By PSS | Posted: Wednesday December 20, 2017
The so-called ‘Over 60s’ Coffee Club in Gore is accurate in its name; not only are the members of this popular coffee group all aged over 60, but at times up to 60 of them turn up to the monthly get togethers.
With bustling energy, the group crowds into the respective venues each month for their catch ups, chatting and laughing and simply enjoying each other’s company.
The coffee group, coordinated by Enliven’s SupportLink Gore coordinator Patricia OfficerYoung, has grown immensely since it originated six years ago.
Patricia put an advert in The Ensign, asking if there would be interest in a regular coffee group for seniors in Eastern Southland.
Thirteen people turned up to the first one, and from there it simply grew…
And grew…
And grew.
Now, there are more than 70 on the mailing list and usually between 40 and 50 people turn up to the monthly catch ups where they enjoy a hot drink and morning tea. The group quickly outgrew its original meeting places, and now meets at either the Gore Town and Country Club, the Gore Racecourse, the RSA or The Falls Hotel in Mataura on the third Wednesday of every month.
Dawn Olson, who was at the very first get together, said it was simply a good way to see old friends and to make new ones.
“Over the years I suppose we’ve all just told friends, and then when we turn up the next month there’s more people there,” she says.
“You’ve got to be over 60 to join – most of us are well and truly over that – but there is no criteria, anyone can come along. Patricia organises the venues and the newsletters; we just turn up and have a good time.”
Sally and John Hannabus say it is nice to be able to come along as a couple.
“It’s really informal and that’s what people like about it,” Sally says.
“John didn’t come initially, but it’s really nice to be able to come along as a couple. I bring my elderly sister-in-law occasionally; she’s 96 so she doesn’t always have the energy to come but she does come occasionally.”
Patricia says it’s simply a pleasure to offer something so positive and popular for the community in Eastern Southland, and she has been amazed by the way it has grown.
“We could do with more men, that would be really good,” she says.
Rides can be arranged for those requiring transport and the cost is $8 per person, which covers a hot drink and morning tea.
Get Involved
To find out more about the SupportLink Gore 60+ Coffee Club please contact SupportLink Gore Coordinator Patricia Officer Young at POfficerYoung@enlivensld.nz or phone 03 208 9440.