By VANESSA VALENZUELA
A NORTH SUNSHINE seniors and social club is encouraging residents to get up, get active and meet new people in 2013.
The St Bernadette Seniors and Social Club Inc is a not-for-profit organisation that organises a number of different outings and events for Brimbank residents.
The club was formed in 1992 by Joe Vella, Joe Camilleri and current club president Alfred Zahra and was originally known as the ‘Maltese Senior Citizens Club’.
“We thought we would start the group in those days purely because there were so many Maltese people in this particular area so we wanted to try and organise something for them,” Mr Zahra said.
In 1995 ‘Maltese’ was dropped from the name and later ‘Social Club’ was added to attract all members of the St Bernadette parish.
The club now boasts almost 400 members who come from different suburbs across the municipality and celebrates their multicultural backgrounds.
Mr Zahra said some of the club’s social activities include bingo nights, barbeques, picnics, cruises and recently members went on a trip to Europe.
“Most of them are in the same position, which is they want to go overseas but they wouldn’t want to do it alone. However they would go in a group,” Mr Zahra said.
Social organiser and Treasurer Valerie Buttigieg said the club welcomes all Brimbank residents and is always on the lookout for new volunteers.
“The people of North Sunshine and the parish are quite elderly. You have to keep them going and active and give them something to look forward to,” she said.
“You want to have that sense of belonging and our group of volunteers always want to help.”
The St Bernadette Seniors and Social Club celebrates its 21st anniversary this month and the group is hoping to raise funds for World Youth Day.
Residents who are interested in becoming a member or sponsor can contact Valerie on 0402 136 585.
