HUNGARIANS in the City of Maribyrnong now have their own club, the Tiszavirag Hungarian Senior Citizens Club at Anglish Senior Centre in Footscray.
Club president Veronika Boros said the club’s name referred to Hungary’s river Tisza – the second longest river in Hungary.
“Traditionally locals gather by the river to marvel at the Mayfly, ‘flowers’ blooming on the river’s surface,” she said.
Mrs Boros previously ran a club for Hungarian seniors in Brimbank but retired as president to open the Footscray-based group.
She said the 30-member club in Footscray would take part in activities such as exercise, playing cards, snooker, singing, dancing and sitting down to a traditional lunch.
“We will also have long talks,” she said.
“It is important for people as they get older to get together and speak their language.”
She said most older Hungarians learnt English when they were young and as they aged found that they fell into a pattern of speaking Hungarian more.
Mrs Boros has lived in Australia for the past 40 years – in Hawthorn, Avondale Heights, Maribyrnong and now Footscray.
Mrs Boros said she was very proud to be an Australian.
“At the time I left Hungary, they had a very difficult time there, everyone wants to have a better life – when you are born somewhere you never forget that. I am very proud to be an Australian, I have found my place here,” she said.
Mrs Boros said once a month club members would also visit a regional event around the state or go to different parks for a barbecue.
She said the club was formed to prevent isolation and depression and to let the Hungarian community know that they were loved and appreciated.
“If we did not have the club people become stuck in their house,” she said.“We are not moving around as much as when we were young and people don’t want to drive far.”
New members are welcome and they should contact Ms Boros on 9689 0176.
