AINSLIE MULHOLLAND
The Metropolitan Senior Citizens’ Centre gathered today to celebrate their nonagenarian’s members as part of COTA’s annual Seniors Week.
The coordinator of the Fortitude Valley Metropolitan Senior Citizens’ Centre Terina Edwards said that the event was about honouring their fifteen 90+ year-old members by making them founding members of their organisation.
“Today is a time for us to let our seniors know that we love them and they are just as much a part of our community, in fact the most special part that we should honour and celebrate every day”.
The event included live music, a catered lunch as well as a chance for the seniors to gather together and reminisce about their involvement and experiences with the organisation.
Musician Cheshire Cat was singing at today’s event and saw a positive change come over the senior citizens when she is performing for them.
“It is amazing because they smile and you can tell when they know a song as they start singing along, tapping their toes and get up with a partner or friend and start dancing with big energetic emotional movement”.
In order to ensure the smooth running of today’s event, the centre relies on the support of numerous volunteers who help with setting up and catering. John Tibbits, a volunteer with the centre for the last three years believes that it is instrumental in ensuring the mental wellbeing of the senior citizens.
“Without this place, the senior citizens would not get out of the house at all and have social interaction with other people particularly people around their own age with similar interests”.
“It is a very positive experience for the seniors and for all of the volunteers as well. A smile from one of the members is enough payment for us”.
Mary Pelmer, a member of the centre for the last three years and a nonagenarian believes that the event assists in combating against feelings of social isolation.
“I enjoy getting the crowd together to for talking. Once I get to know people, I stick with them. A lot of people I know are coming today and we enjoy sharing stories”.
The centre is hoping to host celebratory occasions to honour their nonagenarian’s members several times per year commencing by the end of the year.