Best wishes for twenty more!
There are three core elements of social connectedness: socialising, social support, and sense of belonging.(1)
For older people, these needs become more crucial in avoiding the narrowing effect of retired life. Occasions for meeting up, going on outings and keeping abreast of what’s happening in the world are a vital part of staying fit and healthy, physically and mentally.
Good opportunities for social connectedness in the community usually come about as a result of the generosity and determination of a few enthusiastic individuals who have the necessary get-up-and-go attitude.
Meet one of those keen people, John McGuire, an energetic guy with a friendly smile and sharp wit. He’s been retired for some time now, having replaced a busy professional life with all the recreational and travel activities he enjoys, along with a keen public-spirited commitment to community service for the benefit of retirees.
For many years, John has been involved in leadership with the Auckland Rotary Club, the Ranfurly Veterans Trust (following his time in the New Zealand Army) and Friendship Force International, so he appreciated from personal experience the value and importance of confraternity in the circulation of welfare and goodwill in our communities; working together is the foundation of making ‘general good’ in society.
When he retired, it was no surprise that John instituted negotiations with his Rotary club to establish a new chapter of Probus, the Rotary offshoot organisation formed to meet the social and intellectual needs of retired business people and professionals. The new Probus club would be a place for camaraderie, fellowship and intellectual exchange at a time of life when the demands and responsibilities of working life have been abruptly curtailed.
With his friend and late colleague Ron McGregor, they became the first convenors of the new club which was duly chartered in September 2001 and a cohort of fifty founding members came aboard.
A 20th anniversary celebration was held recently at the clubrooms of the Herne Bay Petanque Club where the club’s regular monthly meetings are held.
The celebration had been delayed as a result of pandemic restrictions, but never mind, it's a new year and a new breeze blows; the club has reconvened with its first speaker of the year and a cake cutting ceremony to mark the occasion.
Six of the original founding members from 2002 are still active members, four of whom are seen below assisting at the cutting of the cake.
If you think you would enjoy getting together with other like-minded retirees for new experiences and friendships, contact Rosie Armstrong on 09 486 5181, or email rosiearm@xtra.co.nz
Check out these sites on the value of social connectedness, one from New Zealand and one from Australia.
www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/Strong-relationships-strong-health#bhc-content
(1) From 2018 report commissioned by the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) as part of the Families and Whānau Wellbeing Research Programme.
#ponsonbynews #iloveponsonby #ponsonby #auckland #aucklandshippestrip #onlyponsonby #ponsonbyroad #Greylynn #freemansbay #westmere #ponsonby #hernebay #stmarysbay #archhill #family #friends #coxsbay #probus
Published 4 February 2022