Elizabeth House - 30 years young
Published on 24 October 2023
Around a 100 people gathered at Elizabeth House on 17 October to celebrate its 30th birthday.
Elizabeth House opened in October 1993 as a community venue for those aged 50 years and over. With Wakefield House, it is one of two positive ageing centres in the City of Onkaparinga.
Nearly 11,000 people came to the centre in 2022-23, taking part in art and craft, fitness, games, singing, woodwork, social groups and peer-support groups. The kitchen dished up 9,312 fresh and frozen meals during the year.
Councillor Gretel Wilkes welcomed everyone and said the centre’s success and welcoming environment could be attributed to its dedicated staff and great volunteers.
She presented life memberships – the first ever – to four people who had made significant contributions to the centre over many years: June Dewar, Tony Gallas, Rosemary Millard and Daniel Taylor.
Recognition awards were also presented to four volunteers for milestone years of service to the centre: Jonny Luthaus (five years), Daniel Taylor (10 years), Ray McGough (15 years) and Rob McGough (20 years).
Guests celebrated the 30th birthday with scones and jam, displays of plants, vegetables and crafts produced at the centre, songs from the Shedtastics choir, and lashings of birthday cake.
But perhaps the best indicator of how Elizabeth House is loved are the comments of the guests. Here’s what they had to say…
Ruby: “My daughter-in-law said that what I really wanted was someone to talk to, and she was right, so I came along. The thing I value most is the friendliness, because everyone is very friendly and we always have a laugh. Aye, they always make you feel welcome and go out of their way to help us. It’s a happy wee club.”
Joe: “I used to play golf and then come and pick up Ruby from carpet bowls at Elizabeth House. I got bitten by the bug and gave up golf and started carpet bowls here. The people are friendly, sociable and we always have a good laugh.”
Pam: “I am a volunteer. The best thing is teaching people how to do things, like diamond dot art. It’s especially good teaching the older group and those with disability or dementia. They really get into it and enjoy it.”
Val: “I’ve been coming for around seven years. The company is the stand-out thing. I live on my own and I have made friends here. We have great fun and I have my main meal here. I also do a lot of the knitting here.”
Betty: “I was sitting at home doing nothing after my husband passed, so I had to get out and meet people again. The companionship is the best thing about Elizabeth House.”
Peter: “I am legally blind and can no longer drive. I found this place and the council’s Social Connections program. Both have made my life worthwhile because without transport, you can be stuck. I looked after my wife with dementia for eight years. There are people with dementia here and I enjoy the fact that everybody is looked at equally and made to feel welcome.”
Daniel: “The best thing? The people. I get them laughing. I’ve been a volunteer here for 10 years. A previous coordinator, Sophie, got me here. I’ve got on well with all of the coordinators and think they’ve all done a great job.”
Tony: “I’m a shed volunteer. I love the whole thing. A previous coordinator, Sophie, made this volunteering experience the best I’ve had. And we get lots of great volunteers here.”
Iris: “I’m very new. I don’t cook for myself. My husband always did the cooking because I was always down to London. If I cook meat, it burns. So I come here and it’s the only place where the vegetables and meat are properly and beautifully cooked. And the vegetables come from Elizabeth House’s own garden.”
Margaret: “The best things about Elizabeth House are the love and friendship. It’s a very encompassing place for everybody. It doesn’t matter your talents or disabilities. Everyone is welcome.”
Elizabeth House: https://www.onkaparingacity.com/
Monday to Friday, 9am-4pm
112 Elizabeth Road, Christie Downs
Phone: 8384 5170
Wakefield House: https://www.onkaparingacity.com/
Monday to Friday, 9am-4pm
112 Elizabeth Road, Christie Downs
Phone: 8384 5170
Images from top
Always having a laugh: Ruby and Joe
The three amigos: Pam, Val and Betty
No cribbing the welcome: Peter, Daniel and Tony
The joys of food and art: Iris and Margaret