Social Events
Meet and Greet Night
The next Members Meet and Greet night will be held on Monday April 12, 20010 at 7.30pm-9.00pm. Join Brian and Victoria and some of the Green Apple Team in a social setting, listen to a guest speaker and share some nibblies and beverages.
Healthy Eating Support Group Meeting
previous participants of the Healthy Eating and Active LIfestyle Course meet on a regular basis throughout the year to provide each other with support, ideas and a helping hand to keep each other on track with their exercise and eating habits. If you have done the Healthy Eating Course before and would like to be refreshed on the information in the course, or to get yourself back on track this is a great, friendly way to start.
Next Dates for the support group meetings are:
At 9am:
TBA
At 7pm:
TBA
If you are interested in attending let us know at Reception for more details.
Steady Steps
Steady Steps is a falls prevention programme developed in conjuction with Queensland Health. Improves balance, co-ordination and strength with the emphasis on fun -- combining guest speakers with gentle exercise.
8 Week Course
When: Thursday at 1.30pm--2.00pm
Cost: $88.00
Guest Speakers
TBA
Every year the Green Apple Social Committee orgainses a tour
in 2007, to vietnam from May 18 to May 30,
in 2008, to New Zealand for 21 days
in 2009, Darwin to Broome trip June 12 - June 26
The story of Darwin to Broome
Amazing!! That is the only word for our great adventure in the Kimberley’s. Amazing Judy; who organised our trip to perfection; who fed us wonderful food in the middle of nowhere with seeming ease. I cannot thank her enough for the best holiday ever. Amazing Rob, our driver who did all he could to make our holiday special. Who looked after his vehicle so well that we only suffered one flat tyre at the end of the trip when we were nearly into Broome. Even that was fun; we had a great time on the side of the road behaving like vagabonds.Amazing Stiena, Rob’s offsider who was just so kind and thoughtful. We were sorry to say goodbye to her at the end of the trip. She is German, travelling around Australia; we hope she will get in touch when she hits Queensland.
Darwin was our first stop; from where we travelled to Litchfield National Park and Kakadu on two day trips. What amazing places they are, how beautiful our wonderful country. My camera never stopped clicking; I ended the trip with 2400 photos on my camera and 60 on Gwen’s as my battery went flat one day. Isn’t that amazing? The highlight of these two days where the amazing jumping crocodiles. I am sure there will be photos around to see soon. Having dinner in Darwin was a real pleasure, the weather was so balmy that eating outside is just lovely, no flies or mosquitoes.
We left Darwin and headed to Pine Creek for lunch and then on to the amazing Katherine Gorge. Words just cannot describe how lovely, awesome, peaceful and majestic it was. Our next amazing adventure was at the Victoria River where Pat and I went up in a small, small helicopter; no doors and flew along the river between the high cliff walls. One side was so tropical that you could imagine a dinosaur walking out from between the tall palms and ferns.
We crossed the border into WA heading for Kununurra via Lake Argyle. It is huge; we flew over it the next day and got a real idea how big it was. We also saw the Ord River, the Bungle Bungles; now they are amazing. In the afternoon we went to Wyndham to see the amazing Cambridge Gulf where five great rivers meet the sea; the King, Pentecost, Ord, Durack and the Forest. From the lookout you could see them all spread before us.
Thursday the 18th was the day of days; we hit the Gibb River Road. For the next 6 days we had ‘Power Plate’ at no extra charge. What an amazing road; corrugations as good as any tin roof. But we all laughed and made fun of it. And it was bearable because it led us to a wonderland of waterfalls, amazing gorges, majestic mountain ranges, lovely old world cattle stations to rest at night and sit around a campfire and listen to Rob play the didgeridoo. Wonderful sunset at Mt Hart were Rob played the sun down. We travelled along the King Leopold Ranges to Windjana Gorge were we walked along the sand with the freshwater crocodiles sunning themselves; amazing. Then on to Tunnel Creek were we scrambled over boulders to get into the tunnel (very dark for me as I forgot to take of my sunglasses) going on till we came to the place where the roof had fallen in, the light there was beautiful. The amazing Dawn made this walk with us, what a wonder woman.
Then we got to Derby, civilisation, sort of. We had a fun night out for dinner at the local pub the ‘Spinny’ I think! We had a Frenchman take our orders, his first day, and we confused him no end. Then a little Japanese or Korean girl who could speak little English tried to help, what a laugh. Ordering drinks was just as funny. It was a lovely meal though and a fun night. Back to our lodge for ‘drinks on the terrace’ inviting the next door neighbours to join us so we would not disturb them. Nice Italian couple who got on famously with Cora at breakfast. Judy was in seventh heaven because she had a huge kitchen to organise the food in.
Then it was on to Broome. The place of Pearls and amazingly the airport in the middle of town. The first night Linda, Jenny and I walked into town and could not believe it when a Qantas jet flew by. Try as I might I could not get a photo of a plane landing; there were plenty, but I missed every time, it was Linda’s fault, she never gave me enough warning. What fun we had with those planes, can anyone spot the tourists?
We had a day trip to Cape Leveque, amazing wild place. We stopped at this lovely white church at Beagle Bay, an Aboriginal settlement, they look after it so well. It was so peaceful inside and so refreshing to have a moment to kneel and pray and give thanks for our safe journey. Back to Broome to see the sun set on Cable Beach with nibbles and wine; thanks to the amazing Judy. Broome has a character all of its own, different to anything I have ever seen in Australia.
Last stop Perth, what a lovely city, pity about the weather. Linda and I had a great afternoon in Fremantle while the others caught up with friends and family. We had a day trip to Margaret River, wine tasting, cheese tasting and chocolate tasting along the way.
In amongst the travel and site seeing we had an amazing time of friendship and laughter. To all my fellow travellers I say thank you for memories that will always be with me. (Plus 2400 photos)
I have heard that Judy Watters is organising another trip just like this one for August. So if you can get away I would recommend it. All Australians should see the Kimberley’s; it is God’s creation at its most beautiful and pristine and seeing it gives you a better understanding as to why the Aboriginals feel so spiritual about it. Thank you Judy for opening up my horizons.
Joan Gregory
Weekend Escape with your Green Apple buddies
to the stunning Cooloola Coast Region
March 20-21st
cost $245 per person twin share
includes return coach travel
Morning Tea, Lunch and Dinner Saturday
Overnight Twin share accomodation
Breakfast and Lunch Sunday
2 hour journey Valley Rattler Steam Train
Admission to Goldmining and Historical Museum
Dolphin Feeding
Judy Watters to escort the tour
An expereinced local guide to join the tour in Gympie for the Journey to Tin Can Bay.
Sole Use surcharge $50
Visit Emmdundi Markets, Gold Musem, Rainbow Beach,
Tin Can Bay, Mary Valley Rattler
and Kenilworth Cheese Factory
just to name a few.
Saturday March 20
6.45am Depart Bald Hils from the Green Apple
Spend 2 hours exploring the world famous Eumundi Markets
Enjoy a traditional Green Apple Morning Tea before heading north to Gympie
Gympie has an important and colourful history, such as being known as the "Town that saved Queensland from bankruptcy"
Visit the Gympie Goldmining and Historical Musuem where the heritage of Gympie is seen through exhibits such as the gold mininig display and the lighthorse Museum.
Enjoy a picnic lucnh beside a picturesque lake adjoining the museum
after lunch we head to Rainbow Beach where the only 'highrises' are the coloured sand cliffs of the Great Sandy National Park and the mountains of the State Forests. we enjoy some free time for a walk along the beach with Double Island POint an dthe Coloured Sands in the background painting the perfect picture.
we continue on to Tin Can Bay and check into The Sleepy Lagoon Hotel/Motel. Dinner tonight is at the Cod Father Too Resturant at the Tin Can Bay Marina (walking distance)
Sunday March 21
After a hearty cooked breakfast at the Sleepy Lagoon we head down to watch the local Dolphins having theirs. We then board the couch for Gympie.
Today we re;live the time when steam train travel was the order of the day as we travel on board the "Valley Rattle" which makes an histroic 40km journey from Gympie through the stunning and rolling hills of the Mary Valley, visting the towns of Dagun, Amamoor and Kandangam then stopping in Imbil at 12 noon. We disembark and have time for a quick browse at the Imbil Country Markets where there are a variety of stalls selling local produce, plants bric-a-brac, etc.
After lunch at the Imbil Pub we head to the Kennilworth Cheese Factory to sample some delicious local cheese and then we meander the picturesque back roads via Conodale Ranges to arrive in Maleny -- a quaint village set high on the Blackall Ranges, one houe free time to wander the main street of Maleny before heading back down the range to Bald HIlls,
Arrive time 5.30pm approx.
Stories of previous years Christmas Parties!
2008 Green Apple Christmas Party
By Shirley Buckley
To Brian, Victoria, Staff and all Members,
Well, the Christmas Party is over for another year. My sister and I had a ball again, it just keeps getting better! Must be the company of the people!
These ladies on the Social Club are real angels the way they organise everything. They deserve a lot more credit! My sister has remarked how friendly everyone is but that’s what the Green Apple is all about isn’t it. It is Like one big family!
Even though my sister is not a member they make her feel very comfortable. The feeling at the gym is full credit to Brian, Victoria, and all the Staff for making this feeling possible. Not one thing is too much trouble for them which you would rarely get somewhere else.
My sister and I can not do the “Nutbush”, we would love to learn though. And my sister was amazed that so many of the senior people were up doing the “Nutbush”, where I said the proof is in the pudding. Without the Green Apple, would they all be able to do that? All of this is a reflection on the Green Apple.
GO GREEN APPLE!!
And while I have the chance I would love to wish you all a very merry Christmas and the best of health and happiness for 2009.
Love and Best Wishes
Shirley Buckley
Howdy y’all!!
By Narelle Wills
(Sharing a member’s view of the Green Apple Social Committee’s Party Nov. 25)
Last Saturday night saw a herd from the GAG stampede to the Pine Rivers Bowls Club for the annual Christmas Party. A finer mob there was never to be seen – sleek and fat (oops! I mean fit) and looking even sleeker after their visit to the feed lot!! I don’t know how they came to be there – rumour has it that the Social Committee didn’t latch the gate after mustering them all, some frisky young filly called Victoria led the way out, and the rest followed like sheep!
After burying their noses in the trough (and my, what a mighty feed it was too!!) they kicked up their heels in the exercise yard. All the young fillies let off plenty of steam and even the old grey mares and stallions couldn’t resist joining in for a gallop around the paddock.
I don’t know if they’ve all returned to the GAG yet (probably either still having too much fun or maybe they’ve got a belly full of colic from that big feed!) Ah well, they’ll all come back in their own good time. Come to think of it, I don’t remember seeing some of the young stallions there that night – mmmmmmmm!!!
Anyway, all I can say is…. A mighty big THANKS to whoever left that gate open!!…. Yee-ha!!!!!!
Keep watching, more to come!
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