What’s On in Positive Ageing
SPRING 1 September – 30 November 2026
A Place to Grow
Hang your dream tags on our
Tree of Hopes and Wishes SEE PAGE 3
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Message from the Mathers House Coordinator
Growing Stronger Together
learning opportunities are an inspiration to everyone around her. Georgina’s story is a wonderful reminder that it is never too late to try something new, make meaningful connections, and thrive. She is also now teaching Tai Chi classes. So, I would like to extend a personal invitation to you. Come and discover for yourself how Mathers House can contribute to your wellbeing, confidence, and sense of connection, or simply enjoy being part of a welcoming community. There is a place for you here. By staying active, connected, and involved, you can continue to lead a fulfilling, purposeful, and rewarding life while being part of a vibrant community right here in the heart of Hobart. It’s time to throw back the covers, enjoy the sunshine and put on your big girl or big boy pants, and come see us. Enjoy the beauty of the Spring season, embrace new beginnings, and remember that it is never too late to start something new, or to continue growing, learning, and getting even better at the activities you are already doing. Here at Mathers House, you’ll be welcomed with open arms and encouraged to explore a diverse range of social, educational, fitness, and creative opportunities. Whether you’re looking to make new friends, learn something new, eat some great food or simply have fun, there’s something for everyone.
In July 2026 the Tasmania Government launched ‘A Respectful, Age-Friendly Island: Older Tasmanian Action Plan 20252029” and reading through the plan it is easy to see that Mathers House has been offering these types of programs based in connection, wellbeing, participation, inclusion, and reducing social isolation for many years. Every friendship formed, every class attended, every laugh shared, and every new experience embraced helps create the kind of age-friendly community the plan envisions for Tasmania. When you come to Mathers House, you will see that ageing is not about slowing down; it is about staying connected, staying engaged, and continuing to grow and live life to the fullest. Time and again, I have the privilege of hearing stories of people who have discovered new purpose, lasting friendships, and renewed enjoyment in life through their involvement at Mathers House. One such person is Georgina. When she first joined our Tai Chi class two years ago, she arrived feeling uncertain, unsteady on her feet, and apprehensive about what the future might hold. Today, Georgina is a remarkable example of the positive impact that staying active and connected can have. Her growing strength, vibrant outlook, and eagerness to embrace new challenges and 2
Mathers House will be closed on Thursday 22 October for the Show Day public holiday. Tree of Hope and Wishes
Friday Films
To highlight our commitment to helping people grow, we have created a Tree of Hope in the dining area. Its branches are waiting to blossom with your dreams, hopes and what makes you grateful.
Friday 25 September Interlude in Prague (2017) 1 h 43 min, rated M Prague, 1786. Overwhelmed by the tangled web of violence and intrigue that surrounds him, Mozart creates the astonishing opera ‘Don Giovanni’. Friday 16 October How to Live Forever (2009) 1 h 34 min, rated MA15+ Director Mark Wexler embarks on a worldwide trek to investigate just what it means to grow old and what it could mean to really live forever.
Seniors Month This year, for the first time, Seniors Week has become Seniors Month with hundreds of events across Tasmania taking place throughout October. Pick up your Seniors Month Event Guide here and join us in celebrating positive ageing and the valuable contributions of older Tasmanians.
Friday 20 November Two Bit Waltz (2014) 1 h 21 min, rated MA15+ This comedy takes you on a road trip through the head of a young girl who has no idea where she’s going in life. Which is just fine with her.
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What’s On
All information is correct at time of printing. For bookings call 6234 1441 or email mathersplace@hobartcity.com.au
Weekly activities Day
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Lifelong learning
Fitness
Health and wellbeing
Activity
Description
Host
Zumba Gold
Low impact dance class for all levels
Ash
T’ai Chi for Beginners
Improve your health and balance
Georgina
Yoga
Uplifting morning yoga NEW TIME
Jenn
Stronger for Longer
Cardio and strength for all levels
Manu
IT Basic
One on one basic coaching
Rosa
Mah Jong
For experienced players
Barb
Quiddler NEW
Word card game, learners welcome
Lois
Five Crowns
Rummy-like card game, learners welcome
Casual
Hobart Ukulele Group
All abilities welcome, ukes available
Paul
Line Dance
Fun low impact exercise, all levels
Ngaire
Core, Balance & Stretch Health and wellness - all welcome
Manu
T’ai Chi
Improve health and wellbeing
John
IT Basics
One on one basic coaching
Richard
IT Basics
One on one basic coaching
Gerald
Knitting Group
Casual group, working on own projects
Casual
Spanish Class
All levels, join any time
Ricardo
Paper Craft
Learn to make cards, material provided
Catherine
Playing Our Part
Develop your acting skills, variety theatre
John
Scrabble with Friends
After lunch (at own cost, from 12 pm)
Shelah
Mah Jong
For experienced players
Barb
Mah Jong Sneak Peak NEW
Observe to see if it’s a game for you
Barb
Broadway Boogie
Low impact dance fitness for all levels
Ash
Mat Pilates
Great for your fitness journey
Lisa
Serenity in the City
Guided meditation
Helen
Learn Mah Jong
6-week course, start 27 Aug or 8 Oct
Barb
Mah Jong Sneak Peak
Observe to see if it’s a game for you
Barb
Quilt making
Make a quilt, no experience required
Sue
Yoga NEW
Gentle flow. All welcome
Lili
Midcity School for Seniors
Speakers program. Includes morning tea
Margaret
T’ai Chi NEW
Improve health and balance. For first timers.
Georgina
Rock Jam Session
Any musical era, equipment available
Ian
LM = Lower Mathers, UM = Upper Mathers, CH = Criterion House 4
Creative arts and crafts
Time
At
10 – 11 am
Games
Cost
Themed lunch
Performance/Film
Booking
Breaks
CH $8
Not required
Ongoing
11.15 am – 12.15 pm CH $2
Not required
Ongoing
11.30 am – 12.30 pm LM $10
Not required
Not on 2nd Monday monthly
1 – 1.45 pm
CH $10
Not required
Ongoing
1 – 3 pm
UM Free
Call 6234 1441
By appointment only
1.30 – 3.30 pm
UM Free
Not required
Ongoing
1.30 – 3.30 pm
UM Free
Not required
October only
1.30 – 4 pm
UM Free
Not required
Ongoing
6.45 – 8.30 pm
UM Gold Coin
Not required
Ongoing
10 – 10.45 am
CH $2
Not required
Ongoing
10 – 10.50 am
LM $10
Not required
Ongoing
11 am – 12 pm
CH $2
Not required
Ongoing
10 am – 12 pm
UM Free
Call 6234 1441
By appointment only
1 – 3 pm
UM Free
Call 6234 1441
By appointment only
2 – 4 pm
UM Free
Not required
Ongoing
5 – 6 pm
LM
Call 6234 1441
Not on 27 October & 3 November
10 – 11.15 am
UM $7
Call 6234 1441
By appointment only
10 am – 12 pm
LM $30 per term
Call 6234 1441
Starts 9 September
1 – 3 pm
UM Free
Not required
Ongoing
1.30 – 3.30 pm
UM Free
Not required
October only
1.30 – 3.30 pm
UM Free
Call 6234 1441
October only
10 – 11 am
CH $8
Not required
Not on 22 October
11.10 am – 12 pm
CH $10
Not required
Not on 22 October
12.30 – 1 pm
LM Free
Not required
Not on 22 October
1.30 – 3.30 pm
UM $5
Call 6234 1441
Not on 22 October
1.30 – 3.30 pm
UM Free
Call 6234 1441
October only, not on 22 Oct
2 – 4 pm
UM $10
Call 6234 1441
Not on 22 October
4 – 5 pm
LM $10
Not required
Starting 1 October, ongoing
10 am – 12 pm
CH $2
Not required
Ends 18 Sept, resumes 23 Oct
1 – 2 pm
CH $2
Not required
Only 9, 16, 23 & 30 October
6.45 – 9 pm
UM Gold Coin
Call 6234 1441
By appointment only
$6 or $55 for 10 classes
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What’s On
All information is correct at time of printing. For bookings call 6234 1441 or email mathersplace@hobartcity.com.au
September activities
Lifelong learning
Fitness
Health and wellbeing
Date
Activity
Description
Fri 4
IT Learning Club
New IT topic each fortnight
Book Club
Discuss your monthly book over coffee
Great Balls of Fibre
Knitting, crochet and craft for men
Quiz
Fun filled knowledge quiz
Multicultural Lunch
A World of Flavours and Dance
Coffee Walk
Lindisfarne Esplanade, meet near Milford St
Fri 18
IT Learning Club
New IT topic each fortnight
Fri 18
The Breed
60s rock band. First drink and nibbles on us!
Fri 25
Footy Themed Lunch
Wear your team’s colours!
Friday Films
Interlude in Prague (2017), 1 hr 43 mins, rated M
Talking Café
Come along for a chat and a cuppa
Fri 4
Sun 6
Mon 14 Thu 17 Thu 17
Fri 25
Wed 30
LM = Lower Mathers, UM = Upper Mathers, CH = Criterion House
A World of Flavours and Dance
Experience the rich cultures of Asia, South America and Africa through the sharing of delicious food, music and dance. Volunteers from the multicultural community will be showing you how to cook their traditional meals and performers will share lively cultural performances. Inspired by the City of Hobart’s Welcoming Week, this celebration invites seniors from all backgrounds to come together and enjoy the diversity that makes our community so special.
New class: Quiddler
Quiddler is a fast, fun word game that’s similar to Scrabble. Best of all, you don’t need long words to play. Beginners welcome. When: Mondays (October only) Time: 1.30 – 2.30 pm Where: Upper Mathers Cost: Free
When: Thursday 17 September Time: Dance & food-making demonstration 11am – 12 pm Lunch service 12 – 1.30 pm Where: Upper Mathers Cost: $15 (lunch included) Bookings essential
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Creative arts and crafts
Games
Performance/Film
Themed lunch
Host
Time
At
Cost
Booking
Rosa
10 am – 12 pm
LM
$2
Call 6234 1441
Casual
1.30 – 3.30 pm
UM
$2 or $5 afternoon tea Call 6234 1441
Sam
1 – 3 pm
LM
Free
Not required
Paula & Frances
11 am – 12 pm
LM
Free
Not required
Mathers
11 am – 1.30 pm
UM
$15
Call 6234 1441
Heather
10 am – 12 pm
Off site
Free
Not required
Rosa
10 am – 12 pm
LM
$2
Call 6234 1441
Mathers
2 – 3.30 pm
UM
$13
Booking essential Call 6234 1441
Mathers
12 – 1.30 pm
UM
Normal prices
Not required
Library
1.45 – 3.30 pm
LM
Free
Not required
Anne
10 am – 12 pm
UM
Free
Not required
Footy Themed Lunch
The Breed
The AFL and NRL footy grand finals are just around the corner. Come along to share a traditional footy lunch with friends, and don’t forget to wear your footy colours. There will be prizes for the best dressed, grand finals player of the match and tipping competition to pick the winning team and the closest final score!
It’s time to get ready and rock again! The Breed are the best at bringing back the sounds of the 60s. Come along to tap your feet, get on the dance floor and enjoy your favourite 60s songs. Nibbles and a first drink are provided. When: Friday 18 September Time: 2 – 3.30 pm Where: Upper Mathers Cost: $13 Bookings essential
When: Friday 25 September Time: 12 – 1.30 pm Where: Upper Mathers Cost: Normal lunch prices 7
What’s On
All information is correct at time of printing. For bookings call 6234 1441 or email mathersplace@hobartcity.com.au
October activities
Lifelong learning
Fitness
Health and wellbeing
Date
Activity
Description
Fri 2
IT Learning Club
New IT topic each fortnight
Book Club
Discuss your monthly book over coffee
Great Balls of Fibre
Knitting, crochet and craft for men
Oktoberfest
Themed lunch with beer tasting
Tune Up @ 2
Australian Army Band Tasmania concert
Quiz
Fun filled knowledge quiz
Comedy Show
Stand-Up Comedy for Seniors with Daryl Peebles
Coffee Walk
Hobart Rivulet, meet at C3 church
IT Learning Club
New IT topic each fortnight
Friday Films
How to Live Forever (2009), 1 hr 34 mins, rated MA+
Lunch Talk
Staying Safe Online with Peter Edwards
Wed 21
Panel Discussion
How to protect your rights as you age
Thu 22
Show Day
CLOSED
Tue 27
The Breed
60s rock to celebrate to the 100th meeting of the Hobart Older Persons Reference Group (HOPRG)!
Wed 28
Talking Café
Come along for a chat and a cuppa
Spring Concert
Variety show by theatre group Playing Our Part
Long Table Lunch
Special 3-course meal to celebrate Spring
IT Learning Club
New IT topic each fortnight
Fri 2
Sun 4 Fri 9
Sun 11
Mon 12
Wed 14 Thu 15 Fri 16 Fri 16
Wed 21
Wed 28 Thu 29 Fri 30
LM = Lower Mathers, UM = Upper Mathers, CH = Criterion House
Stand-Up for Seniors . . . but not necessarily on the bus
Children’s Lunch
In addition to the regular lunch we are serving at Mathers House, we have special lunch meals for children throughout October. Bring along your grandkids for a healthy and tasty meal!
Join us for comedy, magic and song with the wonderful Daryl Peebles! He has taken his show “Stand Up for Seniors... but not necessarily on the bus” to the Melbourne International Comedy Festival in 2025 and subsequently performed it at the Geelong Comedy Festival, Brisbane and Auckland – Mathers House is next!
When: Monday – Friday October only Time: 12 – 1.30 pm Where: Upper Mathers Cost: $7 per child Includes two courses
When: Wednesday 14 October Time: 2 – 3 pm Where: Upper Mathers Cost: Gold coin 8
Creative arts and crafts
Games
Themed lunch
Performance/Film
Host
Time
At
Cost
Booking
Rosa
10 am – 12 pm
LM
$2
Call 6234 1441
Casual
1.30 – 3.30 pm
UM
$2 or $5 afternoon tea Call 6234 1441
Sam
1 – 3 pm
LM
Free
Not required
Mathers
12 – 1.30 pm
UM
Normal prices
Not required
City of Hobart
2 – 3 pm
TBC
Free
Not required
Paula & Frances
11 am – 12 pm
LM
Free
Not required
Mathers
2 – 3 pm
UM
Gold Coin
Call 6234 1441
Heather
10 am – 12 pm
Off site
Free
Not required
Rosa
10 am – 12 pm
LM
$2
Call 6234 1441
Library
1.45 – 3.15 pm
LM
Free
Not required
Mathers
12.30 – 1 pm
UM
Free
Call 6234 1441
Legal Aid
1.30 – 2.30 pm
UM
Free
Call 6234 1441
City of Hobart
2 – 4 pm
UM
Free
RSVP essential Call 6234 1441
Anne
10 am – 12 pm
UM
Free
Not required
John
1.30 – 3 pm
CH
Gold Coin
Not required
Mathers
12 – 1.30 pm
UM
$25
Call 6234 1441
Rosa
10 am – 12 pm
LM
$2
Call 6234 1441
Oktoberfest Themed Lunch
Playing our Part – Variety Concert
The world’s biggest party starts in late September and we want to join the fun! We are celebrating with homecooked German-style meals and a German beer tasting.
Our drama group POP have prepared a Spring Concert to celebrate Seniors Month! There will be great entertainment with variety theatre and song. Be prepared to have a great time and enjoy afternoon tea with the group afterwards. When: Wednesdays 28 October Time: 1.30 – 3 pm Where: Criterion House Cost: Gold Coin
When: Friday 9 October Time: 12 – 1.30 pm Where: Upper Mathers Cost: Normal lunch prices $10 beer tasting selection 9
What’s On
All information is correct at time of printing. For bookings call 6234 1441 or email mathersplace@hobartcity.com.au
November activities
Lifelong learning
Fitness
Health and wellbeing
Date
Activity
Description
Sun 1
Great Balls of Fibre
Knitting, crochet and craft for men
Book Club
Discuss your monthly book over coffee
Quiz
Fun filled knowledge quiz
IT Learning Club
New IT topic each fortnight
Lunch Talk
Diabetes & Nutrition with Myles Clarkson Fletcher
Fri 6
Mon 9 Fri 13 Fri 13
Wed 18 Thu 19 Fri 20
Wed 25 Fri 27
Meet and Mingle Afternoon Meet new people over afternoon tea Coffee Walk
Botanical Gardens, meet by top main gate
Friday Films
Two Bit Waltz (2014), 1 hr 21 mins, rated MA15+
Talking Café
Come along for a chat and a cuppa
IT Learning Club
New IT topic each fortnight
LM = Lower Mathers, UM = Upper Mathers, CH = Criterion House
Meet and Mingle Afternoon
The most energising thing can be to feel connected and to meet new people. After our successful Meet and Mingle Afternoon in winter, we are looking forward to a spring session. Join us for a casual afternoon with activities, good chats and afternoon tea.
IT Classes
We have very knowledgeable volunteers who can help you with questions about your mobile phone, computer, laptop and iPad. Call us to make an appointment for a one-onone session.
When: Wednesday 18 November Time: 2 – 4 pm Where: Upper Mathers Cost: $5
When: Mondays & Tuesdays Time: By appointment only Where: Upper Mathers Cost: Free Call 6234 1441
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Creative arts and crafts
Games
Performance/Film
Themed lunch
Host
Time
At
Cost
Booking
Sam
1 – 3 pm
LM
Free
Not required
Casual
1.30 – 3.30 pm
UM
$2 or $5 afternoon tea Call 6234 1441
Paula & Frances
11 am – 12 pm
LM
Free
Not required
Rosa
10 am – 12 pm
LM
$2
Call 6234 1441
Mathers
12.30 – 1 pm
UM
Free
Call 6234 1441
Mathers
2 – 4 pm
UM
$5
Call 6234 1441
Heather
10 am – 12 pm
Off site
Free
Not required
Library
1.45 – 3.15 pm
LM
Free
Not required
Anne
10 am – 12 pm
UM
Free
Not required
Rosa
10 am – 12 pm
LM
$2
Call 6234 1441
Lunch Talk with Myles Clarkson Fletcher
Many of us are living with diabetes or know someone who is. As it is World Diabetes Day on Saturday 14th November, we have invited Myles Clarkson Fletcher, a credentialled Diabetes Educator, Registered Nurse and lecturer at UTAS to talk about the importance of nutrition while enjoying a diabetes-friendly lunch.
Volunteering at Mathers
You can make a difference by volunteering here at Mathers House. It is a wonderful way to contribute while boosting your mental and physical wellbeing. We have roles in the kitchen and cafe (9.30 am – 1.30 pm), Meet and Greet in the reception (10 am – 1.30 pm) and becoming a program leader. We’re happy to discuss with you any skill or interest that you have and would like to share with the community!
When: Friday 13 November Time: 12.30 – 1 pm Where: Upper Mathers Cost: Attendance free Normal lunch prices Bookings essential
Scan the QR code to open the City of Hobart volunteering website. 11
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Criterion House
Access from Bathurst Street or Criterion Street
Fill in the form at: hobartcity.com.au/ positive-ageing or email: mathersplace@hobartcity.com.au If you have already gone digital please let us know so we can remove you from the hard copy post list. The trees will thank you.
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State Library of Tasmania
Mathers House
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Sign up for Hobart News Visit hobartcity.com.au/hobartnews Every effort is made to ensure the information in this brochure is correct at the time of printing. For information on additional events added throughout the season, changes to events or unscheduled class cancellations please follow us on Facebook.
Opening hours: 9.30 am – 3 pm, Monday to Friday Mathers House Mathers Lane 108 – 110 Bathurst Street Hobart
Room bookings available for community groups, commercial groups and individuals. Visit hobartcity.com.au/venues
Cover image: Digital collage by Hendrikje Lange
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