Golden Age Group Founder Thinks Big

A former immigration officer has formed a group called ‘Golden Age Survivor’ in Labasa for retired civil servants.

It was formed last month. Group founder Amelia Lave Waqabaca Virivirilau is adamant that other retired civil servants or senior citizens in the North may be inter­ested in joining the current five-member team.

The 72-year-old woman is hop­ing that as the group numbers increase, more recreational activi­ties could evolve.

“Here in the North, we want to start a group for retired citizens or civil servants to be involved in ac­tivities rather than living a lonely life at home,” Ms Virivirivalu said.

“Being involved in a recreational group- get together and do some­thing to enjoy life.

There are many retired civil serv­ants at home who can join the group and contribute ideas for an enjoyable retirement.”

The grandmother of 15 grand­children, had always wanted to live a country life and even intro­duce ballet dancing when she was young, but this did not eventuate because she had nine other sib­lings.

Ms Amelia Lave Waqabaca Virivirilau keeps herself busy by doing artwork on pillow cases at the Handicraft Centre in Labasa.

“I sought advice from Mr Charan Jeath Singh as he knows a lot about Labasa. He saluted the idea for a recreational group,” the for­mer Lelean Memorial scholar said.

“He has given us permission to use the swimming pool facility in Labasa on Wednesdays for our meetings and recreational activi­ties for the group; free for at least four hours,” she said.

Ms Virivirivalu became a widow in 2005 and decided to sell her Golden Point Resort in Rakiraki in 2006. She then moved to her ma­ternal village in Naqai, Labasa, to retire.

She hopes that as their numbers grow they could involve them­selves in hobbies or activities like sewing, painting, and doing physi­cal exercises to keep healthy and fit.

Edited by Naisa Koroi

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