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AUGUST 2018

Groupie Gossip

LIFE ACTIVITIES CLUB CROYDON

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President’s Message - Shirley Driscoll. 9720 5835

Greetings to all Members,

Our membership continues to grow at a slow but steady pace and we now have about 147 members who are enjoying our various activities. I’m wondering whether

we’re catering satisfactorily for all members, or whether anyone would like to participate in a different activity. If so, you could speak with one of the committee who would be only too happy to follow it up – we’re always open to trying something new!

I hope that all members who attended last month’s meeting enjoyed the quiz that Alan was kind enough to compile. I know that I found it fun and not too hard.

At this month’s meeting we are having one of our newest members, Murray Scott, standing up to tell us about his experiences on various forms of cycling (which include penny-farthing and scooter). We won’t need to be cyclists ourselves to enjoy that.

Kind Regards, Shirley

Membership enquiries: Email us at croydon@life.org.au, or phone Anne or Edith.

Life Activities Club Croydon Inc, PO Box 185, Croydon, Vic 3136: Reg No.A0014068E. Website: www.life.org.au/croydon

Printed courtesy of David Hodgett MP (Member for Croydon)

Calendar... August 2018

DATE DAY ACTIVITY

1 Wed Rummeking Cycling Social Dancing

2 Thu Golf Monthly Club Night - 7.30pm Dorset Gardens Hotel, Croydon

6 Mon Cards – ‘500’

7 Tue Karralyka (pre-booked) Pool Meet for Coffee, Wyreena

8 Wed Cycling Social Dancing Scrabble

9 Thu Golf Mah Jong

10 Fri Men’s B&B lunch 11 Sat Social Walking – Lilydale Lake 14 Tue

Snooker Out & About – Ambulance Mus.

15 Wed Cycling Social Dancing

16 Thu Golf 19 Sun Dine Out – York on Lilydale

20 Mon Music Appreciation Cards – ‘500’

22 Wed Cycling Social Dancing

23 Thu Golf 24 Fri Armchair Travel 28 Tue Cards – ‘Crazy Whist’

29 Wed

Cycling Social Dancing Morning Melodies: Dorset Gdns Newsletter copy deadline: send to: editor99@optusnet.com.au

30 Thu Golf Mon 3 Sept Cards – ‘500’ Thu 6 Sept Monthly Club Night

Your Committee – ready to hear your ideas... Shirley Driscoll (president, 9720 5835); Jim Dixon (vice president, 0447 734 945), Anne Hamilton (secretary, 0408 382 608), Tricia Kristensen (treasurer, 0425 725 659), Edith Martin (membership, 9725 1578), Marion Renn (minute secretary), Alan Matthews (newsletter editor), and Judith Cleary.

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What’s hot...

Membership Matters (Edith 9725 1578) Welcome to new members:

Maria Barker, Gary Caulfield, and Brian Robinson.

Happy Birthday in August to:

Frances Geisler 2nd

, Svend Kristensen 8th

, Eve Jondahl 14th

, Joan Sweet 18th

,

Jean Dartnell, Lyn Johnston, Mary Sykes and Peter Verhoef – all on the 21st,

Gerlinde Duss 22nd

, Allan Dalzell, Alan Lees and Leonard Pearsell – all on the 25th,

Anne Hamilton 27th

, and Vic Mitchell 30th

.

August Wedding Anniversary Congratulations to:

Ian Thomlinson on the 18th

, Lyn Johnston on the 21st, and Helen Iles on the 26

th

Well-being matters We hear that President Shirley’s run of bad luck now includes a bad bout of flu...Hang in there, girl!

It’s Your Club A copy of the minutes of our July general meeting and various notices of interest will be on

display at our August Club night.

Activities...

CYCLING– John S. 9725 0670 I hope many club members are enjoying the magnificent scenery

and the amazing skills of the riders in this year’s Tour de France.

Back home, the Croydon peloton has experienced cold and dry

riding conditions each Wednesday this month to date.

We have missed several riders due to knee operations, family

duties etc - which has left five stalwarts on our trail to Alchester

Village where we enjoy good coffee and good chat at the "Koko Lime "cafe.

If you are interested in joining us.........

Meet at car park back of Croydon Leisure Centre (nearest the park/oval):

Any Wednesday at 8-50am

Distance: 20kms return

Contact John, 9725 0670.

MUSIC APPRECIATION- Joyce & Daryl 9735 2551 The July Music by Alan M. was an excellent variety of comedy, music from Amici In Concert,

and many others. Afternoon tea was very nice too. The main feature was the movie of Andrew

Lloyd Webber's Phantom of the Opera.

Our next Music will be on Monday August 20th

at 1.30pm at the home of Shirley and Steve

Driscoll (ph.9720 5835).

SOCIAL WALKING – Jenny (9879 8334) Our July walk was at Blackburn Lake which the six of us really enjoyed. The weather

was cool but fine. Followed by coffee and scones at a local french cafe where the

atmosphere is very friendly.

Our next walk on Saturday August 11th will be at Lilydale Lake. We’ll meet as usual at Devon Street car park, Croydon at 11am for car pooling. Come and join us - new walkers are always welcome.

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OUT and ABOUT - Edith 9725 1578

Join us at the ‘AMBULANCE MUSEUM’ on 1/55 Barry

Street, Bayswater at 10:00am on Tuesday 14th

August.

The Ambulance Museum was formed more than 30 years ago

by serving and retired ambulance officers. You can see its

amazing collection of 18 vehicles and a large collection of old

medical equipment, uniforms, memorabilia, posters and

documents from the past. There are over 3,000 items in the

museum.

Museum curator, Chas Martin will provide a tour and a cuppa ($5 donation)

around the Museum. Please let me know if you need a lift and we’ll endeavour to

accommodate you, rather than miss out. Bring a friend along as all are welcome.

- Edith

CASTLEMAINE & MALDON: OUT & ABOUT UNIQUE TRAIN TRIP

Report on our SUNDAY, JULY 22nd

… by Edith Martin

Despite our need to rise so early on this chilly morning, we coped admirably with Rail work interruptions

that required additional time for the train-to-bus substitution between Ringwood and Camberwell. Edith

sighed with relief that we met our travel connections, and managed to stay awake and thoroughly enjoy

an interesting - although long - day’s outing.

From Southern Cross station we rode in country train comfort: arrivimg in Castlemaine where our

cravings for a hot cuppa found our 12 ladies, along with Haydn ‘the brave’, plodding off to find a Café

somewhere in the Main Street. Solid old Castlemaine Stone buildings stand proudly, with plaques

attached noting their 19th

century origins in this historic town. On arrival back at the station, our ‘Intrepid

Thirteen’ were welcomed to board the awaiting Victorian Goldfields Railway steam train to Maldon.

We quickly settled in to enjoy a touch of class in First Class comfort aboard this smoke-billowing,

vintage steam train: the experience providing a step back in time, to an era of elegance and decadence

evident in the restored classic carriages. We noted the

unique atmosphere, created with Edwardian elegance in

the parlour car and with art deco sophistication in the

Pullman club car. With the option of purchasing a

drink or snack at the fully equipped bar and Steward

service, we could appreciate the experience of Golden

Age rail travel, when the journey was as important as

the destination.

After a relaxing hour, we arrived at Maldon and

were met by the Goldfields Railway shuttle bus and

driven into town where, despite the chill, we wandered

leisurely under blue skies and bright sunshine. “This quaint town has retained an authentic pioneer-like

appearance with history of the gold-mining era being preserved. Maldon was declared Australia’s First

Notable Town in 1966 by the National Trust of Australia.” It was an unhurried time to explore the

interesting shops, then meet up to sit together enjoying the warm sun and calming surrounds, whilst

waiting for the shuttle bus to take us back to the train.

Although we were a tired crew by the time we reached home via various trains, bus and cars, we all

agreed that it had been a very happy excursion, one that we could recommend.

MORNING CHAT at WYREENA – Edith 9725 1578 or Shirley 9720 5835 Tuesday August 7

th at 10.30am.

Visitors and members are very welcome to this friendly get-together at Conservatory Cafe,

13-23 Hull Rd, Croydon (ph: 9725 0992).. It’s a popular spot so reservations are essential

for our group.

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GOLF– Peter G. (9722 1037) & Marion (9725 0740) Hello Golfers,

During July it has been only those golf diehards who have not succumbed to either the cold

or operations or illness or trips up north; these intrepid golfers have donned many outer

garments and battled the elements. Surprisingly, rain has not been the predominant

oppressor - but the cold and wind have caused the clubhouse to just about exhaust its

supplies of hand-warmers!

It is good to see that, despite the less than perfect conditions, scoring has stayed within reasonable limits

with some good results recorded.

Each week we have been happily welcoming to our post-game coffee time many of the abovementioned

missing golfers: hopefully, most of those will be playing with us again soon. It was great to welcome

Alan M. back after recovery from his knee operation, and we have the feeling that Carmen D. won’t be

long in joining us as well. Don C. returned from his boat-building activities, also Don F, who is

recovering well from his knee operation.

Cheers, Marion & Peter (co-Cordinators) MAH JONG – Anne 0408 382 608

It’ll be on again in the Glenn Frost room behind Croydon library. When? - on Thursday

August 9th

at 1.30pm.

We use the straightforward Hong Kong rules – beginners are welcome to try it out.

CARDS – Gwen (0400 507 638) & Maxine (9735 4719) ‘500’– It is pleasing to see so many regular players turning up, despite the cold, wet nights.

Dates for August are Monday 6th

and Monday 20th

, at 7.30pm in the Glenn Frost room,

behind the Croydon library; then Monday September 3rd

.

‘Crazy Whist’ – Next session will be on Tuesday August 28th

, 1.30-4.30pm, also in the

Glenn Frost room. ...Gwen & Maxine

SCRABBLE – Pat The Scrabblers’ meeting in July was a good one, with Morris bringing along Tony again.

We also welcomed a new player Maria, who said she hadn’t played for years...and then won

the first game – “Beginner’s luck!” she said. Maria, we hope to see you again at the next

game, which will be on Wednesday September 12th

at 1.30pm.

Note that there will be no meeting in August, because all our regulars will be away in

warmer places! Cheers, Pat

SNOOKER– Steve 9720 5835 Hi Snooker Buffs,

This month’s games between Peter and Steve was a first for us: Peter won four

games straight on the black! Any new players would be welcome.

The next Snooker will be on Tuesday August 14th

at 1.30pm.

POOL– Steve 9720 5835Game 1: Louise & Brian vs Steve & Bruce who went on to win a thriller of a game.

Game 2: Went the same way as the previous game.

Game 3: Louise & Brian vs Steve & Bruce. This last game was the best: Bruce had the

game at his mercy until...he potted the black - then went in off, thus giving Brian & Louise

the game.

The next Pool session will be on Tuesday August 7th

at 1.30pm.

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ARMCHAIR TRAVEL – Shirley 9720 5835 You are welcome to join us to view

interesting travel documentaries -

with a break for refreshments -

on Friday August 24th

at 1.30pm.

SOCIAL DANCING – Peter 9722 1037 It’s still on - Wednesdays at Croydon’s

Viva La Dance.

Give me a ring if you’d like to try it out.

- Peter

COMMUNITY ACTION – Malcolm 9736 3693

Apparently the bad guys have gone

to ground for the winter, so our

letterbox services are currently not

needed!

BLOKES’ B&B - Jim 0447 734 945 Our next men’s Beer and Banter lunch:

Friday August 10th

– 12 noon at the

Kilsyth Club, in the West Wing,

cnr Canterbury & Colchester Roads,

Bayswater North (ph.9761 4133).

DORSET GARDENS MORNING MELODIES– Edith 9725 1578

Join our table of happy music lovers on Wednesday August 29th

at 10.30am, in

the Dorset Samara Room, for the:

“DIANA ROSS & SOUL MUSIC SHOW (from the UK)”.

Pay $12 each on entry to Dorset Gardens - includes venue voucher, tea/coffee,

muffins, scones, jam and cream served at the table.

Please reserve your place, as booking of our table is necessary. This is an

inexpensive morning’s entertainment in convivial company and friends are very

welcome to join us.

KARRALYKA MORNING MUSIC - Norma 9727 0756

Tuesday September 11th

at 10.30am: Opera to Broadway

Take five of Australia’s most talented performers: two sopranos, a tenor,

a baritone, and a talented young pianist - Opera to Broadway.

The morning music show invites you to tea and coffee with delicious treats

from 9.45am (45 minutes before show time).

Pay ($21) for this September performance at the August club meeting.

SUNDAY DINE OUT – Edith 9725 1578 Our monthly conversational lunch group will revisit ‘York on Lilydale’ on

Sunday, August 19th

at 12 noon. Located at Corner York & Swansea Roads.

Mt Evelyn (phone: 9735 4000). They have a comprehensive menu including

Seniors options. Seniors’ menu includes the Graziers Special at $16 for any beef

eaters among us.

Please note names on the reservation list on Club meeting night, or ring me as soon

as possible to add or delete your booking. Friends are very welcome to join us.

- Edith

AFTERNOON RUMMEKING - Marianne 9723 5088 After our one-month break, we’ll meet for Rummeking on Wednesday August 1

st.

The weather is still a bit chilly, but let’s hope that our tile playing skills are hot.

- Marianne

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A COUNCIL NOTICE: Wiser Walker, Wiser Traveller Three 2-hour sessions will provide information on a wide range of transport options and support

services to promote older people remaining mobile, travelling confidently and safely and staying

connected to the community.

Accessing everyday activities and being part of the wider community is a key part of our well–being and

social connectedness. If the car is not an option, quality of life can be considerably reduced - we need to

be confident accessing a wide variety of viable transport alternatives.

It is important that older drivers build up a bank of knowledge about travel alternatives long before there

is a need to cease driving, to maintain mobility, and minimise the stress and other negative factors

associated with important life changes.

Shared Life Activity Club Activity Notice

Knox LAC have booked a Melbourne to Canberra Coach Tour 5 days – 4 nights *865pp/twin-share.

“EXPLORING OUR Nation’s Capital” - Only 8 seats left at this special price!

Departing Monday, October 22, 2018, Returning Friday, October 26th

, 2018

This five-day tour travels direct to Canberra along the Hume Highway via Wangaratta-Albury/Wodonga

– Holbrook – Gundagai and Yass, staying four nights at ‘Ibis Styles Canberra’, 4-star motel style located

in quiet, leafy suburb of Narrabundah. Full buffet style hot & cold breakfasts served each morning and

delicious 2-course dinners served each evening in hotel licensed restaurant. All admissions and

sightseeing as per itinerary available from Knox LAC coordinator.

For further information please contact Lorraine & Frank Van Vloten, Ph: 9724 8792

The course covers: • Getting around without a car

• Safe use of public transport and using Myki with

confidence • Tips for taxi use

• Community transport and support services

• Travel planning and discounted travel passes

• Practical outing using public transport

• Customised to the transport options in your local area

• Promotes health benefits of continuous exercise and

social interaction • Travel safely and confidently in your community

Fridays, 10, 17 and 24 August (3 weeks) 10am – 12pm

Venue: REALM, 179 Maroondah Highway, Ringwood

Bookings: Yarrunga Community Centre, ph 9722 8942 or info@yarrunga.org.au

Cost - Free

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