Ron in the News

Club member Ron made The Advertiser this week in an article about the NSW Government removing Pensioner Excursion ticket from sale in 2016.

Next Meeting – 10th September 2015

The meeting starts promptly at 10.30 am

Don't forget to come early:

• Buy your raffle tickets to win one of either $20 or two $10 prizes.
• Book a computer lesson
• Get your name down for one of the hit shows booking this year.
• Enjoy a tea/coffee and biscuits.
• Have a look for a bargain on the trade table.
• Pick up a copy of The Senior Newspaper and/or The Voice when they are available.
• Find out about our many activities that you can join in, there is something on everyday of the week.

During the meeting there will be the usual short reports about the various activities the club offers its members and you are able to bring up matters of interest to members during General Business - don't be afraid to speak up if there is something that concerns you, this is YOUR club.
The meeting usually finishes between 11 and 11.30am.
New members are most welcome to come along and find out about the club, there is a short newsletter available for new or potential members at the raffle/signing in table which details coming events and contact details for the various group leaders. Please take one.

Bus Trips

Just a reminder there are no bus trips in October but there are TWO in November.

What a Busy Week (or two)!

Members have just returned from the club's autumn holiday to Yarrawonga. What a wonderful week they had. The weather was perfect, the food lovely and the organisers took them to some fantastic attractions. Members even took part in an historical re-enactment; it was such fun.

Everybody had a great time.

Preparations are in hand for the club's spring holiday. Watch this space.

Explore Wollongong

The next walk will take place on 2^nd May when the group will Explore Historic Wollongong.

Catch the 10:20am train at Dapto station (second carriage upstairs) to North Wollongong. The group's leader, Jim, will meet everyone at North Wollongong and explain some of the places the group will visit.

Bring a packed lunch or buy fish and chips in Belmore Basin, the choice is yours. After the success of the Kiama walk this is something not to miss. See you there.

The Next Meeting

Just a quick reminder the next club meeting is on the 8^th May in the Hall as usual at 10:30 (but remember to be early for a cup of tea and a chat) - there will be a special guest present. Our Federal MP Mr Stephen Jones will address the meeting and hopefully will take questions from members.

Tickets for our Mothers' Day Lunch held in the Leagues Club will be on sale at only $15. Don't miss it.

Mothers' Day Concert

Another date for your diary - Dapto Seniors Concert Group's annual Mothers' Day Concert takes place on the 12^th May at 1.30pm. There will be singing, skits and lots of fun for all. After the concert the group will serve their delicious afternoon tea followed by the monster door prize raffle - get your ticket at the door, it's free. Why not come along? everybody is welcome - all that is asked is a gold coin donation to help defray some of the expenses. Something to look forward to.

May Bus Trip

The Pots, Plants and Trains bus trip will leave from the Heininger House car park at 8:15am on the 5^th May. After the last meeting there were two seats left, ring Ann to see if they are still available - you might be lucky.

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As you can see it is all go at Dapto Seniors, New members are always welcome.
Why not join us? You will be glad you did.

News from the Front.

A New Life Member

At the 7^th November meeting the club's President was very happy to present an Association Life Membership to one of our long standing members.

Jim was the club's well respected Treasurer for ten years and still serves on the committee as a trustee. A well deserved award.

Walking Group

On Friday 1^st November members of the walking group caught the train to Sydney to visit "Sculpture by the Sea" at Bondi. After alighting from the train at Martin Place the group caught a bus all the way to Bondi Beach where they spent some time exploring all the wonderful sculptures.

Having seen all the exhibits at Bondi and Tamarama the group walked to Bronte where they had lunch in the park before catching a bus to Central Station and the trip home. The weather was perfect so it was a fascinating day out.

The walking group needs a new leader, please volunteer to keep this popular group going.

November Bus Trip

On the Monday following the walking group's trip to Bondi the club's monthly bus trip visited Chinoiserie Gardens near Mittagong. What a wonderful garden it proved to be, as you can gather from their name they had an evident Chinese influence.

After a good look round the gardens some members took the opportunity to buy plants on sale in the garden nursery before setting off to Mittagong RSL for lunch and a chat. As usual it was a great day out.

Upcoming Events

Friday, 28^th June

The Walking Group will be exploring The Rocks area on Friday. The group will catch a City Circle train to Circular Quay at Town Hall . The weather is looking promising.

As usual the group will meet in the Dapto Railway Station waiting room at about 7.40am to catch the 7.55am Sydney train. If you are late we will be in the second carriage. Please join us, you will be made very welcome.

 

Thursday, 25^th July

Another date for your diary for next month - The Birthday Lunch (doesn't time fly?).

Once again it will be held at Dapto Leagues Club upstairs in the Sinclair Room.

Tickets go on sale at the next meeting - still only $15.

 

All members are welcome to come to the lunch it is great fun, good company and plenty of door prizes. See you there...

Update for Seniors' Week 2013

The week so far...

Wow! what a week so far and it is only Tuesday.

About twenty club members caught the 7.55am train to Sydney (no buses this year?) for the Premier's Gala Concert at the Entertainment Centre.

This year the theme was Live from Studio A

We had pretty good seats.

The lovely Wendy Mathews was a hit, singing some songs of hers from the 1990s

 

Carpet Bowls

The bowls group had a visit from an SBS film crew for a comedy show to be broadcast in September. Talk about fun, they had a lot!

Wally becomes a TV Star.

 

Don't Forget

Wednesday 9.30am - Whist in the laurel Room.

Friday 8.00am - Walking Group; catch the 8.14am train (change at Wollongong) for the Seacliff Bridge Walk.

What fun! Don't miss out.

The Next Walk - 8th March 2013

Neutral Bay to Cremorne Reserve

The group will catch the Neutral Bay ferry and walk from the wharf past May Gibbs' house where, if the group agrees we will pay a visit (entry $5.50). Following this the group will walk through Cremorne Reserve to either Cremorne Point or Old Cremorne wharf there to catch a ferry back to Circular Quay for lunch.

View Neutral Bay to Old Cremorne in a larger map

As usual the group will meet in the waiting room at Dapto Station at about 7.40am to catch the 7.55am Sydney train. If you are late look in the second carriage. See you there?

The Next Meeting - 28th February 2013

The meeting starts promptly at 10.30 am

Don't forget to come early:

• Buy your raffle tickets to win one of three $10 prizes.
• Book a computer lesson
• Get your name down for one of the hit shows booking this year.
• Get your tea/coffee and biscuits.
• Have a look for a bargain on the trade table.
• Pick up a copy of The Senior Newspaper and/or The Voice when they are available.

During the meeting there will be the usual short reports about the various activities the club offers its members and you are able to bring up matters of interest to members during General Business - don't be afraid to speak up if there is something that concerns you, this is YOUR club.

The meeting finishes between 11 and 11.30am.

New members are most welcome to come along and find out about the club, there is a short newsletter available for new or potential members at the raffle/signing in table which details coming events and contact details for the various group leaders. Please take one.

Bus Trips

The next bus trip is to Parklea and Flemington markets on Sunday 3^rd March. There are a few seats left so get to the meeting early before they are all snapped up. A ticket is only $10pp.

The February bus trip to Cobbitty Winery and The Campbelltown Art Centre was a great success with some members taking part in a filmed Art Event while others contented themselves with admiring the works on display and walking round the Japanese Garden and outdoor sculpture exhibition, it was great fun. Lunch was taken next door at the Campbelltown Catholic Club - a great favourite with the bus trip participants.

Walking Group

Due to the inclement weather the walk to Berry Island was abandoned and the walking group instead visited the Museum of Sydney which had a couple of special exhibitions; one about the artist Margaret Olley and the other the old Sydney Stadium.

The visit commenced with a terrific half hour guided tour of the Museum by an enthusiastic member of the staff after which we were able to browse at our own pace. Even at lunch time when the group left they had not seen everything so members will be going back individually to see the rest of what is a fascinating museum - well worth a visit.

Stay Smart On Line

This government website sends you an email warning about scams and frauds. You register your email address at their web site:

Stay Smart on Line < Click Here

Look for the Alert Service Link. Definitely worth a visit.

The Next Walk - 22nd February 2013

Visit Berry Island Reserve

A walk we have not done before! We attempted it last year but it was after heavy rain and the path was far too waterlogged to be safely attempted. If it is too wet on the day then we will try another walk instead.

The total distance of this walk is about 3km and undoubtedly involves a hill from the waterfront to Waverton Station but we will take that part very easy.

View Wollstonecraft to Waverton in a larger map

As usual the group will meet in the Dapto Railway Station waiting room at about 7.40am to catch the 7.55am Sydney train. If you are late we will be in the second carriage. Please join us, you will be made very welcome.

The Next Walk - 8th Feb 2013

Martin Place to NSW Art Gallery

The next walk is in Sydney, the group will catch the train to Martin Place Railway Station and walk down to Circular Quay and the Opera House.

The group will continue around the harbour on the edge of the Botanic Garden to Mrs Macquaries Chair then continue on with views of the Garden Island navy base across the water until the Art Gallery of NSW. Hopefully everybody will make a short visit to the Art Gallery before having their own lunch in The Domain.

After lunch by cutting through the Sydney Eye Hospital it is only a short distance to Martin Place Railway Station and the train home.

As usual the group will meet in the waiting room at Dapto Station at about 7.40am to catch the 7.55am Sydney train. If you are late look in the second carriage. See you there?

 

View Mrs Macquaries Chair and Domain Walk in a larger map

Note: this map still shows lunch at Circular Quay, this is incorrect, as stated above we are taking a packed lunch to have in the Domain but a stop for coffee will be made probably in Martin Place or Circular Quay.

Walking Group - 19th October 2012

A Great Day Out

We walk from Bondi to Bronte beach

As usual the group met at Dapto Station for the trip to Sydney. We travelled to Martin Place where we caught a 380 bus in Elizabeth St to Bondi Beach. This was done in preference to going to Bondi Junction and catching a bus from there - experience had taught us that from there the bus would be crowded.

Why would the bus be crowded? We were going to see Sculpture by the Sea, that wonderful art exhibition in a beautiful setting overlooking the Pacific Ocean. It had only opened the day before.

We arrived in good time and made our way to the exhibition and spent a fascinating time looking at the many exhibits in the main 'arena' in Marks Park on top of the cliffs. We then followed the path to Tamarama Beach pausing to examine the many art works displayed along the way. At Tamarama we said goodbye to the sculpture and continued on along the coastal walk to Bronte Beach where we only waited a few minutes for a bus to take us to Bondi Junction.

At the rail/bus interchange we had sufficient time to grab a bite to eat before catching the train back to Dapto. What a terrific day out, wouldn't be dead for quids!

The walking group is still looking for a new leader to co-ordinate our activities, so please, if you are interested in this role, put your hand up you will be made very welcome. In the meantime our next walk will be announced at the club's meeting on the 25th October, perhaps you have a suggestion? be sure to speak up.

View Bondi Beach to Bronte in a larger map

Why not join us? we always have a good time.

Walking Group - 5th September

Watsons Bay to New South Head Road

The walking group will be going to Watsons Bay again but this time instead of following an old favourite walk to South Head and the Hornby Lighthouse we will be walking south along the cliffs from The Gap past the Macquarie Lighthouse. The weather forecast is looking good so expect spectacular views over the Pacific Ocean.

The outward trip will be by ferry from Circular Quay with the return by bus to either Bondi Junction or Martin Place.

As usual the group will meet in the Dapto Railway Station waiting room at about 7.40am to catch the 7.55am Sydney train. If you are late we will be in the second carriage. Please join us, you will be made very welcome.

View Watsons Bay to Vaucluse in a larger map

Walking Group - 7th September 2012

Mosman Wharf to Taronga Wharf

The next walk will again take us along the foreshore of the beautiful Sydney Harbour through some lovely reserves with spectacular views. The first part of the walk includes steps up from the wharf level to street level but is otherwise pretty easy.

As usual the group will meet in the Dapto Railway Station waiting room at about 7.40am to catch the 7.55am Sydney train. If you are late we will be in the second carriage. Please join us, you will be made very welcome.

View Mosman to Taronga Zoo in a larger map

27th July - Cockatoo Island

The 2012 Biennale of Sydney

On Friday the 27th July the walking group met at Dapto Railway Station to travel to Sydney. On this occasion the group were visiting the Biennale Exhibition on Cockatoo Island.

The train took the group to Martin Place Station where they walked down to Circular Quay for breakfast. After the small meal they caught a ferry to the island.

The exhibits were scattered throughout the various buildings, some of the art was much enjoyed by the group, some just confused, while other pieces left them bemused. Whatever their reaction everybody enjoyed wandering about this old industrial site taking in the sights and sounds.

The group had bought their own lunch which was eaten overlooking the harbour on a glorious winter's day, the weather was perfect.

After exploring the island and visiting as many of the exhibits as possible the group returned to the wharf to catch the ferry back to Circular Quay where they, once again, returned to Martin Place for the train back to Dapto. Everybody had an enjoyable day and decided to return in two years time.

Mrs Macquarie’s Chair

Friday 29th June

Turned out to be a lovely day for a very pleasant walk through the Domain then around the harbour shoreline past Mrs Macquaries Chair and the Opera House.

At the completion of the walk the group had a relaxed lunch at Circular Quay before strolling to Martin Place Station for the return journey to Dapto.

Why not join us for our next walk on the 13th July?

More Dates for Your Diary

It's Concert Time Again

Monday, 14^th May 2012

It's Mothers' Day so naturally the CPSA Dapto Seniors' entertainment group will kick off their season with a great concert to which everybody is invited.

The group always provides a varied program of songs and skits as well as the opportunity for everyone to join in with a singalong.

After the concert there are tea, coffee and sandwiches as well as a monster raffle with dozens of magnificent prizes.

The concert starts at 1.30pm in the Hall at Heininger House next to the Ribbonwood Centre right in the heart of Dapto. Make sure you arrive in plenty of time to get the best seat in the house.

See you there...

Walking Group

Friday, 18^th May 2012

This week the walk will once again provide beautiful views of the harbour as the group explores Balls Head on Sydney Harbour's northern shore.

As always new members or potential members are very welcome to join us. It costs nothing more than the Pensioner Excursion Ticket and your lunch so do come along.

View Ball's Head Walk in a larger map

As usual the group will meet in the Dapto Railway Station waiting room at about 7.40am to catch the 7.55am Sydney train. If you are late we will be in the second carriage. Please join us, you will be made very welcome.

It's a Busy Week!

Mothers' Day Lunch

Thursday 3^rd May 2012

As well as our usual activities this week Dapto Leagues Club is the venue for our first lunch of the year. The Sinclair Room will open at 11.30am for our meal at commencing at Noon.

Remember to write your name on the back of your ticket so you can benefit from the massive raffle we always have after the meal. We hope you win, but if you don't never mind you will have had a delicious meal and enjoyed good company. Look forward to seeing you there.

Walking Group

To help get rid of those calories from the Mothers' Day Lunch the walking group will be exploring parts of Parramatta on Friday 4^th May 2012. The group will take the ferry from Circular Quay to Parramatta then walk along the river for a while before visiting Experiment Farm Cottage:

Experiment Farm cottage stands on the site of the first land grant in Australia, made in 1789 by Governor Phillip to the former convict James Ruse. By 1791 Ruse had successfully farmed the 30 acre site as an experiment in self-sufficiency, proving that a new settler could feed and shelter his family with relatively little assistance to get started. The Indian-style bungalow there today was built by Surgeon John Harris, who purchased the land from Ruse in 1793 for £ 40. It is thought to have been built by c1835. It is one of Australia’s oldest standing properties and features in an 1837 sketch and subsequent watercolour by Conrad Martens.

Entry is only $5 concession. Afterwards we will walk to the shopping centre for our lunch before catching the train back to Central Station and home.

As usual the group will meet in the Dapto Railway Station waiting room at about 7.40am to catch the 7.55am Sydney train. If you are late we will be in the second carriage. Please join us, you will be made very welcome.

View Parramatta Walk in a larger map

20th April - Walking Group

Darling Harbour Revisited

Wow! What a busy week for club members.

The day after the picnic the walking group will be making another visit to Darling Harbour and the Maritime Museum. Why don't you join us?

This time the group is determined to fully explore the Maritime Museum and will be heading there directly from Town Hall Railway Station. Our last visit to Darling Harbour was during Seniors' Week when we had intended to visit the 'free' exhibits at the museum but discovered that now it was only $10 for a concession ticket to visit everything including the ships moored alongside in the harbour (see earlier Blog). So that is the plan

As usual the group will meet in the Dapto Railway Station waiting room at about 7.40am to catch the 7.55am Sydney train. If you are late we will be in the second carriage. Please join us, you will be made very welcome.

Dapto Seniors' Walking Group

A Slight Change of Plan

As planned Dapto Seniors' Walking group arrived at Wollstonecraft Railway Station successfully on a warm and sunny autumn day and attempted the walk via Berry Island to Waverton. Unfortunately the torrential rain of the previous few days had made the track very muddy and after a quick reconnaissance it was decided that discretion was the better part of valour so the group returned to the railway station.

What to Do?

After quick discussion it was decided to take the next train to Milsons Point and walk across the Harbour Bridge. The group has done this popular walk a few times before however one member present had missed those trips so it being such a lovely day it was an easy decision to walk it once again.

The Bridge

We stopped for a coffee at one of the Milsons Point shops before climbing the staircase to the footpath. As usual the views captivated everybody as we walked across.

At the staircase on the southern end of the bridge it was decided to continue on the Cahill Expressway to Government House and see if we could get tickets for a guided tour of the vice regal house. When we arrived we were in luck and obtained tickets for a 1pm tour only half an hour later which gave us time to eat our lunch.

The tour was very interesting with the guide putting an emphasis on the personalities who had been governors over the preceding 200 years. The guide also gave an interesting but brief talk on the previous buildings used as Government House before the construction of the present one.

After the tour we walked to Martin Place Railway Station where we arrived with minutes to spare for the train back to Dapto.

Everybody agreed that it had been a very enjoyable and successful day.

24th February - Walking Group

The next walk on the Friday 24th February is a new one made possible by the inclusion of the light rail in the Pensioner Excursion ticket.

The Dapto Seniors' walking group will catch the light rail at Central Railway Station after a short morning tea break and travel to the Rozelle Bay Tram Stop.

We will follow the route outlined below enjoying the views of the bay and the ANZAC Bridge as we make our way to finish at either the Wentworth Park or the Fish Market tram stop. A decision about this will be made on the day. You can bring your own lunch or purchase something along the way (perhaps at the fish markets?).

The distance of the walk is about 3 Km.

View Rozelle to Wentworth Park in a larger map

As usual the group will meet in the Dapto Railway Station waiting room at about 7.40am to catch the 7.55am Sydney train. If you are late we will be in the second carriage. Please join us, you will be made very welcome.

10th February - Walking Group

The next walk on the 10th February is an old favourite walking from Watsons Bay to South Head with a short additional stroll over to the Gap and the Dunbar memorial.

We will get a ferry from Circular Quay to Watsons Bay and return either by ferry or bus depending on circumstances. Food is available at Watsons Bay (for example Doyle's famous fish and chips) or you can take your own lunch.

As usual the group will meet at Dapto Railway Station waiting room at 7.40am to catch the 7.55 Sydney train.

View Watson's Bay to South Head in a larger map

The walk on the 24th February will be along the shores of Rozelle and Blackwattle Bay. Look out for more details nearer the date.