More than 50 seniors from Katherine and the surrounding area kicked off Seniors' Month with morning tea today.
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Fresh fruit, scones and croissants were laid out for the over 60's crowd as they enjoyed mingling in the Katherine Museum's shady gardens.
About 20Katherine seniors regularly get out together every week for a talk and small outing of some kind.
But for many of today's guests its the first time they've made it out in quite some time.
67-year-old Pine Creek resident John Andrews has had something of a rough trot with hospital visits this year.
He said as bills pile up he 'rarely' gets the chance to come in and socialise like this.
"Oh look we're fine but we've spent a bit of time in hospital this year," he said.
"With the medical bills and shopping things do add up and it all gets a bit too expensive.
"We've had a good time down here and there are a number of people here I haven't seen in quite a long while.
"We might attend some other events this month but you just don't know, it all depends how well we are," Mr Andrews said.
Katherine Mayor Fay Miller hosted the event this morning, and was joined by council staff as well as a number of fellow aldermen.
The seniors were treated to a few brief speeches before having a chance to ask questions about issues of importance to them.
Leading among these topics was access to essential shops in town.
"The biggest issue for us is parking, the disabled parking just isn't policed at all," Mr Andrews said.
"There's always somebody in it and even if it's empty, half the time they're too far away anyway.
"There's also no seats in the shopping centre.
"At our age you need to take a rest sometimes and there's just nowhere for us to do that, it's a real problem," he said.
Today's gathering was just the first in a series of events for over 60's in our community this month.
Katherine Senior Citizens have compiled a list of events weekly on a Wednesday, with next week's event a 'Morning Quiz' from 10am at Bernhard Street Hall.
Senior citz' secretary Gillian Hagger has been the driving force behind the action-packed month.
A 'bit of an organiser by nature', Ms Hagger has put in 'rather a lot of effort' to make the events happen for her community.
"I feel the community really need it," she said.
"Many of them get out pretty well but then many also do not.
"It brings people together and that's a worthwhile thing to do," Ms Hagger said.
Other events throughout the month will include an 'Afternoon of Yarns and Poems and More' at O'Keeffe House, a 'Visit to the Community Gardens with Claire Pearce' at the museum followed by morning tea.
The Month will then wrap up with Corn Beef and Damper at the Top of Low Level, while Chartair is kindly offering flights over the gorge throughout the period.
A full program is available at Sandra Nelson's electorate office and organisers have stated bookings are necessary.
For further information you can call Gillian Hagger on 89722201 or 0488269632.
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