Activities for over 55s

The aim of Chatty Café Australia is to help connect communities and increase social interactions by getting people chatting – either in their favourite local neighbourhood social venues or while travelling through other Aussie communities to meet the local folk.

Chatty Café is about building friendly social connections – through simple interactions that may brighten someone’s day. Everyone is welcome at our Chatty Café!

Attending the group is free, once you’ve signed up for Centre membership (which is $20 per calendar year).

Chatty Café meets Monday, weekly at Surrey Hills Neighbourhood Centre from 10am-11am, during school term.

Our host Maree will select a movie to watch from the extensive SBS on Demand catalogue for you to watch at home. Then join us in person for a discussion about the film. A great opportunity to connect with others and participate in engaging discussions.

We offer activities including book clubs, cards, cinema, cycling, dressmaking, excursions, footy tipping, golf, walking, theatre/concerts, armchair travel and a men's chat group. Runs on the first Monday of each month from 10 am to 12 pm (noon).

We currently provide 2 services via the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP). A shopping bus to local shopping centres (Forest Hills Chase, Burwood One and Waverley Gardens) on a Monday morning on a weekly rotating basis. Social activities on a Wednesday morning, which may include a meal at a local cafe, an in-house movie, gentle exercises or games activities at Alamein Neighbourhood and Learning. In both cases, eligible participants are picked up by our bus at your door from 10 am onwards and returned home by about 1:30 pm. There is a small charge, currently $5, for using this service. To participate, you must be over 65 years of age, registered with My Aged Care, a Boroondara resident, and be able to independently board our bus. Please contact My Aged Care directly on 1800 200 422 to register and or request an assessment and referral to our services. If you have any general questions, you can contact us for details.

Learn embroidery techniques to sew on patches to mend and disguise holes.

Croquet and gateball are games are played by all genders and ages, using mallets to hit balls through hoops on a grass court. Skills and strategies develop over time, and the club offers four codes to suit social and competitive play. Games are available every day of the week. Try it out with three free training sessions. We supply all equipment and training needed. Flat soled shoes required. After your 3 free sessions, there is a membership fee of $150 per year (our year begins in July - if you join later you will be charged pro rata) and a greens fee of $4 for each day of play.

Learn how to do cryptic crossword puzzles for some fantastic mental exercise! Online sessions via zoom. Two sessions run on Monday. The morning session runs from 10:30 am to 11:30 am and is for participants who have experience doing cryptic crosswords, and the afternoon session runs from 2:30 pm to 3:30 pm and is for participants who have experience doing cryptic crosswords. Cost: $40, and you must be a member to participate ($15 per year for adults).

Decoupage is a decorative and timeless art which originated in Venice in the 18th Century. It follows ancient techniques developed by skilled artisans of the era.

Decoupage is created by using cut-out paper images assembled on an object with a painted background such as, wood, ceramics, glass, eggs, jewellery, and anything else which has a hard surface.

During class you will learn all aspects of Decoupage such as, techniques on how to cut, design, paint, (with brushes and sea sponges) glue, varnish, sand, and how to obtain a beautiful finish.

A challenging cardiovascular class with interval / sprint training using flotation belts. We use the water as resistance to tone, strengthen and burn kilojoules. This is a great way to deal with and prevent injury whilst maintaining fitness levels. Suitable for all levels. Runs on all days except Sundays, see our website for the class time for each day.

We are a club that provides friendship and a range of activities suited to older people who want to join in social activities and meet new friends.

Except for December, our meetings are held on the third Monday of the month from 10 am to 12 pm followed by an optional lunch at a nearby cafe. Cost: please contact the club for details.