Seniors festival 2014 (low res)

SNFEATURE

SHEPPARTON NEWS, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2014

37

October 2014 Mooroopna great-grandfather Don Stephens epitomises the Victorian Seniors Festival theme ‘Taking good care of yourself’.

Despite having two steel knees, the 81-year-old leads an active lifestyle which includes cycling, walking and lawn bowls. See his full story on page 40.

Never too old to have a good time The 32nd Victorian Seniors Festival will be celebrated from Sunday, October 5 to Sunday, October 12 with the theme of ‘Taking good care of yourself’.

Senior citizens will be able to participate in a range of different activities in the Goulburn Valley and across the state and seniors card holders will be able to enjoy the benefit of free public transport.

Local events include a Johnny Young concert at the Eastbank Centre in Shepparton, a performance by Keith Potger of The Seekers at the Paramount Theatre in Echuca, Hurlstone Homestead garden tour and lunch in Shepparton, a tour of Koonoomoo’s Big Strawberry and a walking tour of Mooroopna’s sacred sites.

Federal Member for Murray Sharman Stone said it was important to

acknowledge the contributions senior citizens made to our society.

“Seniors have contributed to our community for years and it is only right that we have a full festival dedicated to them and their much appreciated services,” Dr Stone said.

“Many seniors are also major contributors to volunteer work in our communities, whether it is volunteering in op shops, Lions clubs or in sporting clubs. Many seniors are

Mooroopna/Shepparton to Melbourne Airport

also grandparents who play a huge part in helping to mind or raise their grandchildren.”

Dr Stone encouraged all senior citizens to enjoy the different events.

“I encourage all seniors to get involved with the Seniors Festival and have a good time. It could be a great way to catch up with old friends or meet some new people at one of the many activities happening throughout the festival,” Dr Stone said.

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38 SNFEATURE

SHEPPARTON NEWS, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2014

VICTORIAN SENIORS

Patricia McDonough getting ready to go skiing at Mt Buller this snow season.

October 2014

Patricia McDonough practising yoga at a retreat in August.

So much to do, so little time . . .

By Alexandra Bathman

From yoga to golf to motorcycle riding, 82-year-old Patricia McDonough has made her senior years the time for all the things she wants to do.

“There is so much to do in this world and I’m going to run out of time to do everything that I want to do,” she said.

“I just love doing everything.”

The Dhurringile resident and former nurse is a big believer in keeping the mind and body active since her first husband Douglas Bathman died of bowel cancer 20 years ago.

In 2003, she married Robert McDonough who died of cancer in 2012.

Mrs McDonough, who grows her own fruit and vegetables, said keeping a healthy lifestyle, even through the tougher times, “just seemed natural”.

people at the places she goes to and recently returned from skiing at Mt Buller where she saw a woman she met at the snow last year.

“We change as we grow of course and I’ve been sad. It does take a little while,” she said.

She has also played bowls for eight years, took up golf when she was in her 60s and she has played tennis and croquet for many years in the past.

“But it’s about keeping the mind active.”

Mrs McDonough recently went to a yoga retreat at Dunkeld, south of the Grampians National Park.

“We practised yoga three hours in the morning and an hour-and-a-half in the evening. It was very peaceful. You breathe in and breathe out,” she said.

“I’ve got to get back to it. I bought myself a yoga mat the other day.”

Mrs McDonough said she meets lots of

“I need to stay mentally and physically healthy to be able to do the things I want to do,” she said.

“I know you will never get very good at something if you don’t specialise in something and I have that problem because I want to do everything: how do you fit it all in?”

Mrs McDonough has six children and received a violin from her eldest daughter for Christmas last year.

She can now use two fingers on the strings.

While Mrs McDonough has a new violin to play, she also has a Kawasaki motorcycle she used to ride regularly alongside Mr McDonough through towns such as Heathcote and Rushworth.

“I took up motorbike riding in my 60s,” she said.

“It’s been three years since my last ride and I’ve been trying to get back on it. I start it up and I let it run and I’m all ready to go but I don’t.”

Mrs McDonough said she knows she can do it, just like she can do everything else.

“I just need a bit of pushing I think – I’ve got to push myself – it’s a mental thing. I think I will do it this spring.”

SNFEATURE

SHEPPARTON NEWS, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2014

VICTORIAN SENIORS

39

October 2014

Greater Shepparton Seniors Festival Program October 2014

Me ‘n’ Me Mates Australian Songs & Stories

Hurlstone Garden Tour and Luncheon

Tuesday, October 7, 11 am.

Australian country/bush songs, stories and yarns written by such favourites as Henry Lawson, Slim Dusty and Banjo Paterson.

Where: Shepparton Youth Club Hall.

Cost: Free.

Bookings: Phone 5832 9785.

Sunday, October 12, 12 pm to 4 pm.

Visit historic Hurlstone Homestead. In 1989, current owners Kerry and Margaret Atley purchased the property, restored the home and enhanced it with significant gardens and landscaping. Originally belonging to the Ford family and one of the first directors of SPC, the property regularly hosts weddings and has been in the Australian Open Garden Scheme. Take a trip down memory lane in this divine setting from noon to 4 pm and enjoy a two-course meal and live music.

Where: Ford Rd, Shepparton.

Cost: $30 per person – payment required when booking.

Bookings: Phone Riverlinks on 5832 9511.

Bookings close Monday, October 6 at 5 pm.

Johnny Young Concert Wednesday, October 8, 11 am.

Australian show business veteran of 40 years, Johnny Young’s floor show includes his own songs and those he wrote for others, as well as a tribute to Young Talent Time years and dance sets featuring ‘60s and ‘70s rock and roll hits.

Where: Eastbank Centre, Shepparton.

Cost: $5 booking fee.

Bookings: Phone Riverlinks on 5832 9511.

Toolamba Lions Club Wednesday, October 8, 11.30 am to 3 pm.

Seniors two-course lunch and entertainment.

Where: Toolamba Hall.

Cost: Free.

Bookings: Phone 5826 5182.

Shepparton Senior Citizens Thursday, October 9, 8.30 am.

Bus trip to Huntly Farm Roses, Strathbogie.

Devonshire morning tea and lunch purchased at Violet Town Hotel Motel at own cost.

Cost: $28.

Bookings: Phone 5821 9483 after 4 pm.

Mooroopna Education Centre Thursday, October 9, 10 am.

Eat Well, Live Longer – Naturopath information session on healthy eating followed by a healthy morning tea and a chance to win one of 10 free passes for the seniors exercise program.

Where: Morrell St, Mooroopna.

Cost: Free.

Bookings: Phone 5825 1774.

Murchison Senior Citizens Club Friday, October 10, 8 am.

A bus tour from Murchison to Koonoomoo’s Big Strawberry. Morning tea provided and lunch at own cost.

Where: Murchison Senior Citizens.

Cost: $10.

Bookings: Phone 5826 2192.

Shepparton Croquet Club Friday, October 10, 17 and 24, 1 pm.

Free come and try croquet with three sessions and coaching available. All equipment supplied.

Please bring flat-soled shoes.

Bookings: Phone 0427 327 201.

Walking Tour of Sacred Sites in Mooroopna Friday, October 10 and 17, 2 pm.

Walking tour with Leon Saunders on some of the tracks in the area known as the “Flats”, between Peter Ross-Edwards Causeway and the Goulburn River on the south side. The tour will start and finish at KidsTown, Peter Ross-Edwards Causeway. Beware of bush hazards such as snakes.

Access: The walk is on both sealed bike path (Yahna Gurtji Shared Pathway) and unsealed, uneven bush tracks.

Cost: Free.

Bookings: Phone 5832 9785.

McEwen Reserve Tennis Club Monday, October 13, 9 am to 3 pm.

Come and try tennis with different events including women’s doubles, men’s doubles and mixed events. Trophies presented to winners.

Where: McEwen Reserve Tennis Courts.

Cost: $2 to $3.

Bookings: Phone 5821 4076.

Vision Australia Monday, October 13, 10 am.

Vision Australia is hosting an Active Body – Active Mind day for people with vision impairments.

Lunch will be provided followed by a trivia afternoon.

Where: Vision Australia, Channel Rd, Shepparton.

Cost: Free.

Bookings: Phone 5831 9400.

Tatura Community House Tuesday, October 14, 1.30 pm.

Trivia afternoon with novelty prizes followed by afternoon tea.

Where: Tatura Community House.

Cost: Free.

Bookings: Phone 5824 1315.

Spotlight Walks Tuesday, October 14, 7.45 pm.

Join River Connect on an hour-long twilight walk to learn about native animals living in the bush.

Bring comfortable walking shoes, a drink bottle and torch.

Where: Australian Botanic Gardens, Kialla Tip Rd, Kialla.

Cost: Free.

Bookings: Phone 5832 9493.

Seniors Forum Wednesday, October 15, 10 am to 3 pm.

Greater Shepparton City Council’s Positive Ageing Advisory Committee is hosting a forum about the services, support and initiatives available to older people who live in the community. There will be guest speakers, information stalls and afternoon tea provided.

Where: Eastbank Centre, Welsford St, Shepparton.

Cost: Free.

Bookings: Phone 5832 9785. Bookings close Friday, October 10 at 5 pm.

Tatura Men’s Shed, Senior Citizens and Probus Lunch Wednesday, October 15, 11.30 am to 2 pm.

A three-course lunch offered by Tatura Men’s Shed, Tatura Senior Citizens and Tatura

Probus Club with the help of caterers. Enjoy entertainment and lucky door prizes.

Where: Victory Hall, Hogan St, Tatura.

Cost: $8 per head – payment on booking.

Bookings: Phone 5824 1089 or 0427 140 241 or 5826 5095 or 0418 367 675.

Tatura Absolute Training Studio Thursday, October 16, from 9.30 am.

Free come and try gym session supervised by personal trainers.

Where: Tatura Absolute Training Studio, 68a Casey St, Tatura.

Cost: Free.

Bookings: Phone 5824 2884.

Social Connections Trivia Day Friday, October 17, 11 am to 3 pm.

Join Social Connections groups for a day of trivia and laughter. Light lunch provided.

Where: McIntosh Centre, Shepparton.

Cost: $10.

Bookings: Phone 5832 9785.

Dookie Military Vehicle Rally Saturday and Sunday, October 18 and 19, all day. Display of 30 military vehicles, military history displays, military armour and motor transport displays and re-enactments.

Where: Main St Parkland, Dookie.

Cost: Free.

Further Information: Phone 0427 538 667.

Friends of the Australian Botanic Gardens in Shepparton Sunday, October 19.

Drive through three different gardens in the Rushworth and Ardmona areas. Afternoon tea provided.

Cost: $20.

Bookings: Phone 0419 329 388. Bookings close Friday, October 10.

Art Along The River Saturday, October 25, 8.30 am to noon.

Join River Connect and Glenda Cornell from Cockatoo Island artist retreat for an outdoor art class at Victoria Park Lake. No experience necessary. Bring a comfortable chair, sun hat and water bottle. All art equipment supplied.

Where: Behind Victoria Park Lake near the All Abilities playground.

Cost: Free.

Bookings: Phone 5832 9714.

Come and Try Sessions at Aquamoves Over 50s circuit: Mondays in October – 10.15 am.

Over 50s Body Balance: Mondays in October – 10.15 am.

PUFF walking group: Fridays in October – 9 am.

Prospective participants must provide personal information and medical history details. People with medical conditions require a medical certificate to participate.

Cost: Free.

Bookings: Phone 5832 9400.

Come and Try Sessions at Shepparton Sports Stadium.

Tai chi, Keenagers (table tennis), strength training, social badminton.

Where: Shepparton Sports Stadium.

Cost: Gold coin donation.

Bookings: Phone Kyleigh on 5832 9481.

ACCESSING SENIORS FESTIVAL EVENTS Special requirements such as dietary, wheelchair access, mobility aids or vision impairment can be catered for. A portable hearing loop system is available at some events if required. Phone Greater Shepparton City Council on 5832 9785.

More than 1000 events across the state

Photography Along The River Tuesday, October 12, 5.30 pm to 7.15 pm.

Join River Connect and the Shepparton Camera Club for a photography workshop along the Goulburn River. Bring comfortable walking shoes, a drink bottle, torch and a camera.

Where: Stuart Reserve, The Boulevard.

Bookings: Phone 5832 9714.

www.seniorsonline.vic.gov.au

Your feet will walk Àve times around the world in a lifetime.

Will yours last the distance?

See a podiatrist at SHEPPARTON FOOT CLINIC for all your foot care needs.

5822 1855

Providing podiatry to the Goulburn Valley since 1983

14 Welsford St (opposite the RSL)

40 SNFEATURE

SHEPPARTON NEWS, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2014

VICTORIAN SENIORS

October 2014

Still enjoying a full life

By Alexandra Bathman

Don Stephens might have steel knees but cycling and being outdoors is how he takes care of himself.

The 81-year-old had two full knee reconstructions 17 years ago and what was initially a form of physiotherapy has become a leisurely activity that keeps him “full of muscle”.

“Just about every Sunday I ride 20 to 30 km through the bush on the cycling tracks,” Mr Stephens said.

“Any chance I get through the week I ride my bike; I will often ride my bike to bowls.”

Mr Stephens lives in Mooroopna with his wife Wendy and begins each day with a brisk morning walk.

“It gets me up and gets air into my lungs and gets the whole heart ticking. I take some good deep breaths in the morning and think it’s good to be alive,” he said.

“Living outdoors and eating healthy have Don Stephens playing been a help to me but life is the luck of bowls for Mooroopna the draw all the same, isn’t it?” earlier this year.

Mr Stephens has played bowls for 25 years and is one of the greenkeepers at Mooroopna Bowls Club, which keeps him busy three mornings a week during the making myself useful.” season.

He enjoyed taking cattle to the sale yards “We worked out the other day that to mow and “tinkering” with farm machinery. and press the lawn it was a 2 km walk,” he said.

Meeting new people also kept his mind active.

Mr Stephens has also kept his hand in farming.

“I meet a lot of people at my casual work as a funeral director. I get the “I’ve got two sons-in-law who have farms and I enjoy going out to their farms and opportunity to say hello to people and

Come along to the Greater Shepparton

Seniors Expo

Don Stephens rides his bike to help keep his knees strong.

people come up to me and say hello Don,” he said.

“It’s good to be able to talk to others.”

While he lived an active life, Mr Stephens said rest was also vital.

“Get up early and get into bed early, too.

You’ve got to have rest,” he said.

Mr Stephens relaxes by playing his violin

or organ.

He took up the organ in his 50s when the Toolamba church needed a new organist.

“I love classical music. When I’m here on my own that’s a great time for me to relax and play music,” he said.

“I could sit there for an hour or more and play the organ.”

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W O N OUT

OCTOBER 15th 2014, 10 am til 3 pm

Guest Speakers / Presenters 10.30am til 12.30pm • Expo 1pm til 3pm Bring yourself, family, friends and loved ones along to hear about the many products, services and support available to older people living in the Community.

Guest Speakers and Stall holders included: • Centrelink • Goulburn Valley Community Legal Centre • Vision 2020 Australia • Shepparton Villages • Men’s Shed Association • Council’s Aged Services • Kildonan UnitingCare (formerly Cutting Edge) • GMS - Free To Smile • Regional Information Advocacy Council (RIAC) • Freedom Independence • ACAS/APATT (Aged Care Assessment Team) • Berry Street • Red Cross • Country Health Care • GV Community Energy • Ambulance Victoria • Rumbalara Health Services/ Aged Services • Wintringham • Goulburn Valley Pride & PFLAG Shepparton

Eastbank Centre, Welsford St, Shepparton RSVP to 5832 9785.

Bookings essential for catering purposes.

• Rural Allied Health Team (Dietician, O.T) • Familycare • State Trustees • Hearing Australia • Vision Australia • Shepparton Gardens • Lifestyle Villages • Kensington Gardens • Villa Maria • Road and Scooter Safety • Travellers Aid • Probus • U3A • Community Interlink • Harmony Village • Country Fire Authority • Senior Citizen Clubs • Aquamoves

Available from: Goulburn Valley Newspower: 314 Wyndham St, Shepparton — 5821 4126 Lovell ’s Shepparton Newsagency: 246 Wyndham St, Shepparton — 5821 2622 Mooroopna Newspower: 84 McLennan St, Mooroopna — 5825 2020

Shepparton News: 7940 Goulburn Valley Hwy, Shepparton — 5831 2312 Also available from participating local businesses For further information contact us on 5820 3186