By Shelby Brooks
For three decades, the Pakenham Arthritis Self-Help group has been helping people deal with their joint pain.
Founded in 1991 by Janet Browning, Olga Gallon and Betty Coombs., the group has offered low impact chair and water exercise for arthritis sufferers, as well as a social opportunity for members.
The group, which falls under the Musculoskeletal Australia banner, celebrated its 30th anniversary at Deep Creek Golf Club on Wednesday 18 May with a lunch and presentation.
President Anne Dunn said it was a successful event that was finally able to occur in Covid-safe conditions after a year of postponements.
“Everyone loved it, it was absolutely wonderful,“ she said.
Members who had passed away in the 30 years of the club were honoured and a cake was cut for current members to enjoy.
A highlight of the event was when Lynette McCullough was awarded a life membership.
“It was well deserved,“ Ms Dunn said.
Ms Dunn said the group had helped hundreds of people in the community over the three decades they had been operating.
“Arthritis is a painful condition most of us learn how to manage,“ she said.
“Arthritis is damage within the body. The aim of an exercise program is to strengthen muscles around the damaged areas to support that damage. If you don’t you’ll be in more pain.
“Our motto is ’move it or lose it’. Basically if you don’t move, you won’t be able to move.“
PASH is a friendly group of people who all get on well and support one another, Ms Dunn said.
Though surprisingly arthritis doesn’t always dominate the conversation.
“There’s very little talk about our conditions beyond questions like, ’what do you do for this?’,“ Ms Dunn said.
“Sometimes people with this condition feel isolate so the social aspect is sometimes more important than exercise.
“After the exercise we always have a cuppa, biscuit and a chat.“
