Special lunch for retiring instructors

By Rowan Frazer

Dec 13, 2024

Dawn Hetherington, Ian Braham, Kaye McCabe, Irene Braham, Pat Burrows and Pauline Edwards.

Two torch-bearers of exercise in the community were honoured at the Murrumbidgee Health Seniors Gentle Exercise Group’s Christmas break-up on Tuesday.

Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content

The social gathering also served as a retirement function for a couple of the ladies who help run the group.

The special part of the day was a surprise to many of those in attendance.

Kaye McCabe and Hillary Armstrong have been instructors of the gentle exercise classes for a number of years.

Mrs Armstrong retired after five years, while Mrs McCabe is stepping back after an impressive 27 years.

They have led sessions each Tuesday in the Dunlop Room of the Deni RSL Club, as well as sessions at Intereach and Navorina Aged Care.

Starting with the group in December 1998, Mrs McCabe said a lot has changed since those early days.

She said she started the classes servicing a need predominantly for farmer’s wives.

Initially, Mrs McCabe said she travelled to areas including Blighty, Wakool, Brassi and Caldwell weekly, with regular 75 minute round trips when she was also living out of town.

At the start, she was travelling out to visit inaugural members including Judy Metcalfe, Judy Wright and Dawn Hetherington.

The groups consisted of seven or fewer women, on average.

As some members retired, the groups came into town.

Mrs McCabe said she was surprised at how many people still came to take part.

While sad to be retiring, Mrs McCabe said hip problems were making it difficult to continue. And she also thought 85 was an appropriate age to retire.

She will continue to volunteer at Navorina Aged Care, and intends to stay with the exercise class as a participant.

Mrs Hetherington, as Mrs McCabe’s longest-standing exercise member, said the instructor had given friendship and devotion to the exercise group members for a long time.

Fellow instructor Ian Braham added to the praise for both Mrs McCabe and Mrs Armstrong, says they had each done a “fantastic job”.

He said they had certainly contributed to the popularity of the class.

When Mr Braham came on board three years ago, there were 14 people participating in exercise classes. There are now 54.

He said representatives from Murrumbidgee Local Health District regularly attend the sessions and are amazed at the success of the program.

A convert himself to the gentle exercises after being brought along by his wife three years ago, Mr Braham has gone on to complete an instructor course and will take on the roles vacated by Mrs McCabe and Mrs Armstrong.

Now in recess until the new year, classes will resume Tuesday, January 14.

Sessions at 10am at the Deni RSL.

A session just for men is also held Thursdays at 10am.

Entry is by gold coin donation, and anyone is welcome.

Mr Braham said the sessions are great for fitness, but also keeping the mind active and maintaining social connections.

“They allow people to get together to have a bit of a yarn and a yak afterwards, and a coffee with participants,” he said.

“You notice the difference, you feel a bit more supple around the body.”