WHAT STARTED OFF AS A SIX-MAN FELLOWSHIP GROUP IN GEMLIFE MAROOCHY QUAYS QUICKLY TURNED INTO A MEN’S SPORTS GROUP CALLED THE ‘GOLDEN OLDIES’ WHO MEET UP THREE TIMES A WEEK.
The idea was first sparked when Francis Rissman and his mates decided to get together to make the most of the extensive facilities at GemLife Maroochy Quays.
“We discussed starting a men’s sports group and our original group only consisted of the six of us – Alan, Phil, Tony, Gary, Peter and I,” said Francis.
“In the beginning, we started by playing a game of croquet after water aerobics. The group has gone from strength to strength. It has now grown to over 30 of us and we compete in various activities.”
The Golden Oldies meet up every Tuesday, Thursday and Friday to play a range of sports while enjoying the mateship of being part of a social and active group with likeminded men.
“We play croquet on Tuesday, golf on Friday and on Thursday afternoon we have what we call our triathlon. We rotate through three sports together – golf, tenpin bowling and pool,” Francis said.
“We are about fellowship and a bit of fun, and we like to take the mickey out of each other. We like to make our own rules as we go along, particularly in croquet and snooker, and we call these the ‘Maroochy Rules’,” he chuckled.
“We discuss issues such as men’s health and many of us are also part of the ‘Helping Hands’ group who volunteer to help fellow residents with jobs around their homes and in the resort.
“We have adopted the motto ‘are you OK mate?’ and we are dedicated to helping each other in times of need.”