A COMMUNITY group aimed at keeping elderly minds active recently celebrated five decades of operation.
The Mount Gambier Bridge Club celebrated the golden anniversary with a day of games and activities followed by an afternoon tea.
The trick-taking card game gives the elderly group members an opportunity to exercise critical thinking while remaining socially connected.
Bridge club president Ann Laslett said the milestone was significant for the elderly with up to 40 members officially enrolled.
“The club numbers fluctuate as we are an ageing population and not all of us are able to travel to get to the games or some members may be quite sick,” she said.
“The members are fabulous people and if everyone was able to come along, then we would have a significant amount of members.
“You have to be very mindful when playing bridge.
“It keeps the elderly members’ brains active which is fantastic.”
Ms Laslett said the club provided significant social benefits to interact with like-minded people, particularly for players who would otherwise be alone.
“I joined the club not long after my husband of 40 years passed away,” she said.
“We were traditionalists and did everything together, so when he passed away I needed something to keep me occupied.
“My mother would also play bridge when I was younger and I always thought when my children were grown up then I would get her to teach me how to play, but unfortunately she did not make it.”
Ms Laslett praised the group’s members, some of who are in their 90s.
“This really goes to show the importance of keeping the mind active when growing older,” Ms Laslett said.
“Just because the body may begin to deteriorate does not mean the mind must.
“It is also fantastic to make friends and keep social interactions going.”
The group meets at Saint Mary’s Boandik Lodge on Wednesday afternoon at 6.30pm.
