ABOUT US:
The day club is for elderly, isolated people in the Ballina area.
MEET-UPS:
The Ballina RSL Lighthouse Day Club meets on Thursday at the Richmond Room Regatta Avenue from 10:00am – 2:00pm with a fee of $3.00p.p. providing morning tea, lunch, mental stimulation, guest speakers, and entertainment.
CONTACT:
Lorraine Fox – (02) 6687 4350 / (0439) 301 249
E-mail: lorraineafox@gmail.com
HISTORY:
In 1999 a feasibility study was conducted in Ballina by the Department of Ageing and Disability to investigate the need for a multi-purpose centre for Ballina. One of the findings from this study was the need for a day program for the frail aged.
A public meeting was held on 2 February 2000 and volunteer training took place in April that year with 25 volunteers enrolled. Mary O’Brien (also a sub-Branch member) was the Coordinator and it was due to her leadership that the Club implemented excellent volunteer practices and management. Mary continues on as a volunteer. Our oldest volunteer is Rhoda Baker at 94 and our longest serving member is Elvie Ikin who started on the 1st day of the clubs opening.
The first day of the new Club on 27 April saw 54 people in attendance. The Ballina RSL Lighthouse Day Club was the first club in the far north coast and since then 11 more clubs have been established from Grafton to Tweed Heads.
The Ballina RSL sub-Branch has always, and continues to be, very supportive of the club, also providing buses for transport for social outings.
