Helen helps keep her community connected

After a long career in health and aged care, including years with Queensland Health, in home care services, and later managing two retirement villages, it seems fitting that she now plays a central role in keeping the Calamvale community of National Seniors Australia (NSA) active, informed, and connected.

Helen (who is pictured with NSA CEO, Chris Grice) and her husband, Alan, first became involved with the Calamvale branch, in the southern Brisbane suburbs, through neighbours who encouraged them to “come along and see what it’s all about”.

Four years later, she is not only an enthusiastic member but also the branch’s guest speaker coordinator. It’s a role that combines her organisational ability, her knowledge of seniors’ issues, and her natural instinct for looking after people.

Finding speakers who are engaging, affordable, and relevant is a constant challenge.

“It can be fun, but it can also be the worst part of the job,” Helen said with a laugh. “Some people want to be paid a lot of money, and we just don’t have that. We might cover mileage or something small, but that’s it.”

Still, she has brought in some outstanding guests. She recalls a speaker from The Men’s Table, whose talk was warm and funny.

“He put jokes in, people were laughing, and we had lots of questions at the end. That’s always a good sign.”

Other memorable sessions have come from within the group itself, with members sharing stories of their lives, migrations, hardships, and triumphs.

“Those can be wonderful,” Helen said. “You learn things about people you thought you already knew.”

Helen works hard to keep the program varied. Medical and ageing-related topics are important, but she avoids scheduling too many heavy subjects in a row.

“People don’t want dementia one month, home care the next, and something else medical after that. You need to break it up; something light, something fun, something different.”

The branch itself is thriving, with an impressive average attendance of 95 members at each monthly meeting.

Beyond that, Calamvale branch offers an extensive range of activities: a garden club, quilting group, restaurant outings, women’s and men’s lunches, coffee mornings, and even longer trips away.

“There’s really no excuse not to find something to join in,” Helen said.

Recent outings have included scenic ferry rides, train trips to the Gold Coast, and low-cost day tours – all designed to be affordable, especially during a time when many members are watching their budgets.