What to do in retirement?

Hi All,
Thank you for the helpful and kind comments, don’t worry – I fully intend to take time to enjoy doing things for myself and with my family.

I might join a choir, I enjoy singing – can’t say I’m any good, but…

Lifeline book sorting? Good idea, I love books – trouble is I’d end up reading them all instead of sorting!

Community radio? Hmmm.

National Library? Might give them a call.

Technical aid to the disabled has always caught my fancy, I’ll investigate that.

Renovating steam engines would be great – dunno about the gunk part though.

I’m pretty good at admin stuff so ACT Emergency Services could be worth investigating.

Much as I like animals my wife isn’t so keen, so fostering dogs and/or cats is out I’m afraid. Golf? Nah, I’ve got better things to do.

Yes, the garden needs lots of TLC, but I hate gardening. However, I have made up my mind to attack it with ruthless efficiency, draw up some plans on my pooter and have at it. I do love to see a nice garden and I’m sure the results will be worth all the hard work, if only we would get reliable (i.e., more) rain!
I have a bicycle and intend to get out and about on that and I am going to get myself a season ticket to the swimming pool at Tuggeranong. I like to cook but my wife won’t let me, we have a difference of opinion about when to clean up the pots and pans.

sepi said :

Pegasus Riding for the disabled in Holt needs volunteers to led horses around or hold kids on the horses.

Retirement homes are desperate for people to visit the residents.

There is a service to teach migrants english, regular conversation groups.

And there is a group that needs drivers to transport old people to the shops or medical appointments.

Yep, they are all good ideas, need to get more info on those.

Well, loads of ideas, I’ll be checking out the various web links provided and Googling like mad.

Late post:

troll-sniffer said :

Engineers Without Borders is an organisation dedicated to water and sanitary care in devloping countries. With your background you might be suitable for their volunteering program, especially if you are interested in a bit of volunteering in overseas communities.

Thanks for that.

Wow! So many things to do! How can anybody ever say they are bored? Keep ’em coming!

Cheers,
Davo.

Engineers Without Borders is an organisation dedicated to water and sanitary care in devloping countries. With your background you might be suitable for their volunteering program, especially if you are interested in a bit of volunteering in overseas communities.

Don’t forget to make time for your family. My in-laws volunteer for the blood bank (serving drinks to blood donors), participate in Sing Australia and hold positions on the bowls board (which seems to involve as much work as having actual jobs). We have to book time to see them!

The Wesley Music Centre is run entirely by volunteers and is always looking for extras. Google their website.

Pegasus Riding for the disabled in Holt needs volunteers to led horses around or hold kids on the horses.

Retirement homes are desperate for people to visit the residents.

There is a service to teach migrants english, regular conversation groups.

And there is a group that needs drivers to transport old people to the shops or medical appointments.

No suggestions, I just wanted to pass on my admiration for your willingness to put back into society.

Volunteering is great but don’t forget to do things just for you too.
…give your garden a face lift with some pretty flowers, restore some old furniture, check out some of the ACTs many walking tracks, learn how to cook different cuisines, try your hand at painting…try your feet at dancing…
Just think of all the things over the years that you have ever wanted to try…the possibilities are endless. You lucky thing!!

Sorry for the double post but here is the ARF website. http://www.fosterdogs.org/

Do you like animals, particularly dogs? Volunteer organisations such as ACT Rescue and Foster (ARF) are always looking for foster carers for dogs saved from euthanasia. Other help can include assisting at stalls, taking photos of dogs for websites, selling tickets and helping with transport.

Or, the pound have positions for volunteers walking dogs.

Other than that, play golf – its great!

Just quickly, I imagine that Technical Aid to the Disabled (link above) and Questacon would both be right up your alley.