name PROBUS comes from the words – professional and business. With currently 1798 clubs throughout Australia, it is more than likely that there will be a club in your area! For more information visit Probus.
Probus clubs
Prof S, wants to know about Probus clubs in Victoria. With 1792 clubs around Australia, Probus offers the chance for many to keep active.
Founded in the UK in 1965, and with the first club being formed in Australia in 1979, the aim of Probus is to promote the development of friendships and provision of intellectual interests of its members. The members of Probus are active, either mentally or physically, retired or semi-retired people, looking to get together and enjoy activities with those who are likeminded.
For more information on Probus and to find a club in your area, visit their website.
Going clubbing!
Many thanks for your feedback on what you like to do with your spare time and what clubs you belong to. We’d like to share your experiences with particularly good clubs, ideas you have for new clubs or simply things that are easy, cheap (or even better free!) to do in your area. Below are some ideas you’ve already sent us and if you have any more, feel free to
Most of the clubs suggested are local but it gives you an idea of what is out there and a starting point to find what you’re looking for. Some of the other suggestions we were given were to try your local libraries, RSL clubs and churches, many of these often have different clubs that may interest you.
CAE book club
As well as providing short courses that you may find interesting, the Centre for Adult Education also support book groups all over Australia, providing all materials for a small annual fee. With over a 1,000 titles on offer, you’re sure to find something that interests you. Whether you wish to start your own book club or join and existing one, contact CAE for further information
University of the Third Age
U3A’s are great clubs to join if keeping your mind active is important to you. If learning a language, updating your computer skills, or developing your interest in art appeals, then your local U3A should be able to assist. There is also a social side to many U3A’s with many of them arranging lunch and dinner outings and even trips to the theatre. For more information click here
Cambelltown Catholic Club
Fernwood Womens’ Health Club
Hunter MG Club
Liverpool Catholic Club
Blackburn Central Probus Club
Men’s shed
Men’s sheds are popping up all over the country. These informal get-togethers give blokes the chance to hang out and talk about whatever is on their mind in a relaxed environment.
A new Men’s shed has recently opened in Canterbury, Sydney. So get involved and make new friends or meet up with old ones and have a laugh or chew the fat about life, the universe and everything. Men’s Sheds are generally organised through your state Council of the Ageing (COTA) organisation. If you’d like to start one in your area or find out where your nearest Men’s shed is, click here to go to the COTA national page, from where you can access your state organisation’s contact details.
A little bit country
For over 70 years the Country Women’s Association has made life better for women and children living in rural Australia and their work is just as relevant, if not more so, in these modern times.
With approximately 25,000 members and 1500 branches, the CWA is the largest women’s organisation in Australia and is self-funded and neither political nor sectarian, with their opinion being sought on many issues. Members are asked to participate in preparing responses to proposed legislative changes before they are sent to the appropriate body.
The CWA also offer great opportunities to get out there and meet new people and learn new skills, with classes being run in crafts, drama, cooking, public speaking and floral art. Workshops are also held to enable older members to get to grips with today’s modern technology such as ATMs, computers and electronic banking.
It’s all for a good cause too! As well as supporting local communities, The CWA have published the Country Classics cookbook, which is packed full of useful recipes for feeding a family or making and freezing for those living alone. The proceeds from the sale of the cookbook provide a scholarship to enable a nurse to undertake an undergraduate course and continue to work in a rural or remote community. Scholarships are also awarded at state level to students of all ages, in all fields.
For more information on how to locate and join your local CWA branch or to find out more about the excellent work they carry out across the country, click here.
Events
See separate section above for Seniors Weeks.
Event Watch
Find out what's on around the country by interest group, region, location and dates. The site's search engine allows you to select up to nine criteria for easy location of events. There's a comprehensive picture of events, with information on venues, ticketing, transportation, parking, facilities, accommodation and other services.
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