Get your dance moves on and join us for Zumba Gold—the perfect mix of fun, fitness, and hot rhythms! Every Thursday afternoon from 2:00 pm to 2:45 pm, instructor Lisa Wheatley brings her energy and expertise to guide you through routines tailored specifically for seniors.
With over 5 years of success, this class offers a gentler lower-intensity, modified workout, making it ideal for beginners or anyone returning to exercise. At just $5 per session, it’s an affordable way to stay active, make new friends and discover hidden moves you never knew you had.
Centre Update
As the temperatures outside begins to cool down, things are certainly heating up at the centre! In addition to our regular programs, we’re excited to announce several upcoming events and sessions for seniors
• Let’s Talk about Aged Care
• Poetry Sessions
• Ageing Well Information Sessions
• Strengthening Connections
• Clothes Swap Day
We’d like to kindly remind everyone to update us if your emergency contact details have changed. This helps us keep our records current and ensures your safety.
And finally Happy Mother’s Day! To all our fabulous Mothers. You deserve all the love, laughter, and chocolate (especially the chocolate). Enjoy Your special Day.
The QEII Seniors & Community Centre is provided by the City of Greater Geraldton and funded by the State Government through the Department of Communities
Creative Journalling
With Lorraine Chapman
Our first session began with seven curious women turning up to find out what this mysterious creative journalling was all about. It turned out to be a splashà of art, a slosh of creative writing, a pinch of bravery, a dollop of discovery, three cups of fun, a bucket of laughter and a tonne of learning, plus some tasty afternoon tea.
Over six sessions we drew, painted and collaged with paint, coffee, food colouring, and inks, using brushes, nib pens and our fingers. We met authors and artists, like Roald Dahl, Mark Greenwood, Vincent Van Gogh, Iris Scott and Charlie Mackesy.
Each week our participants’ confidence, bravery, skills and friendship grew, along with our numbers. We ended up with fourteen, keen, creative journallers cramming into the tiny computer room.
We were all sad to say goodbye to our Tuesday afternoon creativity and to each other. So sad, that I’ve agreed to come back and do another six creative journalling sessions later in the year, after running a course of six “No Fail Fun Poetry” workshops starting in May at QEII.
Feedback from Heather, class participant
“The Journalling class on Tuesday afternoons has been so much fun and challenging at times. So glad I enrolled for it. Just a great group of women”
“No Fail, Fun Poetry” Workshops
Who’s ready for our next writing adventure?
Play with language, learn simple steps, tap into your creativity and wrestle words into poems.
Suitable for complete beginners and experienced poets alike. Be surprised and entertained, as we find our poetic voices together.
Be there, or be square, wear your 1970s bell-bottomed flairs!
1:30-3:30 pm 13, 20,27 May & 3, 10, 17 June
Cost is $5.
Contact the QEII Office to register on 9956 6636
Snippets of My Life
With Elizabeth Szczepanska
I was born in communist Poland and as a child recruited by coaches who came to the primary school to join an athletic club. Only tall kids with long legs and arms had the privilege to join. I graduated high school and went to university to study psychology and compete in athletics and was academic champion in discus and shot put in 1972 and 1974. After graduating I worked as a psychologist in Neuro-Psychiatry Hospital for Children & Adolescents, then as lecturer and researcher at the Academy of Sport. As a student I connected with an illegal anti-communist organization and joined rebels, movers and shakers. In 1980 I was one of the leaders of Poland’s Solidarity, an independent union movement which crashed by imposed Martial Law. More than 10 000 people were arrested at midnight on the 13 December 1981 and I was one. Standing in front of soldiers with machine guns at minus 30 C, I believed I was going to die. I did not die. I survived prison and 5 years of home arrest, but when
secret police offered me the option to leave Poland or go to prison again, I decided to leave the country. My passport allowed me to leave and go anywhere but didn’t allow me to return to Poland.
Australia granted me permanent residency before I left Poland with my 3.5 years daughter Joanna. It wasn’t a rosy road at all. In an Australian Social Security office, I was told my wish to work in Australia in my profession was unrealistic and delusional. The social worker through an interpreter said my best option was “to stay on a single parent pension till my daughter turned 16 years old, clean for cash rich people houses, get an Australian boyfriend or better two (wink, wink) and not worry too much about a professional career”. I didn’t listen and follow this advice. I used my psychological knowledge and understanding of the brain’s ability to learn and decided at the age of 37 to learn to speak, write and swear in English. It took her a few years. I recorded Melbourne’s 3 RPH radio
where volunteers read newspapers for people with visual impairment, listened to the tapes and read the same articles from The Age and The Australian newspapers. Dressed up as a cleaner with a mop and bucket I sneaked into psychology lectures at Monash University to listen to professional psychological jargon. I opened a private Creative Child Care for children with challenging behaviours and used the children as teachers. (As we all know, every child who wants something will repeat the same request multiple times.)
I then asked the Victorian Psychological Board to allow me to pass an exam before to check my knowledge and skills. After I got my registration, I began work as a psychologist in Victoria, then Western Australia (Anglicare in Albany and Centacare in Geraldton). In November 2024 after working as a psychologist for 50 years I retired from full-time employment and now enjoy activities offered by QEII, especially Balance Gym and would join a boxing group if I could.
There are a lot of initiative ideas I conducted in the
community circle. For my commitment to people struggling with mental health I was nominated as a finalist in the recent WA Rural Health Excellence Award as a Community Health Professional of the Year. Recently I participated in Master Athletics WA and brought back to Geraldton five medals, two gold, one silver and two bronze. I’m currently the 2025 MAWA Champion in hammer and weight throwing in the women’s age group 7074 years old. I’ve always believed in the importance of physical fitness and strength in fostering mental and as always… this time I ‘walked the talk.’
Owing to a lack of space in the previous Newsletter, we were unable to highlight how important it is to recognise that we are never too old to learn! This year, in our beginners’ class, we have two learners of 88 and 89 years old, Tom and Helen Vivien, and I’m sure I speak for the other volunteers when I say how proud we are of them for joining our sessions. We hope they benefit from our new and more personal approach to learning. Well done!
During the first two weeks of April we learned about ways we could adapt our phones to become more user friendly. Following the two-weeks break we shall be recapping and investigating ‘text messaging’ by keyboard or word of mouth and all related aspects that keep us in touch with our friends and families.
In the month of April, our students in the continuous class were shown how to back up photos and other important documents to the cloud from our Apple iPhone/Android devices. Also, how we can share photos with friends and families using the cloud. A video was presented to the students about using these features and a step-by-step guide was also distributed to the class, who found them very helpful.
Following the School holidays, our classes recommenced on 1st May with more interesting topics to present throughout the month of May.
Please contact us on 0474 639 961 if you wish to join or visit either of our classes and for one-to-one appointments on Tuesday mornings.
Your phone, your style…..
Winners are grinners!
Catherine Jennings, lucky winner of the second prize in the 2024 Seniors Week raffle of a $500 All Décor voucher collects her magic carpet from All Decor, 2 Jensen St, Geraldton. Winners are grinners!
And a little ode she wrote to go with it!
The “All Decor” guys are helpful, but shy, “No photos!” they blushed Though I duly asked “Why? You’re good looking roosters! Come on, say CHEESE!” They vanished.
(I think I heard one cry “Barleeze!”) The carpet I chose Looks like seaweed and sand, Washed by a shore break… I think it looks grand With my Paul Lucas sea-print Of Tarcoola Beach. Oh the peace and the beauty That Nature can teach!
An I-Ode-U Personalised Poetic Tribute by CJ - the Scribe with the Vibe. (Never beige on the page)
Accessing Respite Care
First step
• Register with Carer Gateway. Helping Minds are the local point of contact for Carer Gateway. Helping Minds will assist with registering and finding respite. Contact 1800 811 747.
• Carers can also visit the office and have a chat face to face. The office is located at 76 Forrest Street, Geraldton- opposite Bendigo Bank.
Emergency respite care
If your carer is unexpectedly unable to care for you, emergency respite care can help. Situations where emergency respite care might be needed include:
• Death or major illness of a primary carer
• An urgent situation that makes it difficult for your carer to look after you.
• If you need emergency respite care in your home or in the community, contact Carer Gateway on 1800 422 737.
Planned Respite in Geraldton both in home and residential is very limited.
• Pragmacare has a respite home in Tarcoola Beach https://pragmacarewa. com.au/respite/ 08 6388
0952 (office in Perth)
• Bolton Clarke – (Acacia Living) have opened their respite centre. It is low care in Beachlands. https://www. boltonclarke.com.au/livingoptions/residential-agedcare/geraldton-respitecentre/ 08 9920 7200
• Nazareth House 1300 629 273 https://nazarethcare. com.au/living-with-us/ respite-care/ have high care respite beds. There is a daily cocontribution fee for these services.
Online services For online support services and more information
• Dementia Support Australia 1800 699 799 (24 hours) https://www.dementia.com. au/dementia-carers-page/ services/staying-at-home Dementia Australia can provide advice and support 1800 500 100 (24 hours) https://www.dementia.org. au/living-dementia/careoptions/respite-care
Seniors Action Group
Happy May, everyone! Time to enjoy the autumn sunshine.
May flower is the lovely lily of the valley, and the birthstone is the stunning emerald.
We recently held our AGM meeting & lunch on April 8th at 10:30 am with 35 members attending. President Trevor Hansen opened the proceedings and minutes read. Lunch was a real treat with lasagne, chips and salad followed by apple slice and ice cream.
We welcomed four new members, and we’re thrilled to have them join us.
1 Sympathy card was sent, thankyou Val.
Card winners were Faye Wright and Carol Sutherland. Congratulations.
SAG have a new secretary, but we’ve got a bit of a crisis on our hands... we’re looking for a new President!
Are you ready to take over the reins? We’re looking for someone with passion & dedication so if you’re up for the challenge we would love to hear from you!
Join us for Cards, Euchre, and Frustration (just don’t get too frustrated) from 1 to 4 pm every Friday. All are welcome, and it’s a great way to meet new people and have a laugh.
To all the amazing mums out there, Happy Mother’s Day!
We hope your special day is filled with love, laughter, and all your favourite things.
Mother’s Day Joke:
What did the baby spider say to the Mummy spider?
You’re spinning too much time on the web.
Dates for your Diary:
5 May at 10:30amCommittee Meeting
13 May at 10am - Morning Tea followed by Annual General Meeting and Lunch.
Pensioners Social Club
We rushed into the building to get out of the sun for our monthly meeting. Autumn has started but the temperatures are still very high. We missed Lyn at the front desk taking our lunch money and wish her and her husband a speedy recovery.
As the meeting opened, we were welcomed by the President and listened to the Minutes of last month’s meeting, read by Pat. During General Business, an announcement was made about a planned trip to Kalbarri and a boat cruise on the river. People interested in going were encouraged to put their names down on the form provided. We need 31 people to make the trip happen.
We then sang Happy Birthday to seven people and gave them a special little flower to celebrate their birthday with us.
Our guest speaker Natasha Pirrotina from Consumer Protection warned us about many scams taking place in WA. She gave advice and highlighted how much money is lost each year. Her special message was never to give away your personal details or any information to
anyone you do not know. If your details have been compromised, contact your financial institutions as soon as possible.
You can get help from Consumer Protection and information about scams targeting WA any day. We all enjoyed lunch and the Easter Bunnies who had decorated the President’s desk and been raffled earlier on. We went home as satisfied winners.
We wish you all a happy Easter and hope that Autumn weather will set in soon.
Calling for expressions of interest for Kalbarri Trip in June/July. Contact Val on 0447 372 120 or Pat on 0427 567 243 for further information
Strengthening Connections
Strengthening Connections
Geraldton, WA
Geraldton, WA
Tuesday, 6 May 2025
Tuesday, 6 May 2025
The Strengthening Connections project brings together Dementia Advocates, members of the Dementia Australia Advisory Committee (DAAC), Dementia Australia staff and community members in regional areas of Australia to meet, share stories and build stronger local relationships.
The Strengthening Connections project brings together Dementia Advocates, members of the Dementia Australia Advisory Committee (DAAC), Dementia Australia staff and community members in regional areas of Australia to meet, share stories and build stronger local relationships.
The project aims to connect people living with dementia, their family and or carers across Australia, reducing their isolation, and to stay connected within their community
The project aims to connect people living with dementia, their family and or carers across Australia, reducing their isolation, and to stay connected within their community
Dementia Australia Advisory Committee (DAAC)
Dementia
Australia Advisory Committee (DAAC)
The purpose of DAAC is to provide a national platform in Dementia Australia to hear the voice of people living with dementia. DAAC identified the urgent need to strengthen and grow the Dementia Advocates network in nonmetropolitan and regional areas.
The purpose of DAAC is to provide a national platform in Dementia Australia to hear the voice of people living with dementia. DAAC identified the urgent need to strengthen and grow the Dementia Advocates network in nonmetropolitan and regional areas.
Tuesday, 6 May 2025
Tuesday, 6 May 2025
10:30am – 11:30am 11:30am onwards opportunity for 1:1 discussions.
10:30am – 11:30am 11:30am onwards opportunity for 1:1 discussions.
They say a path in your garden provides ambience so six months ago I began the landscaping process in my front yard by installing a brick one. With the cooler weather approaching I decided the Easter weekend was a good time to stop procrastinating and get back to it.
Have you ever googled garden paths and edging? Mulch, gravel, wood, stone, brick, stepping stones etc and that doesn’t include the edging material. Choices were so overwhelming my brain went into overload, so I decided it was time for a cuppa and lie down. Thirty minutes later with renewed vision and shovel in hand and my sister spurring me on I ceremoniously broke into the ground. Eight metres of grass to remove and with the help of two energetic young people and rustic coloured edging at $24.95 per metre the garden bed next to the path is ready for planting.
Voila! And just like Dorothy, my path may not be yellow, but you can follow my brick path right to my castle door, oops I mean my humble renovated 1960’s abode.
So, if you’re wondering what
I’m planting in the garden bed, well, that’s another saga. I’m leaning towards a row of everlasting love which flower all year round. I like grouping and repeating plants. It creates harmony and looks like I have a plan even if I don’t.
Here’s a tip – straight paths give a formal look, curved created intrigue and meandering are designed for a leisurely stroll. All depends on the look you want to achieve, and I’ve only just started the journey.
So, if you feel like you’re on a path to nowhere and it should be leading somewhere just remember life has many twists and turns into the unknown and if you stay on the straight and narrow you should get there in the end. Happy gardening
RECIPES FRM THE HEART
by Jean Jones
Chia
Bliss Balls
INGREDIENTS
½ cup overnight chia pudding
½ cup rolled oats
½ cup desiccated coconut
1 small mashed banana
1 to 2 tablespoons maple syrup
2 tablespoons choc chips
METHOD
1. Combine the ingredients in a bowl and mix well.
2. Roll into small balls and roll in coconut.
3. Chill before serving. Great for snacks. Yummy
Let’s talk about aged care
Let’s talk about aged care
Join Roslyn Smith, Department of Health and Aged Care for a free discussion on Commonwealth funded aged care services; what they are and how to find them.
Join Roslyn Smith, Department of Health and Aged Care for a free discussion on Commonwealth funded aged care services; what they are and how to find them.
Sue will talk participants through the range of aged care services, the assessment process and finding services that meet your needs.
Sue will talk participants through the range of aged care services, the assessment process and finding services that meet your needs.
She will also discuss some of the recent reforms in aged care and what quality care services look like.
She will also discuss some of the recent reforms in aged care and what quality care services look like.
Where: QEII Seniors Centre, 88 Durlacher Street, Geraldton
Where: QEII Seniors Centre, 88 Durlacher Street, Geraldton
We invite Australians to continue to have their say about the aged care reforms.
Visit agedcareengagement.health.gov.au
We invite Australians to continue to have their say about the aged care reforms.
Phone 1800 318 209 (Aged care reform free-call phone line)
For translating and interpreting services, call 131 450 and ask for 1800 318 209. To use the National Relay Service, visit nrschat.nrscall.gov.au/nrs to choose your preferred access point on their website, or call the NRS Helpdesk on 1800 555 660.
For translating and interpreting services, call 131 450 and ask for 1800 318 209.
To use the National Relay Service, visit nrschat.nrscall.gov.au/nrs to choose your preferred access point on their website, or call the NRS Helpdesk on 1800 555 660.
SAVE THE DATE Clothes Swap
Time for an Autumn cleanout
Declutter your wardrobe of clothes that are still in good condition, but you no longer wear because your style has changed or the item no longer fits. Stay for a free cuppa and make new friends.
Tuesday 17 June 9:30 to 11:30am
QEII Seniors & Community Centre
Clothes can be delivered to the Centre from Monday 9 June. Contact QEII Centre for further information on 9956 6636.
MONDAY TUESDAY 8.30 9.30 Pole Walking Free 9.00 10.30 10.00 11.30 Over 50’s Gentle Gym Free WEDNESDAY
11.30 12.30 Parkinson Support Group Free 12.30 4.00 Canasta Free 1.00 3.00 Table Tennis $5.00 *SAG 1.00 4.00 Scrabble Free
*Seniors Action Group *Seniors Action Group
7.00 8.00 Walk Group Free Meet at Two Foreshore 9.00 4.00 11.00 6.00 Pickle Ball Pickle Ball $5.00 $5.00 9.00 1.00 Understanding your hand held device $5.00 Appt only. 9.30 11.30 Dementia Carers Support Group Free 1st Tuesday of the month
