Old age doesn’t mean one stops having fun – as hundreds of sprightly senior citizens proved in Guyra yesterday.
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More than 300 people from around the region came to the 33rd Guyra Seniors’ Aussie Extravaganza, held at the Guyra Community Hall.
The event was a great day out for the elderly, with an award ceremony, visiting dignitaries, school performances, food, and dancing – and a golden wedding anniversary and a couple of birthdays.
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The event was run by Guyra Home Support Services, and sponsored by the Armidale Regional Council.
“It's important for all the seniors to have a day like this to get out there and participate,” mayor Simon Murray said. “I think it's a terrific opportunity for all just to gather in friendship.”
Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall presented awards to senior citizens for outstanding community service: Darrel Taylor, John Mitchell, and Elizabeth McMahon, all of Guyra, for volunteer driving; Evelyn Ramage and Lyn Skinner for social support with Nicholii House; and Richard and Margaret Mills of Armidale.
The Mills were also celebrating their fiftieth wedding anniversary.
“We’ve had a magical life,” Mrs Mills said.
The couple were awarded the Armidale Regional Council Alwyn Jones Community Service award in 2016.
“We get a lot of pleasure out of knowing that we're helping other people who need it,” Mr Mills said.
His wife agreed. “People say fancy doing that, but it's one for the person we help and two for us, because to put a smile on someone's face gives us twice as much pleasure.”
Community service runs in their family. Their daughter, born on their wedding anniversary, was named volunteer of the year by Mackay-Whitsunday Cricket in Brisbane this weekend.
Two guests each turned 96 that day: Beryl Dahlenburgh, from Guyra, and Norma Griffiths, from Armidale.
"Normally I'm really on the go, but you don't stop, you just keep going,” Mrs Dahlenburgh said.
Volunteers from around the community turned out in droves to help, including members of the Lions Club, Nicholii House, the Volunteer Rescue Association, and the State Emergency Service.
Guyra Central School and O’Connor Catholic College helped to serve meals.
Students from Guyra Central and St Mary of the Angels Guyra danced and sang, while Savannah and Sophie Roberts performed a ballet routine.
The senior citizens themselves took to the floor, with Guyra’s Bill and Judy Wicks joining others from around the region in barn dances and the tango.
One woman was in a wheelchair, but her husband steered her around the floor – and the delight on her face was touching.
Here’s to the indomitable oldies!
