Message from the Mathers House Coordinator
Living in the Flow of Joy
Living in the Flow of Joy to us is seeing the changes that happen to those who come to Mathers House to join in our wonderful community. We see the improvement in their physical, mental and social wellbeing that translate to their personal lives. Those who attend say they come here because it works for them, it makes them braver, stronger and view life with a more positive outlook.
Mathers House has had a great year with more and more people learning about the wonderful programs and activities that we provide and the wonderful lunches available in our café Monday to Friday.
Our aim is to inspire and encourage those who come in to focus on overcoming challenges and have belief in their abilities, taking action and being consistent. As the old saying goes: ‘We are what we repeatedly do’.
An example of this is one of our participants from the Tai Chi class told me that when she started coming here everything ached and she felt pretty low. A year later she is striding down the road like she did when she was in her twenties. What a rewarding and joyful result for her and us.
So, on that note, if you haven’t been here before, now is the time to take that first step – a new year is upon us and a good reason to work towards living in joy and good health.
– Denise
Community Grant Support
The City of Hobart offers a range of grants to support a broad range of community activities, creative programs and events. The grants on offer range from quick response grants of up to $1000 for community activities or events and in-kind event support (with a quick turn-around) through to large event grants with biannual and annual rounds. The City’s website has all of the information relating to each grant category, including timelines and guidelines https://www.hobartcity.com.au/ Services/Grants-and-funding
The grants team and staff from the Community Programs team are available to provide advice and assistance to you if there is a project that you would like to apply to be supported through a grant. Please telephone 62382711 or email fundingprogram@ hobartcity.com.au for any further information.
The City of Hobart also provides support to six community-led social support groups who assist community members in extreme need or who may be experiencing homelessness or housing stress through fee waivers to use Mathers and Criterion House. Fee waivers have been provided since 2018, with the support included as an ongoing action within the draft City for All Implementation Framework. The fee waivers need to be approved annually by the Council with the value of this support for this financial year being $21 168. The community groups receiving support in 2025-26 are: Circle of Love and Care; Dining with Friends; Food Not Bombs; Love Hobart; Mutual Aid Kitchen; and Pets in the Park.
Mathers House
Closure Dates
Friday 5 December
Mah Jong Community Challenge
Tuesday 16 December
Mathers House Volunteers Christmas Party
22 December – 5 January
Christmas/New Year Closure
26 January Australia Day
9 February Regatta Day
Mathers House Restaurant
Mathers House is open Monday to Friday from 9.30 am – 3 pm.
Our Snack Menu is available from 10 am –1.30 pm and a nutritional lunch is served from 12 – 1.30 pm.
Our weekly menu is posted on our Facebook page each Friday for the following week.
Community Program Spotlight
Mathers House is a place for seniors but we also provide a space for community organisations running outreach and support programs.
Friday films
Christmas Catch (2018)
1 hr 27 mins, rated PG
Detective Mackenzie Bennett is a smart and tough detective who loves Christmas. When she meets Carson Mills, he’s handsome, chivalrous and loves Christmas too. But when the FBI asks for her precinct’s help with a diamond theft she discovers that Carson is their lead suspect. When they send Mack in to investigate Carson up close, things get complicated.
Friday 19 December 2025, 1 pm
I Am Not Your Negro (2016) 1hr 33 mins, rated M
A transcendent documentary examining the life and work of literary iconoclast and gay icon James Baldwin. The Oscar-nominated I Am Not Your Negro is based on Baldwin’s unfinished manuscript Remember This House, a stirring, personal account of the lives and deaths of his friends and US Civil Rights Movement leaders Medgar Evers, Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr. Through these accounts, Baldwin’s considered yet razorsharp activism bears witness to the impact and legacy of race in America.
Friday 16 January 2026, 1 pm
Charlie Chaplin City Lights (1931)
1 hr 26 mins, rated G
A tramp falls in love with a beautiful blind flower girl. His on-and-off friendship with a wealthy man allows him to be the girl’s benefactor and suitor.
Friday 20 February 2026, 1 pm
Weekly activities What’s On
All information is correct at time of printing. For bookings call 6234 1441 or email mathersplace@hobartcity.com.au
Day Activity
Zumba Gold
Yoga
T’ai Chi for Beginners
Stronger for Longer
Mon
Tues
Wed
Thurs
Fri
IT Basics
Mahjong Monday
Five Crowns
Hobart Ukulele Group
Core, Balance & Stretch
T’ai Chi
Meditation & Sound Therapy
IT Basics
IT Basics
Line Dancing
Line Dancing
Knitting Group
Playing Our Part
Scrabble with Friends
Yoga
Play 60s Rock Songs
Broadway Boogie
Pilates
Serenity in the City
Mah Jong
Beginners Crochet
Quilting Class
Midcity School for Seniors
Art from Scratch
Description
Low intensity exercise
Uplifting morning Yoga
Improve your health and balance. Note: Class is with John on 12 January
Cardio, resistance and strength for all levels
One on one basic coaching
For experienced players
An easy fun card game
Any ability welcome, ukes available on request
Balance, stretch and lengthen
Improve health and wellbeing
Relieve stress and tension.
One on one basic coaching
One on one basic coaching
Fun low impact aerobics, any ability welcome
Please note new time for 2026
Casual group working on own projects
Develop your acting skills
Lunch (at own cost, from 12 pm) followed by friendly Scrabble
Uplifting afternoon Yoga
Bring your own instruments and gear
Low impact musical theatre
Great for your fitness journey
Guided meditation
Learn to play. 6 week course. 8 Jan – 19 Feb
Learn to crochet, enthusiasm & fun required!
Make a Kaleidoscope Quilt. No experience necessary
Popular Speakers program. Includes morning tea
Explore basic art techniques
LM = Lower Mathers, UM = Upper Mathers, CH = Criterion House
Discuss your monthly book over coffee Fri 5 Mah Jong Challenge Special Event
For experience players. Registration closed Nov 26
For men who enjoy knitting, crocket and craft Mon 8
Fun filled knowledge quiz with Paula & Francis Fri 12
Rock to the sounds of the 60s. First drink on us!
Thur 18 Learn to handmake Christmas Ornaments No experience necessary.
Thur 18 Coffee Walk
Fri 19 Lunch with the Augusta Singers
Meet at Royal Tasmanian Botanical Garden bottom carpark
Last restaurant lunch for the year with Carols from the Augusta Singers
Fri 19 Friday Films Christmas Catch
22 – 31 Dec
LM = Lower Mathers, UM = Upper Mathers, CH = Criterion House
The Inaugural Hobart City Mah Jong Community Challenge
When: Friday 5 Dec
Time: 9.30 am – 4 pm (including break for lunch).
Where: Upper Mathers
Tickets: $15 (includes mor ning tea, lunch and self-serve tea/coffee)
Bookings essential by Wednesday 26 November
The Breed
Hobart’s best rock ‘n’ roll band return for their last performance in 2025.
When: Friday 12 December
Time: 2 pm – 3.30 pm
Where: Upper Mathers
Tickets: $13 (includes a drink on arrival and nibbles)
Bookings essential
Handmade Christmas Ornaments
Create your own unique fabric ornaments in an afternoon workshop.
When: Thursday 18 December
Time: 1.30 pm – 4 pm
Where: Upper Mathers
Tickets: $15 for the session including all materials and tuition. Bookings essential
Lunch with the Augusta Singers
Our last lunch for 2025 filled with joyous carols from the Augusta Singers
When: Friday 19 December
Time: 12 pm – 1.30 pm
Where: Upper Mathers
Cost: Nor mal lunch prices
Thur 1
Fri 9
Mon 12
Thur 15
Meet outside Lindisfarne Yacht Club, walk around bay towards bridge & return Fri 16
Cafe Social group for those impacted by Dementia & memory loss
LM = Lower Mathers, UM = Upper Mathers, CH = Criterion House
New Quilt class starting in 2026
Tutor Sue thinks of this one as Kaleidoscope quilt. It will be made in individual hexagons each roughly 40 cm across. Each lesson you will be provided with the materials and instruction to create one of these blocks. You will then be able to join your blocks into a larger quilt of any size you wish. Sue will provide instruction for half blocks if you want to make a square or rectangle. No experience is necessary. Sue will provide all tools, fabric, thread and teach you how to cut using a template, how to hand stitch pieces together and how to layer, back, quilt and bind your blocks and then join them into a beautiful quilt.
When: 8 January – 26 March
Time: 2 pm – 4 pm
Where: Mathers House Dining
Cost: $10 per class
Starts Thursday 8 January and runs for 12 lessons (no class on Thursday 29 January).
A word from Annie on her new Meditation & Sound Therapy Class
“I’m a Remedial Massage Therapist with 25 years experience, Wellbeing Coach, Guided Meditation Teacher and Sound Therapist. My guided meditation and sound classes run for around 50 minutes. I guide everyone through a 20 – 25 minute meditation followed by 20 – 25 minutes of very soothing, relaxing sounds using various instruments to promote a deep state of relaxation. In this state our senses, mind and intellect can completely relax, let go and rest. It’s great for relieving stress and tension and is helpful for attaining positive mental health. No experience is necessary. You can lay on the floor, otherwise it can be done sitting up”
Learn Crochet with Granny Squares
When: Tuesdays from January 27
Time: 11.15 am - 12.05 pm
Where: Lower Mathers House
Cost: $10
If you would like to learn to crochet or just come along for some Granny square fun then this course is for you. All you need is enthusiasm and a 3.5 mm crochet hook and Sue will get you going with Granny Squares that you can join into a magnificent blanket, a funky vest or a exotic shopping bag. Sue will provide a big range of yarns to choose from to make your colourful squares and guide you through your crochet adventure.
When: 8 January – 27 March
Time: 10 am – 12 pm Cost: $10
Date Activity
Fri 6 IT Learning Club Special event
Fri 6 Book Club
Sun 8 Great Balls of Fibre
Mon 9
REGATTA DAY
Tue 10 Chinese New Year
Fri 13 WICKED CHOCOLATE LONG TABLE LUNCH
Mon 16 Quiz
Thur 19 Coffee Walk
Fri 20 IT Learning Club
Description
With Peter from Neighbourhood Watch, includes morning tea
Discuss your monthly book over coffee
For men who enjoy knitting, crocket and craft
CLOSED
Chinese inspired lunch menu
Themed lunch to celebrate Valentines Day Eve
Fun filled knowledge quiz with Paula & Francis
Meet outside C3 Church & walk Rivulet track
New IT Topic each fortnight
Fri 20 Friday Films Charlie Chaplin City Lights
Wed 25 Dementia Friendly Cafe
Social activity over morning tea for those affected by dementia and memory loss
LM = Lower Mathers, UM = Upper Mathers, CH = Criterion House
IT Learning Club Special Event
An insight into being safe online with Peter from Neighbourhood Watch, includes morning tea.
When: Friday 6 February 2026
Time: 10 am – 12 noon
Where: Mathers House Lower Cost: $2
Wicked Chocolate Long Table Lunch
A fabulous Long Table lunch to celebrate all things chocolate on Valentines Day Eve.
When: Friday 13 February 2026
Time: 12 noon – 1.30 pm
Where: Mathers House Dining Cost: $22
Bookings essential
Phone and Computer Support at Mathers House
Did you know Mathers House offers one on one support for your computing and phone queries.
Our fabulous volunteers Rosa, Richard and Gerald are available on Mondays and Tuesdays.
Bookings are essential so please call us on 62341441.
Please note sessions will finish on 16 December 2025 and resume 3 February 2026.
Great Balls of Fibre
Join a group of men who love to knit and craft on the first Sunday of every Month. It’s a lot of fun and being engaged in craft activities has a positive impact on your mental health. No bookings are required, just pop in at 1 pm.
Go digital and stay up to date with what’s on at Mathers House
Stay up to date by joining our email newsletter. You’ll receive a PDF of the program you can view on your device or print at home
Fill in the form at: hobartcity.com.au/ positive-ageing or email:
mathersplace@hobartcity.com.au
If you have already gone digital please let us know so we can remove you from the hard copy post list. The trees will thank you.
Every effort is made to ensure the information in this brochure is correct at the time of printing.
For information on additional events added throughout the season, changes to events or unscheduled class cancellations please follow us on Facebook.
Room bookings available for community groups, commercial groups and individuals. Visit hobartcity.com.au/venues
Opening hours: 9.30 am – 3 pm, Monday to Friday Mathers House Mathers Lane 108 – 110 Bathurst Street Hobart
