SILVER
SALTIES
Nearly four years of Bondi Silver Salties and still going strong. This program
is part of Surf Life Saving Australia’s Silver Salties initiative. It’s a physical
activity and social connections initiative for older Australians, but all ages
are welcome! Bondi SBLSC Silver Salties Walk & Talk was the first Silver Salties
Program in NSW launched on Wednesday 1st July 2020. The program is
important for Members and includes lots of walking, chit-chat, serious talk,
dance, meditation and laughter.
When it started in 2020 it was supported by Government Grant but that is no
longer the case.
July 2023 saw our three year anniversary. We held an event showcasing our
program.
We have very special Members with amazing life stories. This includes, Cyril
Baldock OAM, Club legend and Club Patron, and Octogenarian Cleo Lynch,
former prison and parole officer, and author of a published memoir shared her
stories. “Doc” Peter Quartly, the recipient of the 2023 ‘Best of the Best’ Waverley
Volunteer Award, who also has 60 years of patrolling history at Bondi, shared
his local knowledge. Wendy Power, a volunteer worker with Grandmothers For
Refugees NSW spoke also. Andrew and Thanh Nguyen shared their story of
coming here from Vietnam. Septuagenarian Margaret Wilby, who was a water
polo player for NSW, and a swimmer often beating women much younger
than herself, spoke about her swim history.
This season we had 51 Members for Walk & Talk, 32 for Zumba and 9 for
volunteering roles. Our Members have also helped the Club by volunteering
their time at Xmas day lunch, BBQ and at the Bondi Blue Water Challenge. A
few of us also get together on Zoom to do meditation.
Regular emails using the SLSA portal keep everyone updated.
In the winter, I am still hoping to do a swim program at an indoor pool, and
another first aid awareness program. It’s good to see the program growing
over time to provide a range of fun activities. It’s very rewarding to see
everyone become fitter and form social connections.
Rozanne Green
Program Lead
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117TH ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT 2023/24