By Callum Ludwig
Over one-quarter (26.8 per cent) of all older people in Australia were found to be living alone in 2015 according to the Australia Bureau of Statistics, and now following the Covid-19 pandemic, the risk of loneliness among our older residents is more prevalent than ever.
Seville resident Will Eastmure is part of the Yarra Junction Over 50’s friendship group which meets regularly at the Yarraburn Centre and go on outings to keep socially active and is introducing a new fundraising initiative to help the group continue to go out and have fun.
Mr Eastmure said even after a $6000 grant from Yarra Ranges Council, the group was left with a massive hole for them to try and keep going.
“I thought how an old-time dance used to run at the Wandin Public Hall every Saturday night, and I thought that’s a novel way for us to make money while also putting back into the community,” he said.
“Entry will be $15 with tea and coffee provided so that we can continue doing what we want to do with the elderly in the area. Yarra Ranges Council has been absolutely fantastic, dropping the hall hire from $335 to only $10 because we’re doing this for the community.”
The first dance, open to anyone of all ages, is set to take place on 28 January, and donations are still being sought by the group to help get the event off the ground and to become self-sufficient. Some local businesses, kept anonymous, have donated as much as $1500 to the group.
Mr Eastmure said he worries that without social outings, older people can stagnate.
“It happens if you are confined to your home day after day, the opportunity to get out of your house is a big plus, as well as meeting people, enjoying yourself and going out to socialise,” he said.
“The dance also has a totally different aspect as well, in bringing back something that was once prominent in the community in the 80s and 90s. I’ve been to a few dance events lately and people have been very happy to travel to go to an event where they can socialise, have a great night of dancing, and go home with memories, wanting to come back.”
The Yarra Junction Over 50’s friendship group meets every Monday from 1.30pm – 4.30pm.
In the Upper Yarra, there is also a group that meets at the Wandin Senior Citizens Centre every Tuesday from 1pm – 3pm and Thursday from 9am – 3pm.
