Social Activities Group news

A report by Dale Lynch Thanks to the efforts of John Ryall and SAG we had a great weekend at Fairbridge Village in May this year.

The Fairbridge Farm School was established in 1913 by Kingsley Fairbridge as a farm school for child migrant children sent out from the UK.

By the time it closed in 1981, it is believed over 3,000 children passed through the farm. The property is now owned by Alcoa but leased out and is now a home stay venue along with festivals and other events.

Fifteen of us arrived at Fairbridge on the Friday afternoon and we all stayed in one large cottage, which can sleep up to 24 people if needed.

After a great lunch some of us explored the farm while others worked getting the wood fires going before it got too cold.

The lovely Epe Ryall and a team of helpers prepared a Friday feast which we all enjoyed immensely. After the

14 clean-up, most of us adjourned to the large lounge room where the wood fire was blazing and we watched the movie Bohemian Rhapsody, while others talked and played games in the dining room.

Saturday activities included a visit to Pinjarra for shopping, the tea rooms and the museum, and in the afternoon we were given a great tour of the village by Derek Smith and Graham Bennett.

Derek and Graham are former child migrants who lived at Fairbridge in the 1950’s and 60’s, and both are Committee Members of the Old Fairbridgians Association (WA).

Their stories of their childhood experiences at the farm were not only immensely informative, interesting and real, but funny and entertaining as well. They kept us thoroughly enthralled.

The weekend was a great success and I’m looking forward to our next stay there.

The photo above shows members of our group with Graham and Derek during the guided tour of Fairbridge.

An update from SAG Chairperson John Ryall Don’t miss our next outing on Thursday 5th September, 2019 – we’re taking a bus trip to Lake Leschenaultia for a special BBQ lunch, and calling in at the Wheelchairs for Kids workshop for a guided tour on the way. Thank you all who helped make the Fairbridge weekend away in May such a resounding success – everyone had a great time. We are planning another trip in warmer weather so we can make use of the swimming pool!

SAG has a healthy bank balance, which is mostly the result of the Bunnings sausage sizzle fundraisers. The next sizzle is at Bunnings O’Connor on Saturday 14th September. If you want to help out, please contact John Ryall on 0448-074-536 or email johnryall@iinet.net.au

The next SAG meeting is at Tuart Place at 12.45pm on Monday 16th September, so come along as we welcome your suggestions on things you want to happen.

Remember this is your place to come and relax and enjoy what’s on offer.

Thanks to everyone who helped at the last fundraiser at Bunnings in March 2019, and many thanks to Tony Galati for continuing to donate the onions for our sausage sizzles.

The annual Have a Go Day is WA’s largest single event for the over-55s and is always a fun day out.

It is a free seniors’ event and has been run by the Seniors Recreation Council of WA since it started in 1992. Old Fairbridgian Graham Bennett is Vice President of the Seniors Recreation Council of WA, which organises the Have a Go Day and other events.

Graham and OFA President Derek Smith welcomed members of the Tuart Place Social Activities Group to Fairbridge during their weekend stay in May, and provided a great tour of the property.

The Tuart Place Social Activities Group is planning a group outing to Have a Go Day 2019. To find out more, contact SAG Chairperson John Ryall (contact details above) or Tuart Place Program Coordinator Jo Hocking on 6140-2380.