How wonderful to have the COVID vaccine available to us all. It gives us a level of freedom and confidence we haven’t enjoyed for 12 months. It seems many of us are still reticent about fully ‘getting back to normal’ and getting out and about as we did before. Perhaps we should take a deep breath and ‘just do it’!

All Clubs will be looking at participating in membership drives, particularly during the Seniors Festival in October. LACVI will have a marquee in Federation Square on Celebration Day, Sunday 3rd October and a desk at Deakin Edge at Federation Square during the following week. We look forward to seeing some of our members donating some time to help us promote the organisation and individual Clubs. Your own Club may also have a promotional activity in your area, so go and help them out, it’s great fun and one of the rare times people don’t mind being accosted on the street!

Many of you will have seen the recent series on ABC (and still available to see on iView), Old People’s Home for 4 Year Olds. What a charming series, with extraordinary outcomes for both the older participants and the children and their families. All the older participants lived alone and benefitted with improved physical and quality of life measures. A great reminder to us all to engage in activities at our local Life Activities Club.

The expression ‘use it or lose it’ has never been more true for those of us in retirement and dealing with advancing years. And of course our slogan is to be treasured: Life’s better together!

Kath Frowen, President of Life Activities Clubs Victoria Inc.

The LACVI Board members were delighted to hear at the recent Council Meeting (our quarterly meeting with representatives from all the affiliated Life Activities Clubs) that the LACs which were struggling to fill their Committee positions had finally managed to do so.

What a big relief to those members of the Club committees who worked so hard to keep the Clubs going during COVID-19 lockdowns and generally 12 months of disruption to the functioning of our organisations. The LACVI Board are looking forward to supporting those wonderful volunteers to offer their members a valuable experience.

Do you have some skills you could offer the LACVI Board? We’d love to hear from you. Contact Deb at office@life.org.au or click here to download nomination form.

Karen Gallagher steps down from LACVI Board

We were delighted when Karen joined the Board in May 2019 and brought her wide experience in marketing and management.

Unfortunately due to pressure of family, study and work commitments she has decided to step down from the Board.

I’d like to take this opportunity to thank Karen for her time and skills and to wish her well in the future.

Kath Frowen, President

We would like to hear from you.

As a member of Inner Melbourne Life Activities I would like to start a conversation on Public Transport and how it impacts on the older community. Because we are based in the city we only use Public Transport to and from our activities.

Please email stories and comments to secretary@life.org.au as well as office@life.org.au

Sue Van Gerrevink Secretary of Life Activities Clubs Victoria Inc.

The Commissioner for Senior Victorians was asked to canvas the views of senior Victorians on ‘ageing well’ to ensure the framework is informed by their aspirations and real-life experiences. The Ageing Well in a Changing World report is the result of that research, which was completed in October 2019.

Based on consultation with almost 5000 participants, the study is one of Australia’s largest pieces of research examining the views of seniors.

To view the full report visit: www.seniorsonline.vic.gov.au/ageing-well

To view the video of the launch via Facebook: https://fb.watch/5-QDpZRIxr/

Victorian Seniors Festival Reimagined 2021

In October many live events will be presented as part of the Festival reimagined. Two significant Festival events take place during the Festival’s 8 days of free public transport for Victorian Seniors Card holders - Celebration Day at Fed Square and the Festival Hub at Deakin Edge Fed Square. Both events are free.

Friends are just as important as family. Some would say they are family. We value them and look forward to seeing them so why not have a special day to celebrate them?

This year is a special one for COTA Victoria – we’re celebrating 70 years of promoting opportunities and protecting the rights of all older Victorians. It’s a time to reflect on our origins and achievements, and to look ahead at how we continue to advocate on the important issues for older Victorians.

Before the pandemic, seniors could live quite comfortably without changing the way they manage their finances, travel or purchase entertainment such a movies, theatre or sport.

It was still possible to pay for goods and services with cash or cheques. Queueing to purchase paper tickets to attend the cinema or football game or to book overseas travel through a phone call may have taken more time but meant that seniors did not have to confront the challenges of using computers to live a good life.

Face-to-face ‘introduction to computers’ training is conducted in many areas across Victoria for people that have little or no experience with computers.
At Home Personalised in-home technology services. Learn from your computer or tablet.	Libraries or community centres Many of these can be found at: www.learnlocal.org.au/find-a-learn-local/
If you are interested in locating a venue in your area or finding an online service, contact the main office to provide you with further information: office@life.org.au

By Lynda Bourne

I always liked my days filled with functions and hobbies. When my wife passed away in November 2017 after 67 years of marriage, I not only lost my love but all my normal life activities.

By Keith Wade

I am an ex-President of Waverley LAC, and for some years now have been giving talks to Probus and other LAC clubs on the subject of “The Australian Bush”.

I enjoy passing on this information, so that I do not charge for the service (but my wife is partial to a Sav. Blanc!)

I would like to offer my services to  LAC ‘s who are looking for a guest speaker now that conventional meetings are becoming possible again.

Mick Brasher  
Contact me at: mnmbrasher@optusnet.com.au

Billy Tea under a Pink Moon: Journeying in the Simpson Desert!

Maybe not everyone’s cup of tea but what an unforgettable experience!

By Heather Wheat

Snowy Mountains Odyssey

I jumped at the chance to holiday in the Snowy Mountains with Kath and her dog Maisy, it did not disappoint.

By Helen Stubbs

Life Activities Clubs (LACs) that are members of LACVI come under its protective umbrella and receive a number of benefits ranging from exclusive access to social events to advocacy on behalf of their members to Government and community bodies.

All LACs provide their members with opportunities to enjoy a range of fun and healthy activities in a safe and friendly environment.

Each Life Activities Club is an incorporated, not-for-profit community group, run by its members on a voluntary basis. Each Club provides members with opportunities to keep physically fit and mentally alert, allowing members to determine their own level of engagement without any pressure. They provide a stimulating environment where people can learn new skills and share their own and others’ experiences, enjoy life to the full and avoid the risk of loneliness and isolation. They are welcoming and operate in a relaxed and comfortable manner.

With 20 clubs across Victoria, there’s sure to be one for you. Ballarat, Balwyn, Boroondara, Brighton Bayside, Casey/Cardinia, Croydon, Darebin, Eynesbury, Inner Melbourne, Knox, Manningham, Moonee Valley, Mornington, Port Phillip, Sandringham, Surf Coast, Trentham, Waverley, Wodonga and Yarraville.

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