Bingo, bowls, bridge and euchre. The Euroa Third Age club is busier than ever and the best thing is there’s no ID required to be a member. Julia O’Brien said, “The official age is 55+ years but I can assure you we won’t ask for your license or birth certificate – we welcome anyone to come along.”

Membership for last year was 142 with $3 for annual membership fee. Kath McLaine believes, “This is probably our best year yet. Approximately 2,500 people attended activities over the past year, which is not counting members taking part in trips. That is a great accomplishment for the Club.”

Members of the Euroa Third Age Club get out and about on some wonderful excursions. Last November they had a most enjoyable trip to The Falls winery, to the Seven Creeks Estate, which evoked many memories, and a wonderful trip to the Port of Echuca and surrounds during Seniors' Week.

Achievements for the past year include:

• furniture at the entrance has been adjusted to a more practical height;

• new bowls mat has been a huge hit and the bowls days are going extremely well;

• bridge is on the increase (but euchre is declining);

• a concert in May raised $700 for a family in Sri Lanka who lost their mother as a result of the Tsunami;

• $1000 was donated to the Tsunami Caritas appeal;

• $100 was donated to Euroville and Amaroo towards Christmas expenses;

• $50 donated to the Christian Fellowship towards it’s Christmas dinner for those without families; and

• $180 was raised for the Kidney Health Australia group (they bought a cordless microphone, a new bowls mat, CD player and new tea pots).

Special things that make the difference are the likes of flowers and cards sent to members celebrating special birthdays, to those who were ill or hospitalised and to the families of deceased members.

The Club rooms rooms were used by the Palliative Care group, RSL Ladies, Euroaville Auxiliary and Kidney Health group, and the 'Over 70s' monthly dinners run by the Council.

Special thanks goes to Prim Macalister for singing "songs from the shows".

Things that can be improved on: the Club is on the internet but not using it to capacity yet - something to work on in the next financial year; also, the monthly socials have been down a bit in numbers, but hopefully this will improve with better weather.

What a busy year it has been!

For more informationon the Euroa Third Age Club please contact Kath McLaine on 5795 3028 or Julia O’Brien on 5795 1770.