A well-publicised statistic reveals that there are many people in Australia who are either overweight or even obese and whilst this is rather alarming, the good news is that there is a certain percentage of those people who are determined to remove themselves from that classification. Within our local community, sixty-five weight loss enthusiasts meet every Tuesday as members of the Bribie Island Healthy Slimmers Fellowship and to celebrate their successful efforts to lose a few kilograms, they recently attended a graduation lunch at the Bribie Island Golf Club in Woorim.
Featured Image(above): The graduates displaying their certificates
Fellowship President Ellen Beechley told me that the graduation event was held as a way of recognising the efforts of all who had lost weight and also for those who had reached their goal to graduate. ‘The statistics that were revealed at the graduation are a very good example of what can be achieved by an ongoing commitment toward reaching a goal,’ said Ellen. After the overall gains were subtracted from the overall losses, the net losses were a rather amazing 111.1 kgs,’ she added.
Ellen explained that the slimmer who loses the most weight is named Queen and the one with the nearest loss to her receives the title of Princess. ‘at the graduation, Cheryl Ronque was announced as Queen and Anne Hanlon received the Princess sash,’ said Ellen. The Bribie Island Healthy Slimmers Fellowship was founded by Gwen Clayton and as an indication of how popular the organisation has been, there are some who have been members since not long after it began in 1982.
Ellen pointed out that whilst anyone can lose weight, not everyone can keep it off and this is where being a member of the Slimmers can Be an advantage. She said that weights are recorded at every meeting and everyone is there to support each other. ‘When someone joins the fellowship, the first step is for them to consult with their doctor to set a weight goal and provide an indemnity,’ Ellen told me. ‘Weight loss is all about staying healthy and being healthy is more important than being slim,’ she remarked.
A royal pair – Queen Cheryl Ronque and Princess Anne Hanlon
As well as assisting members to reach their ideal weight, Healthy Slimmers is also a very friendly and sociable organisation and members have outings throughout the year and parties at Easter, Mothers Day, Melbourne Cup Day and at Christmas time. There are sister clubs throughout the Brisbane area and some of the members from those clubs were present at the recent Bribie Island graduation.
Bribie Island Healthy Slimmers Fellowship meets every Tuesday in the Toc H Hall at 36 Banya Street, Bongaree from 7.30 am and new members are always welcome. For more information on becoming a member, anyone interested can call Dorothy Holt on 5497 5552.
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