LaoLaiLe Chinese Senior Social Centre held their opening ceremony at the Parish Hall of St Peter’s Anglican Church on Whitehorse Road, Box Hill. After a month of preparation for this event, the Chinese Nurse Association Australia successfully gathered more than 300 seniors from around Victoria to celebrate the Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival together. It was truly wonderful to see such a packed hall.
Most of the seniors who came to attend have a great connection with us here at Chinese Nurse Association Australia and they often seek help and assistance from our volunteers. They have learnt a lot about various health topics from our Community Learning Program and understand the various types of help that is available to support their senior years. The seniors were excited that there is this establishment of a social group that can support their social connections and keep them active within the community.
This event was made successful thanks to our dedicated volunteer team. They diligently assisted with decorating the hall and to ensure all the attendants were comfortable and enjoyed themselves. We also prepared a light lunch, dessert and fruits to share with all.
Also, a heartfelt thanks to our sponsors of the day, Tianshi Care Australia Group’s representative, Rose shared an emotional speech about her difficulties living in Australia. There were many emotions shared and we are grateful that they can connect with us to host such a grand gathering to support the enhancing of the senior community’s lifestyle.
In addition, we would like to thank the Victoria Soong Ching Ling Foundation and the J&R
Global for their strong support and assistance. Thanks to Julia and President Lin for leading a large number of volunteers and performers to support our aim and vision to support the senior community. Chinese Nurse Association Australia had the opportunity to show colourful performances and to give the attendants the change to enjoy the beauty of traditional Chinese art and dance.
Due to the unexpected number of interested parties, we decided to open a Chinese Senior Social Group that will meet every Friday at Box Hill. We are confident that this group will reach out and support many seniors from the community giving them the chance to come together to socialise, share interest and to connect with the community hence maintaining their independence and active lifestyles.
We hope that every Friday at 10:00am, we can meet the senior community at LaoLaiLe and to share many memories and happy moments.
The group is available for over 65 year olds and the membership is $15 annually. This membership will cover all organised activities.
老來樂華人長者活動中心在Box Hill 的白馬市市政廳旁的教堂會場中隆重開幕！澳大利亞華人護士協會在經過一個月的籌備工作，成功地聚集了來自維州四面八方的長者們，現場人數超過
300人，與我們一同慶祝中秋節及老來樂活動中心的開張大點，現場的場面可說是空前絕後，座無虛席。
大多數前來參加的長者都與護士協會有著很好的關係，他們經常得到護士協會的幫助，並通過護士協會了解到了許多福利政策，並向政府申請“政府補貼的居家養老”等，同時也有許多生面孔因為期望了解更多醫療、健康、護理及福利知識，所以趁這次的活動，好好認識澳大利亞華人護士協會及我們創辦的健康活動娛樂的場所，為以後的社交生活做打算。
當然，這次的活動能夠圓滿落幕，都得歸功於我們的志工團隊們，是他們忙進忙出，設置場地
並確保每位年長的叔叔阿姨都可以享用到澳大利亞華人護士協會準備的午餐、甜點及水果。
也感謝天使養老護理集團閻董事的感性致詞，讓在場的聽眾想到自己在澳大利亞生活中所面臨的困難，都不禁紅了眼眶，並感謝有這樣一個富有愛心的組織，落實社區年長者的關懷及照護，期望有更多年長者們，能夠與天使養老集團有更多的接觸，提升在澳大利亞的養老生活品質。
另外，還得特別感謝“維多利亞宋慶齡基金會”及“中華聯誼會”的大力支持和援助，因為王冠（Julia）主席以及林會長帶領大量義工和“黑土地藝術團”的表演團，為我們的活動助興，澳大利亞華人護士協會才有機會呈現多采多姿的文藝表演，使各位在場的老年人們興高采烈的欣賞中華傳統藝術的美，也留下許多美麗的照片來回憶。
從這次超乎預期的參與人數更可以看出長者們想要出門玩，參與社區活動的渴望，這也迎合了我們開辦老年社區中心的信念：為長者們提供活動場地，讓他們每週五都有社區活動可以參加。這次的活動經驗也把我們想要把這活動中心搞大的信心更加堅固了！到時，還需要各位叔叔阿姨們的大力支持！
希望每週五早上10:00都可以在老來樂華人長者活動中心看到你們的燦爛笑容。
65歲以上的長者們，一年只需要繳交$15的會員費就可以免費參加“老來樂”舉辦的任何活動。
