50th Birthday Celebrations For Community Organisation Evenglow

Organising community initiatives and coordinating transport between multiple aged care homes is no easy feat. President Roy Jones and his wife, Val, make the hard work look easy, and the joy on residents’ faces is a testament to their tireless work and dedication to Evenglow, a community-based organisation tasked with providing fun days out to elderly citizens in the region.

Evenglow was founded on the 7 th of July 1976 by a small group of Gladstone ladies, after the Community Health Sisters realised that many Gladstone seniors suffered from loneliness. A roster of volunteers was compiled to cater for gatherings during the year, including transporting seniors, often using their own cars, to and from functions which were usually held at the QCWA hall.

Now run by 18 members, Evenglow provides fortnightly Wednesday morning entertainment to around 85 senior citizens from different aged care homes, including Bindaree, Edenvale, and New Auckland Place. The day costs $8, and for seniors without transport, the community bus fare is $6.

On this occasion, 123 people, including Council members and representatives from Rio Tinto, the sponsors of the luncheon, turned out to celebrate the anniversary of Evenglow’s humble beginnings. Local musician Athol Gilson serenaded the seniors during morning tea for an hour and a half. Then, like clockwork, the hall went silent while residents listened to the shout of “one, spade!” and “ten, diamonds!” during the life-or-death game that is Hoy, a variation of Bingo.

“We can’t stop Hoy because people revolt,” Roy commented, while residents groaned in frustration and exclaimed with dismay when someone yelled out “Hoy!” and won the game (and its subsequent prizes).

At 12 pm, the volunteers flooded out of the kitchen with gloves and plates of ham, roast chicken, salad and baked potatoes. Drinks and dessert were also on offer to residents, as well as celebratory cake, and the hall once again went silent while the food was served – the clattering of cutlery and plates being the only audible noise throughout the centre. Life members Cathy Webb and Val Griffiths were also honoured during this occasion.

When asked about his motivations for continuing to volunteer for community initiatives such as Evenglow, Roy humorously stated, “Beats me!”

“We volunteer at other places, my wife and I, and we both just wanted somewhere to volunteer. In 2012, she started, and then I started at [Blue Care] Auxiliary. Two weeks later, I came here and she went to the [Blue Care] Auxiliary also. Two of her cousins used to be volunteers, and one of them still is, and that’s how it happens.”

The luncheons are sponsored by local businesses and organisations like Rotary Clubs, Quota, the Gladstone Orchid and Foliage Society, NRG, Rio Tinto, Cement Australia, and others, as well as private donors. The senior citizens also enjoy special occasions throughout the year, including Easter, ANZAC Day, Mother's & Father’s Day and Christmas. The residents can also compete for prizes by making Easter bonnets and Mother’s Day hats, among other crafts.

The fun won’t stop any time soon at Evenglow, and Roy stated that “hopefully it [Evenglow] will just continue; we don’t want it to get too big or we won’t be able to use this place [the Port Curtis Senior Citizen’s centre], it’s the best place in town for it.”

If Gladstone locals or retirees wish to contribute to the electric energy and camaraderie at Evenglow, the organisation is currently open to new members, particularly seeking kitchen staff to help share workloads and continue to bring smiles to senior citizens’ faces. Contact President Roy Jones at (07) 4978 2898 or royvjones@dreamtilt.com.au.