By Mitchell Clarke
Joining a Twinkle Toes event in Berwick, Minister for Disability, Ageing and Carers Luke Donnellan announced $42,000 as part of the State Budget 2019/20 to the Life Activities Club for the sixth consecutive year.
Meeting with Narre Warren South MP Gary Maas and members of the Casey Cardinia Life Activities Club at Brentwood Park Neighbourhood House on Thursday 11 July, the guests observed a weekly sequence in-line dancing event.
Minister Donnellan is calling on the public to form better attitudes towards elderly citizens.
“It’s a pleasure to meet the lively members of the Casey/Cardinia Life Activities Club, their passion and enthusiasm for the club is fantastic to see,” Mr Donnellan said.
“The Andrews Labor Government is proud to support community groups such as Life Activities Club Victoria and the work they do to keep people physically, mentally and socially active.
“It’s important to reach out to communities who are more isolated and vulnerable, and it’s vital for people to go out and socialise.
“Elderly want to dance, they want to go to the local pub and socialise, they don’t want to sit at home and be told ‘they’ve done enough’.”
President of Casey Cardinia Life Activities Club (CCLAC) Susan Brooks said the group has been running for 24 years.
“It started as a social club with all sorts of activities, now streamlined to cater for older people, with activities including bowls, cards, table tennis, dine outs and dancing,” Ms Brooks said.
“Members formed life-long friendships over the years, we are a very caring club, people are friendly, and they talk to you.”
The funding will go towards the peak body with President of Life Activities Club for Victoria Kath Frowen saying the focus of the club is to grow.
“We’re about to launch an advertising campaign to try and get people interested in starting up more clubs in regional Victoria,” Ms Frowen said.
Member for Narre Warren South Gary Maas said these organisations played an extremely important role in the community.
“The CCLAC’s activities ensure that people entering the second part of their life are not alone and that they continue to be physically and mentally engaged for their own wellbeing and the wellbeing of our community,” Mr Maas said.
There are currently 3618 members in 21 Life Activities Clubs across Victoria which supports people through educational, social, physical and recreational activities as they enter the second half of their life.
With the slogan, ‘Life’s Better Together’, the group hopes to continue to embody their philosophy of enjoying life and meeting like-minded people, ultimately helping to avoid loneliness and isolation.
