NATIONAL SENIORS ASSOCIATION

CENTRAL COAST BRANCH INC.

PROFILE 

There are now almost 3000 members of the National Seniors Association residing in the area covered by Central Coast Branch.

The Branch was established in 1992, but did not become fully operational until the following year.  From its humble beginnings it has now developed to the point where it is recognized as a  particularly strong and virile one.  As members of NSA are open to people aged 50 and over, many members are still working and are unable to take part in Branch meeting activities.

About 100 members attend the monthly meetings, which are held at Gosford RSL Club, Yallambee Avenue, West Gosford, at 10.00 am on the first Tuesday each month.  Members enjoy morning tea and hear a guest speaker of interest prior to the meeting being held.  These meetings are kept as short as possible to allow members more time to socialise and enjoy themselves.  Many people stay on to lunch after the meeting to make it an enjoyable day-out.  A small fee is charged at monthly meetings (presently $4 per person) to cover the cost of morning tea, lucky door prizes etc.

The day-to-day operation of the Branch is undertaken by an elected Management Committee, which meets on the last Tuesday of the month.  Management Committee members report to the general meeting so that all present are aware of the operations of the Branch, its financial status and the planning for up-coming events.

Members are free to raise matters of concern about seniors, and NSA provides the mechanisms for resolutions originating in Branches to be submitted to the National Policy Council meeting each year and, if adopted, to become part of the organisation's policy.  The Chief Executive Officer of NSA spends 10 weeks a year in Canberra to lobby the Government and Departments on policy matters.

The Branch holds a social activity of some kind each month (a sausage sizzle, a coach trip, Christmas and Christmas in July lunches, a ferry excursion or car-pool visit to places of interest).  Costs of these activities are kept to a minimum and they are always interesting and informative.  The major source of income for the Branch is from these social events.  Surplus funds are usually donated to charities caring for people aged 50 and over.

A Newsletter is produced every three months to keep members informed of activities.

The Branch postal address is PO Box 1535, Gosford 2250.  Information is available by ringing Peter (4340-5606) or Cliff (4369-2258).