General News
11 June, 2025
Managing the Twilight years draws crowd.
Managing the Twilight Years is an initiative of Horsham Combined Probus Clubs event that attracted a large crowd from at least five municipalities to its second event.
In 2023 the event attracted 180 attend, with numbers reaching 250 in 2025.
The program was designed to offer up-to-date information for seniors and followed the successful event two years ago.
The information was important, pertinent and necessary in this age where change is happening rapidly, especially in the health industry, and seniors flounder to keep abreast.
"Speakers at the day-long event included police officers on safety, a lawyer, an accountant, a mobility aids expert, a Grampians Health longtime employee, a Centrelink aged-care specialist, and a minister who emphasized the need to live well," President Faye Smith said.
"We also had seven static foyer displays from groups that serve seniors. Our thanks to all who very capably filled the 30-minute slots.
"Two people came from Geelong. They came two years ago and came back again this year," President Faue Smnith said.
" After the event, they said it was certainly worth the effort travelling to Horsham.
"Many who attended two years ago returned this time and said it was very helpful and the information they had been given in 2023 and acted upon and been valuable," she said.
Ms Smith said she had a phone call from a lady after the event who said she had been only charged $5 entry and was sure that amount had not covered expenses on the day..
" The lady sent a donation of $200."
People said they found great benefit in being able to access so much information in one place, as so much changes in health issues and Aged Care plans and were grateful the Probus Club had hosted the event.
.. People were appreciative that the Probus Club had presented such a practical event.
"We were still getting calls the day before the event from businesses and organisations enquiring if they could exhibit, but eventually, space was prohibitive and we could not accommodate everyone.
Participants were provided a home-cooked lunch, and organisers were grateful for so many generous gifts of food.
Organizers of the Managing the Twilight Years seminar wish to express delight at public support for the event, which attracted a large crowd from a wide area and brought numerous comments of appreciation.
"We are especially grateful to major sponsor Oscar Care Horsham and also to Horsham Rural City Council, Horsham Rotary Club, Horsham Church of Christ seniors group Upper Class, and other donors for their invaluable contributions towards the day.
"Our thanks also go to Horsham East Probus and Upper Class members who gave practical assistance in many ways," she said.
"Horsham Church of Christ again proved an excellent venue and we are appreciative of all the assistance offered by events manager Lachie Walker."
With such a positive response to the event, it has also been suggested that the event is too valuable to drop off the calendar. A suggestion was made that a community-groups committee to plan similar events in the future be formed, and organizers are looking into this idea...
"Finally, my personal thanks to organizing committee members: Jan Chivell, Catherine Sellars, Robert Wilson, Marlene Copley, and Gary Coutts, who also believed that such an event was essential and were instrumental in making it happen," President Faye Smith said.
