2025 Social Activity Stories

AGM/Lunch 1/8/25

Our member’s Annual AGM and Lunch was held on Friday 1st August at the Cardiff RSL Club, with 31 members attending, with 26 staying on for lunch.

Outgoing President Barry Keen welcomed members to the AGM/Lunch and then read the Minutes of the 2024 AGM as well as the Presidents report, updating members of the activities and happenings of ComputerPals during the past year. Mention was made of the Club’s connection with the Good Things Foundation and Be Connected classes, along with the regular classes held at Club Lambton, Wallsend and Adamstown Libraries. The Get Online Week activities provided much interest, along with the Club’s Morning Teas and Guest Speakers. Treasurer Grahame King then gave his report, followed by Education (Sandra Keen via recording) and Technical (Judy Wallace).

It was then time for Returning Officer Marj Stanton to declare all committee positions vacant and called for nominations for all these positions. As both the President and Vice President had served their 4-year terms, a special clause in the Club’s constitution had to be voted on to enable them to stand for an additional 12 months if required. With no new nominations for any positions and all existing committee members re-nominated, the existing committee was duly elected. In General Business, Wendy Smith has again taken on the additional role of Public Officer, while current Membership and Class fees were confirmed for 2025/26. Wendy then reminded members of the Club’s 25th Anniversary Lunch and the need to submit their attendance forms early.

Formalities over, it was then time to sample the culinary delights of the Club eatery and enjoy a chinwag with fellow members.

PS: Don’t forget the next Special Social Occasion, our Club’s 25th Anniversary Lunch to be held on Friday 29th August at the Cardiff RSL Club (you should have all received an email with details)  – mark your diaries, and if attending, please send in your acceptance form and payment before 21st August deadline. Click this link to register >>> ComputerPals Newcastle 25th Anniversary lunch 

Morning Tea 21/7/25

Fine weather beckoned on Monday 21st July for our Club’s mid-season Morning Tea.

Due to a planned power outage/upgrade, Club Lambton was unavailable on that day, so ‘big brother’ Club Charlestown came to the rescue. With an excellent rollup of some 85 members and guests, President Barry opened proceedings with a welcome to all and then introduced the guest speaker, Mr. Gil Gordon (RI Advice Group) who is a multi-award winning financial advisor and estate planning specialist. With the aid of a power point presentation, Gil explained the need to ensure we all as seniors had our affairs in order, especially important in the event of our passing or that of our partner/family member. A thorough and well documented explanation was given of the somewhat complex laws concerning Enduring Power of Attorney, Wills, Enduring Guardianship and Advanced Health Directives, not to mention various Trusts. An animated discussion and questions followed, indicating the strong interest in this important subject.

It was then time to change pace a little, with morning tea/coffee and a tasty offering of slices, cakes etc. served, giving a chance for those present to mingle, have a chat and catch-up. Treasurer Grahame was on hand to enable the payment of annual m

Lakeside Village Tavern, Raymond Terrace.

Our first social outing for 2025 was a lunch date at the Lakeside Village Tavern, Raymond Terrace.

Under somewhat cloudy skies, 23 members turned up for a luncheon at this sprawling establishment, just a ‘stone’s throw’ from Grahamstown Dam, some arriving early for refreshments of either the alcoholic or caffeine variety. However, all were present when it was time to place lunch orders. Included in the group were 2 visitors from the UK (Anthony and Xue Allen), currently spending a little recreation time with hosts Barry and Sandra Keen before continuing on with the business part of their trip. Special thanks also to Fred Neal for chauffeuring Roland Millbank and Allen Chang for doing the same for Beryl and I.

With much chatter around the long table set aside for our group, the meals were heartily consumed with little left, testament to the quality (and value) of the fare on offer. Most, if not all of those present appeared happy with the choice of venue and services on offer, with the only ‘dampener’ being the rain falling as we departed.

Brenton Elsey
Social Secretary
0438 997 310
https://www.computerpals.org.au
computerpals2010@gmail.com

Seniors Festival Morning Tea

77 people attended our Seniors Festival morning tea. There was great participation in the chair exercises. Everyone was then shown a number of game apps to put on their phones or tablets. These are to stimulate the mind and can be played anywhere, anytime.

Here are some photos of the event and at the Newcastle Council Expo AT McDonald Jones Stadium.