Hello everyone,
Welcome to the first OPAP newsletter for 2025. I hope you all had a wonderful festive season with family and friends. All the usual activities have now recommenced, so I hope to see you all at the centre or out and about at our community events such as Eating with Friends each fortnight, the movies and morning tea once a month.
The home Produce Swap has celebrated its 10th year of running, meeting on the first Saturday of each month. Home grown vegies, flowers, plants and other goods are bought in by the members and exchanged in a friendly bartering system for items you may not have. A seed bank has also been made over the years for others to take and grow different things in their own backyards and anyone can contribute to the seed bank. Morning tea is supplied by those who wish to contribute with their baking skills, and a gold coin donation is given by those who attend. The magnificent cake was made by one of the members and all the decorations were edible.
Speaking of gardens, our own garden at East Creek has been running amok with weeds due to the good rains and warm days. If you are keen to help, an hour or two once a week, or just pick out a weed each time you come to the centre, would be of great benefit to assist our volunteer gardeners. This keeps the flowers blooming, the bees buzzing, butterflies happy and the weeds at bay. Please contact us on 07 4639 2755 to let us know of your interest.
Our new electronic sign is nearly finished. It has been a long and sometimes frustrating journey, but it is almost ready for use. Just a couple of trees and bushes on the southern side need trimming so the sign will be clearly seen from Kitchener Street in both directions. Now all we must do is learn how to use it!
I hope you have a wonderful month of February and look forward to seeing you soon.
Cheers, Lee.
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To provide support to seniors by assisting them through social and personal development activities to promote confidence, self esteem and independence. Linking vulnerable older people to local services and social support networks. Raising awareness of the needs and issues of seniors whilst breaking down the barriers of those who are socially isolated.
OPAP Offers...
- Broad, flexible, stimulating and strengthening program of activities.
- Personal activity packages that are customised for client’s needs.
- Assessment points to support the client towards independent management of their program.
- Personalised introduction at client’s first activity appointments to lessen anxiety and increase retention.
- Strengthening agencies work with older people.
- Provide opportunities for trained volunteers to work within the OPAP program.
- Community wide celebration of older people’s achievements and contributions.
- To encourage and support Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and CALD older people to participate in the Program.
OPAP Activities
Social, recreational and educational activities are offered through East Creek Community Centre, which include, but are not limited to:
- Community bus trips
- Luncheons and Special Events
- Guest Speakers
- Walking group
- Eating with Friends Program
- Mah-Jong Group
- Board Games Group
- Social Cuppa and Chat
Eating with Friends Venue List 2025
Cuppa and Cards Group (Playing Canasta and Rummikub)
Join our wonderful card ladies (and gents) as they meld Canastas in an attempt to reach 5000 points first. Now featuring the new tile number game, Rummikub as well. They play every Tuesday from 10 am through to 12 noon. We currently have two regular groups going, but are always on the lookout for more participants. No appointment needed, just drop by and see, or if you are a seasoned player, feel free to try playing a game. Sessions are $3.00 person / session.
Walking Group
Sometimes the simplest of activities can be the most effective when it comes to keeping both mind and body active. Remembering to keep them active is especially important as we age. That is the philosophy behind East Creek's very own Walking Group, a group welcome to all where participants take a brisk stroll to nearby (and occasionally, not so nearby) locations on Tuesday mornings at 8:45 am. Our like-minded walkers get to enjoy trips to local parks and landmarks, the occasional stop to nearby cafes and plenty of opportunities for socialisation. Come along and give it a go.
Eating with Friends
This OPAP initiative aims to minimise social isolation, bolster sustainable / long term friendships between participants and getting out-and-about town to discover the many eateries and locales on offer. Once a fortnight on a Wednesday, participants turn up and enjoy a good chat and a meal with one another at a predesignated local venue in (or sometimes, outside of) town. Travel assistance is available (subject to availability) on request to attend, so there has never been a better time at East Creek to partake in the 'Eating with Friends' program. Please call / email / drop in and see us to find out more.
Morning at the Movies
Since time immemorial, the pictures have been one of the 'go-to' places to have a good time with friends. East Creek believes this too, and as such, is able to offer a transport-assisted service (subject to availability) once a month on a Thursday to share a chic-flick or the latest heart-pounding action thriller at a discounted price at one of the local cinemas. Bookings are essential, as there are finite spaces, so please call ahead. Movies may also change subject to the screening cinema, the coordinator will give you a call a day or so before the movie to confirm. The cost for this activity is $8.00 per person.
Mahjong and Board Games Group
Every Wednesday morning, our Mahjong and Board Games group gathers to participate in an ancient game of strategy, luck, trying to make a whole slew of tile combinations to rack up points and claim victory. We play a casualised version with reference materials to make it easier on newcomers, though seasoned veterans are also welcome to attend for a casual game, or to contribute their knowledge and expertise. If you are looking to exercise your brain, meet new friends and believe in the magic of a good game, come along and see what it's all about. We've expanded our game to also include some casual board games like chess or scrabble, and welcome participants to bring their own to share with others and broaden the types of games they become familiar with and enjoy.
Community Bus Trips / Luncheons
Every now and again, some amazing opportunity becomes available that East Creek thinks their members would find interest in, or gain a benefit out of. Whether it is a trip around the community gardens, movie afternoons, or a tour of the RACQ Careflight facilities, (which have all happened in the past), these activities occur occasionally throughout the year. There is no preset format or cost, so the availability and requirements of the activity varies from one to the next. The only way to know about these is to stay up to date with our OPAP Newsletter, or partake in an OPAP activity, so please pick up a newsletter or join a group if it interests you. East Creek also finds value in bringing awareness to, and celebrating days of great importance, such as Adult Learners Week. These events are often hosted by a guest speaker, and features a small luncheon, so feel free to join us for those days when you can.
Gardening Group
East Creek's gardens have an auspicious history, having been recognised for their splendour many times over in the Carnival of Flowers gardening competitions. This is a testament to the hard work of our gardening group volunteers. Gardening has often been viewed as one of the most therapeutic pastimes one could engage in, and with how happy our volunteers tend to be after their sessions, we certainly believe it's true 🙂
They cover all aspects of gardening from design, to establishing new plants, to the ongoing maintenance necessary to keep it one of the most eye-catching displays on Kitchener Street. We have great flexibility with the program and volunteers are welcome to discuss with us when they are available to participate (currently Wednesdays and Fridays in the morning seem popular with our gardeners). There is no cost to this activity, so if you fancy yourself having a green thumb, please get in touch and see how you can be part of it.