Above: Dorrie Norris and Bonnie Madigan help cut the cake at the Whirly Bird club’s first birthday.By Rebecca Fraser
PARTY poppers, lolly bags, cake, balloons and steamers were out in force last Thursday when the Whirly Bird day club celebrated its first birthday at the Dandenong RSL.
Every Thursday for the past year at least 45 people have attended the club, where they play games, watch films and make new friends.
Marj Smith, 73, of Dandenong is deputy coordinator of the program and said the best thing about the club was that it helped people get out and about instead of being cooped up at home.
“The club is especially good for men who are on their own as they can come along and have a good meal, talk to people and have a day out.
“We do things such as gentle exercise, mind games, quizzes, and also have guest speakers and entertainment and show films.
“A lot of people also come along and play games like 500, crib, dominoes and checkers together and we also have day trips to places like the Casino and the Peninsula,” she said.
Ms Smith said the program helped keep older people’s minds active and they were always looking for new volunteers to supervise the mind games.
The Dandenong Primary School choir performed at the birthday celebration and Dandenong RSL’s special project officer, John Wells congratulated the Whirly Bird club on their first year.
He also said fellow RSL member Adrian Smith was the key instigator of the Whirly Bird club and should be commended.
“I congratulate all involved in this wonderful club.
“It doesn’t matter who had the original concept or the idea; what matters is that you all made it happen.
Mr Wells said the RSL provided the venue and subsidised the club’s weekly lunches but the group was very selfsufficient and operated by themselves.
“The club provides a link between exservicemen and the wider community.
“It gets people out of the house, thinking, interacting and communicating and shows people that they may be old but they are not incompetent or useless.
“Old people don’t need charity; they have lived full lives and have a rich tapestry of life they can share.
“It’s great that this group gets them out and about,” he said.
Anyone interested in becoming a volunteer can contact Marj Smith on 9791 7895.
