Dates for Wellness News your Diary in 2017 I S S U E 3 1 2 D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 6 Term 1 Monday 30th January International Women s Day 8 March 2017 Seniors Week Open Days 6th and 7th March I N S I D E T H I S I S S U E : Meditation 2 Heartbeats 2 Walking 2 Group As we say goodbye to 2016 and prepare to welcome the New year we can take time to reflect on our year at Wellness. In term 3 we were privileged to have the Nun s from the Nan- Tien Temple conduct six meditation sessions here in Coniston. This was the first time classes in meditation were given outside of the temple complex and those who attended really enjoyed the Ven. Miaoyou s guidance towards inner peace. Thanks to grants from the IRT (Illawarra Retirement Trust) and F.A.C. s (Family and Community Services) we were able to celebrate Seniors Week with an open day in Term one and in the fourth term we were able to start a walking group with separate FAC s grants and run four workshops with a grant from IRT. A special thank you goes to Lynne who worked so hard on all of these projects which were given the thumbs up by nearly all those who attended and filled out their evaluation sheets. At our Christmas Party we say goodbye to Michèle when she retires from teaching our exercise and fitness classes. Michèle has been with us since day one and we will miss having her smiling face in front of class. We wish her the very happiest retirement and look forward to having her visit now and again. Thank you so much Michele for the past six years you have spent keeping our members focused on fitness. Team Wellness made up of a wonderful number of volunteers who turn up every week and take on numerous tasks in setting up, signing in, packing up and helping members and train- ers enjoy their day at the centre. On behalf of myself and every woman who attends our classes we would like to give a special thank you to Lilly, Anne, Jan, Cherylyn, Mary, Sheila, Adriana and to everyone who helps out each week. You all deserve a medal. I wish all a very Merry Christmas and Festive Season and looking forward to meeting you all again in the New Year Barbara Malcolm I No Worries Workshops News for next year Wellness Program 3 4 4 Photos 5 Our own wonderful circle of women enjoying International Dancing on a Monday morning.
P A G E 2 The Venerable Miaoyou with the Meditation Group in Term. 3 We hope to be able to continue this relationship in the future. Our OWN Heartbeats playing at the OWN NSW Annual Conference in Sydney. Everyone is welcome to come to Annual Conference. Walking Group Sponsored by the Make Healthy Normal Community Project 2016 (NSW Health) We are a happy bunch of walkers stepping up each week enjoying the outdoors, chatting about anything and everything while exercising. The pace ranges from relatively quick to moderately slow, but we manage to stay within view of each other. A special mention to two participants; Vilma who unfortunately arrived after the group had left one morning, but unperturbed she went for a walk anyway and Mary who enjoyed a coffee on her return walk. Our fitness bands record the number of steps we walk-which is over half the recommended target of 10 000steps every day. Well done everyone! W E L L N E S S N E W S
I S S U E 3 No Worries Workshops in Term 4 Sponsored by IRT Happy faces after the Laughter Workshop and delicious lunch We ran a varied program-something for everyone. Maggie Sydenham inspired us to write our life story, capturing our memories for future generations. Dr Kimberley Knight stirred our emotions and joined us in sharing our treasured possessions, assisted by Eva Castle who gently guided us in recording them in print. Rev ZhiLi reminded us to take time to clear our mind daily and live a less stressful life. Annie Vanags helped us realise we had plenty to laugh about, ( I wish I could bottle Jessye and Pat s infectious laughs). Nali s culinary skills were on display creating a delicious meal, bringing our workshops to a close. Thank you to all participants who made the workshop a success. Lynne Williams Maggie Sydenham with some of our members after her workshop. This was an inspiring talk and our members were very keen to have a discussion and enjoy a cup of tea with Maggie. We have purchased two copies of Maggie s book Getting Older, Getting Better that are available to borrow
News for next Year We will no longer have a Book Table each week. Instead we will be having a Clothing Sale every term and the first one will be Monday 6th March which corresponds with our Open Day for Seniors Week. Donations will be accepted from first week back next Year. Its Time to clean out your wardrobe so you can fill it up again! Bring in your pre-loved items that are in good condition for our popular clothing sale at Wellness. Clothing, accessories, Jewellery Shoes, handbags, scarves etc There will be a tub at the desk at the Coniston Community Centre to drop off your goodies. This year we say goodbye and thanks to the wonderful Michèle Leeder -Smith who has inspired us with her fitness and exercise classes for the past six years. Michèle will be retiring but hopefully coming back occasionally to visit us. Lisa Lay will join us next year as our fitness instructor. You may have noticed Lisa paying us a visit last week of classes. Monday ILLAWARRA OWN WELLNESS CENTRE 9:00-10.00 am Tai Chi with Ivan Fiorani 10:15-11.15 International Dance with Fiona Clark 11:30-12:00pm 11:30-12:00pm 12:00-1:00pm 1:15-2:15pm Extra Gentle Exercise for Beginners with Lisa Lay Beginners Drumming with Barbara in the Theatre Foyer Keep Fit for Seniors with Lisa Lay Argentinean Drumming with Barbara Malcolm Tuesday 9:30-11:00am 11:15-12:15pm Thai Yoga with Sue Noradechanunt Ukulele Lessons with John Maguire
Some of our members enjoying End of Term Lunch at the Conistion Hotel. This has proved very popular and we would like to thank the hotel management for their support throughout the year. Secretary Position I am unable to continue with the role of secretary next year because of family commitments so we are looking for someone who would like to take on this role. We have a Fuji Xerox Printer and all printing costs are met by the Wellness Centre. Barbara is also trying to arrange for a Laptop to help with the position. I have enjoyed the role and am only to happy to help out when I can. Cherylyn Fenton Wow.! The girls certainly look like they are having fun at the Conference. I think they will be on the program for next year as well. Suggestions made by Mental Health Foundation of Australia Develop and maintain strong relationships with family and friends Make regular time available for social contact Eat wholesome, nutritious food Do regular physical activity Become involved in activities that interest you Set yourself achievable goals and work towards them Try to be optimistic and enjoy everyday Wow! We do this every week. I have also added Above all maintain a sense of humour.