Penrith OWN
Penrith OWN began in October 1994. Its membership grew steadily and by the following year, around sixty women were actively involved in a variety of social activities and workshops.
Although it has taken a while, Penrith OWN is now well known and respected within the broader community. We have been proactive in letting local people know about our group by placing multiple copies of our brochure in the Neighbourhood Centre and the Community Health Centre. We hold meetings at the Penrith Community Health Centre, the Senior Citizens Centre and the Kingswood Park Community Centre, where we are strongly represented on the Management Committee. We are also represented on the Senior Citizens Management Committee and the Women's Health Centre Committee.
Our drop-in centre at the Penrith Community Health Centre - our OWN Place - is thriving. Since it was established in 2000, volunteers have kept it open four days per week - Monday to Thursday - from 10.00am to 2.00pm! This means that older women in Penrith can now access information about all our activities and obtain copies of the monthly newsletter while they enjoy a quiet chat and a cuppa.
Some of our members are involved in consumer activism and local Councillors are quite accustomed to seeing OWN members at Council meetings, especially when community buses, local buses and rezoning issues are on the agenda.
One of the most significant factors in Penrith OWN's success is the regular personal contact we have with each other. When a member is sick we send her a get well card or phone contact is made.
Our very successful Wellness Programme has been developed with a view to encouraging social contact and friendship. Four days a week we enjoy a variety of activities, including (at different times and in different venues) Aquarobics, Yoga, Tai Chi, Gentle Exercise, International Dancing, various Table Games plus outings and lunches.
Penrith OWN has its own office in the CBD - Community Connections Building, Suite 104/114-116 Henry St Penrith. Phone 4731 3676.
For more information, please contact OWN NSW (02) 9247 7046 or email info@ownnsw.org.au
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