Making a resource out of toilet paper was just one of the creative ways Thurgoona Community Centre social club members kept connected during COVID-19. "We put the challenge out and some of the things they made were fantastic," member Jan Ratcliff said. Fellow member Diane Martin was greatly concerned about the well-being of some of the group at the beginning of the pandemic. "During COVID, the community centre shut down like everybody did, because that was the safe thing to do," she said. "But there were 50-odd members who had been used to the communication, who had been used to coming here, and all of a sudden there was nothing. "I remember thinking, 'If this is going to be three or six months, will they come back? Are they then going to be able to step out and join our group again?' "For some older people, it takes them longer to build up confidence to come to events, and this took that away." Ms Martin said the innovation of the TCC social club committee, with the support of the centre's co-ordinator Sherylyne Moran, ensured connections weren't lost. "Within a couple of days, we came up with doing phone-arounds, working off a roster," she said. "With support of Sherylyne working from home, we set up a Zoom so we could share morning and afternoon teas. "We used to go on bus trips all the time, but over COVID, we had to be more versatile. "So we would bring chairs and sit in people's front yards. IN OTHER NEWS: "It worked - our first breakfast that we went to after COVID had 23 people turn up." In the hope of attracting new members, the TCC social club is holding a pot plant party. "With that pot plant, we want you to bring a sense of humour and a smile," Ms Ratcliff said. "We're hoping to find new members and raise a little bit of money to be able to do new things." The party will take place on Friday at 1pm at the Thurgoona Community Centre. Bring $5 to join and a pot plant to swap.
