By Theresia Titus
Age is no barrier to friendship for a group of seniors from across the northern suburbs.
The Northern Suburbs Social Group, who come together regularly at Wanneroo Parish hall, is now in its fourth year.
The group, which started in 2017, now has some 230 members. Around 60 members attend each meeting.
The first gathering for the year was held this week, with Prostate Cancer nurse Julie Sykes as a guest speaker and music performance by Paul Spencer.
Speaking to The eRecord, founder and chairman of the group, Sean McDonagh, said members were “very supportive and offer positive feedback”.
“The meeting is open to all, with most members aged from 55 and above and of a variety of multicultural backgrounds,” Mr McDonagh noted.
“[The purpose of the gathering is to] bring people together in the spirit of friendship to enjoy good entertainment and listen to professional guest speakers and make new friends. We have games and quizzes with prizes at each of our monthly meetings.
“Registration opens at 10.15am for a 10.30am start and finishes midday. All attendees bring a plate to share lunch,” he added.
The initiative is advertised across the northern parishes including Wanneroo, Ocean Reef, Whitford, Woodvale, Greenwood, and Banksia Grove – and it has been receiving “great support and encouragement”.
“Our first meeting was held in February 2017, with the help and encouragement of friends Fred Rea and Jim Egan to provide music and entertainment for seniors in the northern suburbs,” Mr McDonagh recalled.
“I had just retired and being a member of the Parish Council at Wanneroo, I approached our then-Parish Priest Fr John Daly to seek permission to hold a trial meeting at the church hall for a few months to bring local parishioners together.
“We had some 25 members attend and gradually over the first year, with the encouragement of the local parishes and The Record, the word spread and numbers started to increase.
“Our then Parish Priest Fr John Daly and the Parish Council were very supportive and announced our meetings at the Sunday Masses,” he said.
A variety of speaking topics are offered to members each month, and feature health, fitness, government and medical professionals.
“We also celebrate members’ birthdays each month and our volunteers ensure that everyone is welcome and are provided with their own name badges,” Mr McDonagh said.
“We are providing an opportunity for people to meet at a very low cost.