Aquarena

Dawn Quick commenced her teaching of our tap classes almost 10 years ago. Dawn's attention to technique and sense of humour have served her well with this fun-loving group of participants. Through the years she has taken the group from just a few, to now dozens of tappers, and introduced the joys of tap dancing to all in her classes. Dawn has been a huge encourager and has always gone the extra mile with her instructing. She has voluntarily given up her time organising and participating in entertainment shows at many aged care facilities and she will continue in this capacity next year. Having recently relocated to Bundoora, Dawn has found it increasingly difficult with the travel now involved, and made the agonising decision to finish her time with us at Manningham YMCA. We wish Dawn all the best for the future and we will miss her in our teaching team.

From her participants:

"One time at a nursing home the girls were dancing the rehearsed dance and Dawn was out in front doing her own thing which was wrong, but we all continued on like true professionals!"

"She is very calm most of the time, but has been known to snap if her class isn't paying attention!"

"We all love Dawn, we wish her well and we will miss her."

There is a new Pryme Movers timetable out with classes beginning as of Monday 20th February.

One of the new classes added to the timetable is the Pryme FIT class.

Pryme FIT
(Class rating: Medium intensity)

Pryme FIT is functional interval training with a total body, aerobic, strength and conditioning workout. Each week will bring something exciting and different to keep your mind and body working. Modifications for all fitness levels are provided. This class gets you working at a great pace from start to finish.
Times- Monday 9am with Cinzia @ Aquarena.
Monday 10.30am with Jacqui @ Heimat

You are able to obtain the new timetable by visiting the group exercise webpage or they are also available at the Aquarena reception.

We have recently added two new Zumba classes to the Pryme program to enxpand our already diverse class ranges on offer. The new classes are:

Pryme Zumba in the Circuit
(Class rating: Medium intensity)

For Zumba fans who want to add circuit training, this high-octane, Latin-inspired dance rhythms of Zumba® combine with the benefits of metabolism-boosting strength training for one complete workout. You will boost your metabolism and get strong in one fun and effective workout.
Time- Tuesday 5:30pm with Carol B

Aqua Zumba Gold
(Class rating: Low intensity)

This class is for any older adults who are looking to make a splash by adding a low-impact, high-energy aquatic exercise to their fitness routine. There is less impact on your joints during a Pryme Aqua Zumba® class so you can really let loose. The design of the class introduces easy-to-follow Zumba® choreography using water resistance that focuses on fitness, range of motion and coordination.
Time- Friday 7:30am with Carol B

Pryme Christmas Luncheon is here again and this year entertainment will be supplied by Stuart Brownley, renowned for his beautiful saxaphone and flute and also our wonderful tappers.

Location: The Manningham Club, Bulleen Road, Bulleen.
Date: Friday 25th November
Time: 12:30-3:30pm
Price: $46 per person, includes two-course lunch, tea and coffee

Bookings and payment to be made at Aquarena reception by Thursday 17th November.

On Melbourne Cup Eve many of our participants wore facinators to class to get in the mood for the Melbourne Cup. They were all in the class sweep and did activities relating to the Cup and had a lot of fun. The winners of the race received small prizes and all had a relaxing chat over coffee.

All Ironmen dressed up in their footy team's colours and ran through the crepe paper banner to participate in the annual Grand Final footy class. After doing many drills specific to footy they turned to the weights to show just how strong they have all become. Trudi, their instructor, had put together all the footy theme songs so there was plenty of singing and laughing during the class and they finished off with ''Up there Cazaly'' which is always popular.

On a lovely sunny day in May the Pryme Movers headed to Bendigo to see the Marilyn Munroe exhibition. They had morning tea at the Maldon bakery famous for its vanilla slice of which many participants decided to enjoy. The statue of Marilyn Munroe which greeted us as we drove into Bendigo was huge and it looked sensatioal which set the tone for the day. The exhibition was full of stunning dresses, shoes, jewellery and many video clips of different movies. Lunch was enjoyed at a quaint cafe just off the main street of Bendigo and before long it was time to head back home again after a great day.

Lungs in Action is an ongoing maintenance class designed for people with stable chronic lung conditions or stable chronic heart failure, who have completed a rehabilitation program. These classes are a safe way to build on the benefits obtained through rehabilitation in addition to providing participants a fun and supportive social environment. All Lungs in Action instructors are specially trained by the Lung Foundation Australia. All are welcome to stay for tea and coffee afterwards. BYO your own towel and drink bottle. NOTE: A doctors referral is required to come along to this class if you have not attended a recent rehabilitaion program.

Where: Aquarena Aquatic and Leisure Centre
When: 11:00am Mondays & Thursdays
Cost: $8.90 per class or $87.00 for a 10 pass card (valid for 12 months)

Bookings can be made from 8:00am on the day of the class by calling Aquarena on 9848 0000. Places limited to 10 per class.

Come along for a fun-filled chair- based class specifically designed for those fighting dementia. Physical exercise is essential for maintaining adequate blood flow to the brain and helps to encourage brain cell growth and mental wellbeing to challenge the effects of dementia. The session included resistance bands, weights, machines, brain games and stretching. While participants do their sessions, carers are able to stay in the room or head to the cafe for a catch up with the other carers. All are welcome to stay for tea and coffee afterwards. BYO your own drink bottle.

Where: Aquarena Aquatic and Leisure Centre
When: 11:00am Tuesdays
Cost: $8.90 per class or $87.00 for a 10 pass card (valid for 12 months)

Bookings can be made from 8:00am on the day of the class by calling Aquarena on 9848 0000. Places limited to 10 per class.

Rio came to Aquarena this week with our Pryme program taking on the Olympic spirit. Olympic challenges were set up in classes along with some fabulous costumes, decorations and plenty of green and gold. Go Aussies!!

A great day of activites was enjoyed by all who braved Grandparents Day on a cold, wet and windy July day. It was great to see some first timers to this event and they loved the challenges of the trivia questions. All enjoyed a hot BBQ lunch to finish off and keep everyone warm.

On Tuesday 12th April very early in the morning participants were very excited to experience the new entry to Aquarena on the Sky Bridge from the middle carpark. They had been waiting two years in the building phase for this to happen and this now means that all abilities people can access Pryme classes with a great amount of ease. As you enter the building there are two lifts which take you down to the new reception area and then you can walk through to the Pavilion or Circuit room where the Pryme classes are held.

On the last day of Summer a group of brave Pryme Movers and Aquarena's CEO, gathered to test their skills on mastering the waterslides. There was a lot of splashing, laughing, very wet hair and some very surprised participants when they made it from top to bottom in one piece. Many of the group challenged themselves on the green waterslide, which throws you into darkness halfway down and is very scary. We look forward to running this unique event next year and hope that many more participants will join in the fun that we all had.

To clebrate the end of the AFL footy season the "ironmen" participated in a special footy themed class which was a lot of fun. The room was decorated with Hawthorn and West Coast balloons and streamers and our participants were dressed in their team colours. Handball and kick to kick were all part of the warm-up before the class began in earnest and all who attended suddenly became very competitive particularly when they were taking football "speckies". The AFL club theme songs were played throughout the class and the members joined in for a good old supporters sing-a-long with great rivalry between the members. Trudi put the men through their paces with footy drills and weight exercises and when the final siren sounded, everyone enjoyed a much needed coffee and slice of cake.

As part of our Pryme Movers program, a High Tea was held in beautiful sunshine in the Pavilion. The room was full of chatter and participants enjoyed catching up with friends and meeting new people. A beautiful afternoon tea was enjoyed by all and thanks go to Nick and his team in the cafe. Pryme Movers have two High Tea's a year in which participants are encouraged to attend to meet their wider "family".

In late April, the Pryme group visited McLelland Gallery and Sculpture Park. The morning was filled with sunshine which was ideal for viewing all of the outdoor sculptures. After having a delicious morning tea, the guides took us on a very informative walk and everyone enjoyed learning how such pieces were created and then built. After the gallery, we headed to Frankston where we had a lovely lunch sitting outdoors at a cafe soaking up the sun as well as viewing the beach. A stroll along the pier followed, before we headed to a Merino wool factory outlet where participants viewed some beautiful clothing. It was then time to head home. Everyone had a great day visiting some new places and catching up with each other.

To begin the month of May, Pryme Movers had a High Tea with many participants attending. The High Tea was held in the Pavilion with the doors open so that the sun could stream into the room which created a lovely warm atmosphere. There were many participants who were experiencing their first High Tea and they really enjoyed the opportunity to interact with many of our Pryme Movers family from other classes. A delicious afternoon tea was provided by Michelle and this was very much enjoyed by all. Pryme Movers has two High Tea's a year for participants to socialize with each other.

As part of our Pryme Movers program, throughout the year we offer day trips to various locations in Victoria where participants can experience new activities as well as some physical exercise in the company of friends. In March a group of participants headed into the city to do a tour of the ABC studios which was an outstanding insight into the workings of both radio and television. We had the added bonus of going into a recording studio and talking to a sound engineer and the artist that he had recorded.

During our walk in Birramung Marr, a visit to the Federation Bells was a must and the sound that resonated over the whole area was beautiful. It was a glorious day to be outdoors and enjoy the fresh air and autumn colours of our city. After a delicious lunch at Southgate, the group moved on and experienced a tour of Melbourne Town Hall which was wonderful. We got to hear the comprehensive history of Melbourne's early days and also had an opportunity to stand exactly where the beatles stood on the balcony many years ago. A very tired group of Pryme Movers boarded the bus for our trip home. There will be another trip later in the year for those who couldn't make this wonderful day.

As a standard part of the Pryme Movers program, we celebrate at the end of each year with a nice luncheon at the Manningham Club located in Bulleen. This event is for all participants to come together and enjoy a delicious meal, experience some live entertainment and catch up with friends from other classes. The Centre Manager Steve Marquis welcomed all particpants and CEO Adam Hawken then gave everyone an update on the YMCA board's vision for older adult program's for the next five years.

This year participants were entertained by the popular "YMCA Tappers" and their final act which was some great group dancing to the popular theme "In the Mood" proved to be a huge success. We take this opportunity to thank our tappers for all the community work they do in going to 11 nursing homes this year and providing a concert of dancing and singing. We were also delighted to have Ailsa Lewis sing "Secondhand Rose" and the crowd loved her rendition. Ailsa was also the winner of our annual "new participant" award and we congratulate her. The afternoon finished with some inspiring singing and dancing by everyone to the YMCA theme song. Pictured is Ailsa Lewis with her tap instructor Dawn Quick.

As part of our Pryme Movers program (fitness and fun), we occasionally enjoy taking our usual groups of participants outside of the normal indoor exercise studio's and out into the great outdoors where we can share some relaxed, enjoyable, social times all together. Recently, the Pryme Movers participants set out on a beautiful spring day to Bacchus Marsh, travelling along the western ring road to Melton where we enjoyed a much needed coffee.

We then moved onto the Happy Valley walking track for a delightful bush walk which took the group first through thick mallee root tree's and then down to the Coimadai Creek. After a steep assent, participants came back to the carpark ready to move onto the Merrimu Reservoir where we learnt of the rich history of the area. A short drive put us right into the centre of Bacchus for a tasty lunch at both the local bakery and the quaint little Baby Black Expresso Bar cafe. Participants then either wandered the shops or walked the short Heritage Trail before returning to the bus for the trip home. A great day was enjoyed by all judging by the noise level in the bus on the journey home. Note: Pryme Movers usually conduct at least three, social, outdoor events each year and all participants are invited and are very welcome to enjoy the day.

Last month the popular Pryme Movers (older adults) program hosted a high tea fashion parade fundraiser for Foundation Y Manningham which raised over $1,100.00. These funds will now be used to support disadvantaged and marginalized individuals within the local community from falling deeper into crisis. Foundation Y is the relief and development agency of the YMCA in Manningham.

The fashion parade was sponsored by Postie Fashions and a large variety of clothing was paraded by our four supportive and entertaining fashion models. The summer fashion colors on offer looked magnificent with many different styles of skirts, pants and tops on offer. Michelle from our cafe baked some delicious scones which of course included some tasty jam and cream, together with some fresh sandwiches and fruit for all of our participants. A most enjoyable afternoon was had by all that chose to attend the afternoon together. 

To celebrate the end of the AFL footy season the "Ironmen" participated in a special footy themed class which was alot of fun. The room was decorated in the grand finalist's colours and the participants had to begin by running through a banner to enter into the highly competitive exercise arena. Handball and kick to kick were all part of the warm up before the class began in earnest and all who attended suddenly became very competitive particularly when they were taking the classic football "speckies".

The AFL club theme songs were played throughout the class and the members joined in for a good old supporters sing-a-long and at times some members became a little out of breath because of their enthusiasm. Our popular instructor "umpire" Trudi, complete with whistle, kept the footy styled drills moving along and a very enjoyable time was had by all. After the final siren was blown everyone enjoyed a much needed coffee outside on the cafe decking. Thanks again to everyone who participated and joined in the fun.

To support the local community of Marysville the Pryme Movers requested that this be their choice for their next bus trip. This community has endured many challenges since the massive fires of over three years ago which so tragically took away loved family members, friends, local business' and a beautiful lifestyle. The weather forecast was for a sunny 22 degree day and it delivered which was a surprise to everybody given the awful weather on our last few trips.

Meandering through Healesville and the Black Spur the first stop for the bus was the patisserie for a delicious morning tea or coffee. Some of the participants indulged in some scones, jam and cream which they assured everyone they would walk off during the day. Next was the Michaeldene trail walk which wandered its way down to the Taggerty river which was very full from the snow melt. After climbing up out of there it was back to the township for a much needed lunch at the bakery and a look through the local shops. The final destination was Stephensons falls which was a magnificent sight given the volume of water that was coming over them. The participants enjoyed a wonderful day meeting lots of new people whilst enjoying the health benefits of two lovely walks.