Bushwalking - All year

Course Leader
Carole Ingersoll 5474 2372

Course Outline
Learn more about the wonderful area we live in, enjoying better fitness, and social participation. The walks are usually 5 to 7 kms, but longer walks are also arranged.

Entry Criterion
Reasonable level of fitness, able to walk 3 km per hour over variable terrain. Participants are encouraged to lead a walk. Good footwear essential.

Meeting Time
Second and fourth Wednesdays each month. Daylight Saving: 8.30 am to 11.30 am Winter Time: 9 am to 12 noon. Commencing 8 February.

Venue
Meet at the Uniting Church Car Park, Lyttleton Street.

 

El Camino de Santiago de Compostela  1 session

Course Leaders
Alfred van Amelsvoort 5427 4385

Course Outline
Do you have a dream to go on pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela? Are you an armchair traveller with an interest in El Camino de Santiago de Compostela? Do you need information about of preparing for a pilgrimage? The forum will attempt to provide some answers.

Entry Criterion
An interest in El Camino de Santiago de Compostela and prepared to actively participate in session.

Meeting Time
12.30 pm to 3 pm, Tuesday 28 February.

Venue
Salvation Army Hall, Kennedy Street (adjacent railway station).

 

Friday Morning Garden Group - All year

Course Leader
Shirley Curnow 5472 1729

Course Outline
We arrange visits to Gardens and Nurseries throughout the year, when weather is favourable. If the weather is unpleasant we have videos or DVDs about garden shows or working in the garden. Our annual community effort is to prune the roses in Victory Park.

Entry criteria
The love of gardening and willingness to participate in and enjoy the activity.

Meeting Time
10 am to 12 noon third Friday of month, commencing 17 February.

Venue
Fellowship Room, Uniting Church.

 

Gardening in Castlemaine - All year

Course Leader
Harvey Jacka 5470 5079

Outline of Course
We will look at gardening in Castlemaine, its practical side, some garden history and aspects of garden design for a changing climate. There will be a bit of show-and-tell, an exchange of knowledge and experience, guest speakers and garden visits.

Entry Criterion
Love of gardens.

Meeting Time
2 pm to 4 pm, first Tuesday each month, commencing 7 February.

Venue
Kindergarten Room, Uniting Church.

 

Golf Croquet for Beginners - All year

Course Leader
Frank Pederick 5472 1017

Outline of Course
This is the introduction to an enjoyable outdoors social game that exercises hand and eye coordination, memory and decision making processes - qualities we all hope to maintain as long as possible. Some highly qualified local mentors are available guide your introduction.

Entry Criterion
Ability to stand and move around the green for 2 hours, with a mid-way tea break. Have fun. Wear shoes without heels. Clad for weather. Equipment available for participants.

Meeting Time
10 am to 12 noon Tuesdays commencing 3 April.

Venue
Castlemaine Bowling Club, Berkeley Street.

 

Intuitive Development through Relaxation  6 sessions

Course Leader
Michelle Fortuna 0408 781 567

Outline of Course
A fun way to connect with your inner wisdom and to experience a greater depth of relaxation. Will promote well-being and laughter, and develop personal intuitive abilities unique to you!

Entry Criterion
Will suit anyone who is interested.

Meeting Time
10.30 am to 11.30 am Mondays, commencing 6 February.

Venue
Salvation Army Hall, Kennedy Street (adjacent railway station).

 

Lifeball - All Year

Course Leader
Elizabeth Rider 5470 5681


Outline of Course
An enjoyable new sport for men and women of all ages who enjoy a team game. Good exercise, it's a bit like netball, but you walk instead of run.
It's non-competitive, and designed to be safe for older people to enjoy at their own pace. A fitness trainer and physiotherapist attend. New players, always welcome, are shown the game and then join in. (This program is offered in partnership with Castlemaine Community House and Castlemaine District Health Centre.)

Entry Criterion
A reasonable level of fitness and balance. Please wear shoes with non-marking soles, and bring a cup for afternoon tea. Participants pay $3 to cover the cost of the venue. This includes afternoon tea.

Meeting Time
2.30 to 4.00pm Mondays, commencing 16 April.

Venue
Wesley Hill War Memorial Stadium, McGrath Street, Castlemaine.

 

 

Mindfulness for Wellbeing  6 sessions

Course Leader
Karina de Wolf 5472 2956


Outline of Course
This six week introductory course will teach the principals of Mindfulness as a meditation. The sessions will include guided meditations, a conceptual framework and instructions that focus on the breath and internal sensations. The benefits of Mindfulness meditation are relaxation, and relief of stress leading to greater peace of mind.

Entry Criterion
Participants will be seated in chairs. Please bring a shawl as the body cools when one is still. No previous experience required.

Meeting Time
9.30 to 10.30am Wednesdays 9 May to 13 June.

Venue
Fellowship room, Uniting Church.

 

Pétanque  6 sessions

Course Leader
Jenni Rutherford & Sally Kaptein 5472 3468

Course Outline
An ancient game originally played with stone balls and bought to France by the Romans. The game, so close to French hearts, is played with metallic balls, on a dirt surface. This is a chance to learn the rules, technique and strategies – and the café will be open after the game.

Entry Criterion
Ability to bend and if you have a set of boules, all the better. Maximum 8 players.

Meeting Time
2 pm to 4 pm Fridays commencing 20 April.

Venue
Campbells Creek, opposite Thrifty-Link Hardware.

 

Short Walks - All year

Course Leader
Dot Henshall 5472 5108

Course Outline
This walk is designed for people who enjoy walking in the bush, but who no longer have the stamina or ability to undertake long, strenuous walks. After driving for 10 to 20 minutes to an area of natural or historical interest, we walk for about an hour along tracks that are neither too rough nor too steep.

Entry Criterion
None.

Meeting Time
Every Wednesday each month, except 3rd. Daylight Saving: 9 am to 10.30 am
Winter Time: 10 am to 11.30 am Commencing 22 February.

Venue
Meet at the Uniting Church Car Park, Lyttleton Street.

 

Table Tennis - All year

Course Leader
Bernadette Fraser 5472 2634

Course Outline
Come and play table tennis in a friendly non-competitive spirit. Great fun, good exercise and great for hand-eye co-ordination.

Entry Criterion
None. Donation of $1 per week.

Meeting Time
10 am to 12 noon, every Wednesday, commencing 8 February.

Venue
Table-tennis pavilion, Camp Reserve - Forest Street entrance.

 

Tai Chi - All year

Course Leader
Dot Henshall 5472 5108

Course Outline
Tai-chi for Arthritis is a gentle, low impact form of exercise that can benefit the whole body. It improves balance, mobility, flexibility, strength and coordination and is beneficial to one’s general health, especially relaxation and posture. Two classes run concurrently – a beginners group and one for more experienced participants.

Entry Criterion
None. Attend regularly and participate in the exercises to the best of your ability.

Meeting Time
9.30 am to 10.45 am Mondays, commencing 27 February.

Venue
October to April - Castlemaine Botanical Gardens.
May to September – Kindergarten Room, Uniting Church.

 

Tai Chi – Seated for Arthritis - All year

Course Leader
Dot Henshall 5472 5108

Course Outline
This is a modified, seated form of Tai Chi. It can be practised and enjoyed by most people who find standing for long periods too difficult. A safe, easy to learn program to relieve pain, improve health and one’s quality of life.

Entry Criterion
None, except willingness to learn and participate.

Meeting Time
10 am to 11 am Fridays weekly, except for first Friday of the month, commencing 17 February.

Venue
Private residence – contact course leader.