A few mates from a retirement village getting together for a game of billiards and a beer might not seem like anything extraordinary.
But at Pinnacle Living‘s Bellarine Springs Retirement Village, in Drysdale, 20km from Geelong, Victoria, those regular gatherings have grown into something much more meaningful.
Two residents, Tom and Clive, decided the friendships formed through the village’s popular Blokes, Beers and Billiards group could help tackle an issue that often goes unspoken among older Australians.
Loneliness and mental health.
Their idea led to Bellarine Springs holding its first R U OK? Day, bringing residents together to talk openly about mental wellbeing and the importance of looking out for one another.
The event included a sausage sizzle, guest speakers and practical advice on how to start a conversation with someone who might be struggling.
Jess, from Barwon Health’s Mental Health and Wellbeing Local team, explained the free mental health services available to people living in the Greater Geelong region.
Residents also heard from community ambassador Natalie Woodfull, who shared her personal experiences with mental health and the strategies that helped her through challenging times.
Her message was simple: reaching out and staying connected can make an enormous difference.
Residents were encouraged to ask questions, learn about available support and recognise when someone might need a friendly conversation.
For Tom and Clive, what began as a social gathering over the billiards table became an opportunity to make a difference across their community.
Local businesses also supported the event, helping turn the residents’ idea into a village-wide occasion.
Having neighbours nearby, shared facilities and regular activities create opportunities for friendships that might not develop as easily when living alone.
And those friendships can become particularly important when life gets difficult.
