It is a proud moment for all of us as we celebrate 50 Years of community service. The success of our organisation goes to our members who continue to believe in what we provide to the community. Our current Board continues to be passionate about growing this organisation and reaching out to more senior Victorians. We are currently establishing Life Activities Club Melton. The Board also continues to provide support to existing LACs and made various visits to Clubs.

This Summer Edition of our Life News Magazine continues the theme of Celebrations whereby we highlight Celebration Day at Seniors Festival, celebrating outstanding older Victorians, Clubs celebrating their milestones, and celebrating some of our wonderful members. Staying socially active and engaged is vital to lead a happy and healthy life by maintaining connections and participating in activities. Because, 'Life’s Better Together'TM

Celebrating 50 years of service to our senior community, inspiring people to enjoy life as they age.

The Life Activities Clubs Victoria Inc. (LACVI) core is based on the meaningful connections of its members through the activities they participate in, keeping them engaged, and having fun, while alleviating loneliness and isolation.

The foundations of this organisation began with the Early Planning and Retirement Association (EPRA). They focused on activity groups and friendships. This morphed into the Life Planning Foundation of Australia and the budding Life Activities Clubs, with a membership of thousands across Victoria.

The volunteers on the Board worked tirelessly to keep the organisation running with their vital and unrelenting efforts. When the organisation reformed and rebranded under its current name Life Activities Clubs Victoria, which truly reflects exactly what we are today, there was a really big role to increase our visibility within the community and governments. After finding office accommodation and acquiring government funding, LACVI undertook a major branding and tagline upgrade and were eventually able to employ a part time office assistant.

Being a member-based organisation, club support and development is always high on the agenda which includes establishing new clubs and supporting existing clubs.

LACVI will be an ever-present catalyst for change and innovation, with the current board holding the same passion as it’s past cohorts. There are no age limits in forming new friendships and learning new things. The social connections made later in life can be some of the most meaningful and fulfilling ones. Staying socially active and engaged is vital to lead a happy and healthy life.

In November 2024 LACVI celebrated its past achievements as it looked forward to the future. The afternoon featured speeches from President Alex Sy with his clear, impassioned message. One of our founding members Heather Wheat who recounted an honest and inspiring history. Gerard Mansours words, a continuing unflinching advocacy for older Australians, and Carol O’Halloran with her professional and passionate energy in promoting Life Activities Clubs who then showcased our new promotional video.

Thank you to everyone who attended, current and past Board members, club committees and members and special guests, including Silvana Cavalli from the Dept of Families, Fairness and Housing.

We look forward to continuing the legacy that is Life Activities Clubs Victoria Inc because ‘Life’s better together’TM

More photos can be found here: www.life.org.au/news/celebrating-50-years-of-friendship 

The LACVI Board has been working with Darren Cunningham, the Positive Ageing Officer at the Melton Council with a view to form a new club to service the wider Melton council region.

In September a public meeting was held to gauge the interest and from that meeting a Sunday Games Afternoon was set up. Darren kindly booked a Council facility until the end of December.

A roster of Board members was established and these afternoons have been running since. Can I thank all those who have driven to Melton to assist and work with a lovely group of community members playing cards, Rummikub, Monopoly, draughts etc. A special mention to Robert Peters from Moonee Valley LAC who has attended nearly every Sunday afternoon, Robert is a wonderful advocate for LACVI.

Once we have enough committed people to move to the next stage, Robert, Board Member Jenny Visvalingam and Rebecca Luxford from Yarraville [an ex Board Member and great advocate] will start the official process of helping launch a new club, with all that entails. Exciting times ahead.

IMLAC 21st Birthday celebration.

A 21st at any age is something great to celebrate. That is what IMLAC did on the 29th October 2024, exactly 21 years from the launch at the Supper Room, Melbourne Town Hall, in 2003.

Thirty five current and former members joined in a lunch at the Mail Exchange Hotel in the CBD. Five inaugural members attended and were presented with “21st” badges by the President.

LACVI President Alex Sy was invited to speak and at his conclusion presented IMLAC with a framed copy of IMLAC’s launch announcement in Life News magazine 2003.

All committee members contributed – Deb presented greetings and best wishes from those unable to attend. Chooi managed the distribution of the balloon table decorations, Lyn lit and extinguished the candles, Sue, John and Margot cut the cake. Party games were enjoyed by all.

Debbie had high lights and low lights of 2003. Aileen and John, both inaugural members, spoke of the beginning of IMLAC and Carmel an inaugural, spoke of her connection to IMLAC. Three current members, Eileen, Tugo and Denyse all spoke about what they were doing in 2003 in response to the President telling what she had been up to.

The lunch was a huge success and the President thanked everyone for attending and being involved in the celebration. 'Life’s better together'TM

We all know that exercise is great for our bodies – it can help us become fitter, stronger and generally healthier. But did you know that there is a relationship between exercise and brain health where it can also improve your brain power? There is a growing body of evidence that indicates regular exercise not only improves cognitive function, but also helps safeguard us against conditions such as dementia and age-related cognitive decline.

Avoid a sedentary lifestyle

Research shows that people who spend between three and 15 hours a day sitting typically have less brain volume in the area that is associated with memory and thinking (called the Hippocampus). In many ways prolonged sitting can be likened to smoking in terms of the negative impact on our health.

Exercise for brain power

Exercise is thought to benefit our brain health for a number of reasons. We know that the brain requires a constant supply of oxygen and nutrients in order to function effectively. Exercise is a great way of effectively ‘feeding’ the blood vessels in our brain with nutrient-rich blood due to the effects it has on circulation.

Some other benefits include:

Lowers your risk of dementia – regular physical activity at all stages of life has been shown to lower your risk of dementia and slow the process of cognitive decline that occurs as we age. In fact, there is strong correlations between someone’s cardiorespiratory fitness and their ability to carry out cognitive tasks.

Enhances memory – we know that our memory can become a bit more foggy as we get older! Exercise has been shown to help boost our memory through helping preserve our existing brain cells, as well as promoting growth of new brain cells in areas of the brain that we use for memory.

Helps with learning – research has shown that exercising after learning something new can help you retain this new information or skill in your long-term memory.

Boosts your mood – exercise is also effective in boosting the amount of “feel good” hormones that are released by our brain such as endorphins, dopamine and serotonin. This not only leaves you feeling great, it can also help in managing the symptoms of depression and anxiety.

What exercise is best for brain health?

Essentially any form of exercise that is good for your heart, will also benefit your brain!

• Aerobic exercise such as brisk walking, jogging, cycling and swimming are great for brain and heart health.
• Try and exercise at an intensity that is somewhat challenging (moderate) or enough to elevate your breathing rate slightly. This has been shown to offer more benefits in terms of our health.

Ready, Set, Go Let’s Move is a workshop designed to empower you to take the first step in making exercise a part of your routine. This session lasts 3 hours and you will learn about the positive effects exercise can have on blood glucose levels and have assistance in identifying what could be stopping you from being more active.

Following attendance at this workshop, many people choose to then attend the BEAT IT exercise program. Held twice a week for one-hour and involve moderate intensity aerobic, strength and balance based exercises as well as education sessions on healthy living topics.

If you are interested in joining one of our upcoming programs please visit the Diabetes Australia website www.diabetesaustralia.com.au/education-and-events/ or call us on 1800 177 055.

Article by Diabetes Australia diabetesaustralia.com.au

Genomic medicine and its importance to you and your family health

Genomic medicine is a rapidly emerging field that uses information from your DNA—the unique code that makes each of us who we are—to diagnose, treat, and prevent disease. It is already improving outcomes for many Australians, particularly in cancer diagnosis and treatment, as well as in identifying conditions caused by genetic changes. Over the next decade, this field is poised to transform nearly every aspect of healthcare.

Right now, many multicultural Australian communities—especially those commonly left out of medical research—are entirely missing from, or critically underrepresented in, databases of DNA. This means millions of Australians are on track to miss out on the health benefits that advances in genomic medicine will bring. 

The Centre for Population Genomics, a joint initiative of the Garvan Institute of Medical Research in Sydney and Murdoch Children’s Research Institute in Melbourne, is leading a new program, OurDNA, which is working to ensure all Australians are represented.

“For genomic medicine to be effective for everyone, we need to ensure that all Australians are represented in genomics research,” says Professor Daniel MacArthur, director of the Centre for Population Genomics.

Genomic medicine is underpinned by understanding natural genetic differences, or variations, found in people across the population. Yet, research has largely overlooked many communities, such as those with East African, Middle Eastern, North African, Oceanian, Southeast Asian, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ancestry. 

“Australia is home to one of the most diverse populations in the world, yet the representation of many Australian communities in global genetic research has been shockingly low,” said Professor MacArthur. “By changing this, the OurDNA program has the potential to transform the way we diagnose and treat genetic diseases for everyone.”

The team behind OurDNA partners with community leaders and stakeholders to engage underrepresented communities in the Program. The ambitious initiative will collect genetic data from over 10,000 Australians from diverse, multicultural backgrounds. By including people from all ancestries in OurDNA, the goal is to build a resource that supports better disease prediction, diagnostic tools, and treatments and ensure these advances are available to future generations, no matter their background. 

To learn more, visit www.populationgenomics.org.au www.ourdna.org.au

Social media: Facebook, Instagram, X

Written by Chris Richards, OurDNA Program Lead.

“Mum, would you like to come on a one way flight with me?”

“Umm, how will we get home? Bus, train, car?  Sure I’ll go with you.”

Then the penny dropped A SKYDIVE!!  My answer didn’t change.

Meanwhile John’s granddaughter issued a similar invitation to him.

We are ready to book and my son has changed his mind. He has watched too much YouTube.

So we book for three.

First date – cancelled at last minute due to appalling weather.

Second date – cancelled due to high winds.

Note to self, check weather forecast before booking.

Third time lucky.  Up, up and away 12,000 feet over St Kilda; we are out of the plane.

Happy Landings!!

A new activity for IMLAC members????

Written by Margot Johnson and John Smith

After a brief stint in hospital in May this year, I found the staff had made assumptions about me based on my age and injuries without asking me for a history of the accident which put me into their care. It got me thinking about assumptions we make at times about all sort of things in our lives.

Cambridge Dictionary: Assumption: a thing that is accepted as true or as certain to happen, without proof. For example, people might make the assumption that you’re a nerd if you wear glasses, even though that’s not true. People tend to make assumptions about you when you have a disability.

The quote “assumption is the mother of all mistakes” is attributed to Eugene Lewis Fordsworthe, a political scientist. However, Fordsworthe later said that his original philosophy was flawed, and that assumptions can sometimes be beneficial. 

Merriam – Webster defines Assume: Assumptions can disrupt communication. When we assume something, sometimes our minds are already made up before knowing the details. Assumptions can also lead to expectations, which can lead to disappointment, which can leave us feeling bad.

Miscommunication and misunderstanding: Assumptions often play a role in communication breakdowns. If people assume that others understand their intentions, it can lead to confusion and conflict when those assumptions are incorrect. This can strain relationships, both personal and professional.

Each of us makes assumptions in our relationships. These assumptions might originate from outside sources, like the media and our family and friends, which “have been taken out of context, misread or blown out of proportion,” said Ashley Thorn, a licensed marriage and family therapist in Salt Lake City, Utah.

How to overcome the bias of assumptions: Your assumptions are your windows on the world. Scrub them off every once in a while, or the light won’t come in. You may stick to your conviction, but be ready to abandon your assumptions. Ask questions; don’t make assumptions.

Written by Kath Frowen, LACVI Board

Fifteen outstanding older Victorians have been recognised through the 2024 Victorian Senior of the Year Awards. 

For more than 30 years, these important awards have celebrated the community contributions of older Victorians. 

The awards ceremony took place at Government House on Thursday 24 October 2024. Premier Jacinta Allan and Ingrid Stitt MP, Minister for Ageing joined the Lieutenant-Governor of Victoria, Professor James Angus AO, to present the awards.  

The awards ceremony is a highlight of the annual Victorian Seniors Festival.

The month-long celebration features free and low-cost events for older Victorians. 

This year’s award recipients showcase the diverse ways older Victorians strengthen our state. Their skills, time and energy make a difference across Victoria, including:  

• Hands-on support with meals, transport and social connection 
• Advocacy for veterans and multicultural communities 
• The prevention of family violence. 

Congratulations to all nominees and award recipients. Read more about the 2024 award recipients on Seniors Online. 

This years Celebration Day at Federation Square did not disappoint.

The theme this year was ‘Explore. Engage. Evolve.’ – encouraging older Victorians to stay curious and connected by exploring new activities, meeting new people, and changing how we think of ageing.

Our marquee was set up opposite the Riverside stage. We had so many people talking to us through the day enquiring about the activities that we do and where they can find a club. Along with our promotional bags, we handed out our activities guide and clubs flyers. One lucky person won a $100 Coles voucher from guessing how many jelly beans were in the jar. 

It’s always such a pleasure taking part in the festivities of this special day. Such great energy shared by everyone.

It was great to see Silvana and Bek from DFFH who dropped by at our marquee along with members from our Clubs. 

Big thank you to Rob, Tim, Tugo, Alex, Sue and Deb for bringing their smiles, enthusiasm and most importantly their knowledge. Thanks goes out to the clubs for getting their activities and flyers organised. It’s important that we showcase all the amazing things our clubs get up to as there really is something for everyone.

LACVI was given the opportunity to be showcased at the Edge.

President Alex Sy gave a speech about the activities that are on offer in all our Life Activities Clubs across Melbourne and Regional Victoria.

He also had a Q&A from the MC, Carol O’Halloran and we played our new promotional video to finish off. It was a proud moment for our organisation.

Our members are the bedrock of our organisation and we are proud to get out there and support them when we can. 

The Seniors’ festival runs from 1-31st October every year in Victoria with over 2,000 events. Many of our clubs run activities in their local areas during this time. It truly is a time to celebrate as 'Life’s better together'TM

Sunday 6th of October we presented a guided walk from LACVI marquee on the Riverwalk across Princes Bridge, through The Queen Victoria Gardens finishing up at The Tan.

The Queen Victoria Gardens are Melbourne’s memorial to Queen Victoria, set on 4.8 hectares opposite the Victorian Arts Centre. Most people go to the Botanic Gardens so these were a surprise to our walkers.

These Gardens are home to a memorial to Queen Victoria and King Edward VII, the beautiful Janet Lady Clarke Rotunda which is a testament to the socialite and philanthropist who helped establish Emily McPherson College and Janet Clarke Hall at Trinity College. Everyone loved the Pioneer Women’s Memorial garden which honours the contribution of women settlers in the development of the State of Victoria. The Temple of the Winds, a memorial to Victorian Governor Charles La Trobe, based on the golden ages of Ancient Rome looks down over the gardens.

We had a beautiful Melbourne day and all the walkers learnt and saw new sights.

Written by Sue Van Gerrevink, LACVI Secretary.

Wednesday 9th of October we presented a walk around the Spring Street end of town. Starting at Parliament Station, down through the famous Madame Brussells Lane to historical sites and grand new buildings.

This walk was hugely popular with over 80 walkers, including the usual Ballarat Crew. We walked past The Australasian College of Surgeons built in 1854, a plaque of the old Scotch College site, the new Australian Unity Building built on the site of the old Elms Hotel. Highlights included the Little Lon Distilling Co, a heritage cottage which once housed sex workers and bootleg grog. This area was also the hub of Chinese cabinet making industry. We passed the new Wesley Church Development which incorporates the old and the new, the Queen Victoria Women’s Centre, several of our walkers were actually born at the former Queen Victoria Hospital. We passed the Chinese Museum, Her Majesty’s Theatre, the Comedy Theatre and finished up back at Casselden Place which has an extensive display of glasses, dishes, cups etc. from the original diggings. Once again our walkers had no idea these displays were there.

The walk finished at Madame Brussels Lane where there are more displays of artifacts from the 1800s.

Can I thank the Ballarat Crew who come down each year now for the walk on the Wednesday, Rebecca Luxford, Robert Peters, John Smith and Margot Johnson for assisting with the walks.

Written by Sue Van Gerrevink, LACVI Secretary.

Growing Older

Lord, You know better than I myself
that I am growing older and will someday be old.
Keep me from the fatal habit of thinking
I must say something on every subject and on every occasion.

Release me from craving to
straighten out everybody’s affairs.
Make me thoughtful but not moody;
helpful but not bossy.

With my vast store of wisdom,
it seems a pity not to use it all;
but You know, Lord,
that I want a few friends at the end.
Keep my mind free from the recital of endless details;
give me wings to get to the point.

Seal my lips on my aches and pains;
they are increasing, and love of rehearsing them
is becoming sweeter as the years go by.

I dare not ask for improved memory,
but for a growing humility and a lessening cocksureness
when my memory seems to clash with the memories of others.
Teach me the glorious lesson that occasionally I may be mistaken.

Keep me reasonably sweet, for a sour old person
is one of the crowning works of the devil.
Give me the ability to see good things in unexpected places
and talents in unexpected people;
and give, O Lord, the grace to tell them so. Amen.

Ian Jackson – Waverley

Waverley LAC is fortunate to have Ian Jackson in our club. He joined WLAC on 23rd January 2001 and is enthusiastic, versatile and loves contributing to our club. 

He initially took on the role of Membership Secretary (2002 – 2011, 2012-2013) and that was just the beginning. Since then, he has held the positions of President (2011 to 2013, 2017), LACVI Representative (2011-2013), Convenor of the 20th Anniversary Celebration Committee (2012), Website Administrator (2014), Newsletter Editor (2015) and Secretary (2022-23). 

Since 2003 to now, he is the convenor of the Armchair Travel group. He is also a living encyclopedia of our club.

Kev Custerson - Brighton Bayside

Kev joined BBLAC 10 years ago and immediately became a very active member. Joining the committee in 2022, he took on the role of Convenor Coordinator, ensuring that all activities run smoothly and members are enjoying themselves.

His hobbies include amateur theatre, philately and charity work, as well as supporting Geelong. 

In his previous life he worked for Australia’s largest dairy company, Bonlac Foods, as a regional export manager and travelled extensively to North America and the Asian region. He also went to many African and Middle Eastern countries. 

Kev willingly takes on extra responsibilities to cover for convenors who are travelling or unwell, which is greatly appreciated.

June Warburton – Geelong

If ever there was a lucky day at Geelong Life Activities Club it was the day June Warburton joined. Ever since then her presence has made the club a better place. June takes on jobs hard to fill including cleaning the clubroom, sudden secretary vacancies twice and organises special club days and new activities. 

She always dresses up in exotic costumes to make the club a fun place at a fancy dress event. Everyone loves to help her because it is always a great success. 

An outstanding club member and role model. Worth her weight in diamonds.

Diane Arnett – Knox

While I was still working a friend, Julie, introduced me to the club in 1994. It was known as EPRA then, which stood for Early Planning for Retirement Association.

Ballroom dancing with my husband was my passion but I was widowed in 1984.

I joined the organ group first.  It wasn’t long before I was in the walking groups on the weekends, and on days off and holidays, heading off for the getaways and extended holidays.  Meeting lots of new people and thoroughly enjoying the activities.  I finally retired in 2001 and joined the water aerobics, garden walks and socials outings. In 2002 they were looking for someone to take on the treasurer-ship.  I decided to give it a go… the rest is history and I’m still enjoying the job now.  I eventually became convenor for both the Art, Organ and Craft Groups.  Currently I am convenor of Social Games and a 500 card group.  My other interests include gardening, word puzzles, water colour painting, sketching and I even dabbled in botanical art and organ playing.  Later, square dancing and round dancing became my obsession 5-6 nights a week.  I have two children and four grandchildren, who are my great joy. 

I would recommend the club to anyone looking for friendship and social connection. 

The convenors and committee members that came forward to give it a go, have made this great club what it is today.  One that shares so much pleasure with so many and I hope it continues into the future. 

For good health and wellbeing… move it or lose, keep on keeping on.  Happy clubbing!