Mary Walsh Centre 

This month has been rather cold with very blustery winds, which often occur at this time of the year. The sun has quite a lot of warmth in it, when the clouds
allow it to shine on us. The early spring bulbs are
coming slowly this year, but seem to have benefited by all the rain we have had. At the centre, preparations continue for the "Samaritan" Christmas boxes that will be distributed by the Red Cross, to underprivileged children in other parts of the world.
We now have a resident policeman in Lilydale, Andrew Hanson, who visited us recently for morning tea. It is hoped that his presence in the town will put a stop to the break-ins and vandalism, which have recently
become a problem.
Heather Donaldson from the Arthritis Foundation
attended the centre to tell us all about Laughter
Therapy and the beneficial effects of laughter, which include pain relief!   
Since the last issue of the Progressive our Board of Management has installed a heat pump, which has made a world of difference to our comfort, especially these colder days. Our thanks go to the board for their thoughtfulness.
The "Valley Voices"(choir) kindly agreed to perform for us and to maximise audience space the Senior
Citizens were approached to accommodate us and to join in the concert. What a wonderful asset the choir is to the local community and Judith Robbers and her singers are to be congratulated for their very fine
effort. We shared a delightful afternoon tea afterwards and were grateful for the Senior Citizens' warmth and hospitality.

Guidewords:
From an Anthology of Inspiration and Humor
"You are the person that has to decide
Whether you'll do it or toss it aside.
You are the one who makes up your mind
Whether you'll lead or linger behind--
Whether you'll try for the goal that's far,
Or be contented to stay where you are.
Take it, or leave it. Here's something to do,
Just think it over. It's all up to you!
What do you wish? To be known as a shirk,
Known as a good person who's willing to work,
Scorned for a loafer or praised by your boss,
Rich or poor, beggar or thief?
Eager or earnest or dull through the day,
Honest or crooked? It's you who must say!
You must decide in the face of the test
Whether you'll shirk it or give it your best."