Mrs Verkerk, who has lived in Castledare Village for the past four years, said she looked forward to her weekly visit to friends who were members of a Dutch group that met at the Bentley-based centre on Wednesdays.
“It is important. It is one of the highlights of the week, not only for me but for two more ladies from here,” she said.
“We have friends there. It is a break. Otherwise I would be fairly lonely, although I have a big family but they have so much on.”
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READ NOWThe centre is a meeting place for multicultural communities, including groups from Italian, Spanish, Dutch, Polish, Vietnamese, Chinese and other Asian communities.
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Mrs Verkerk said she was concerned her group would end once Pendana’s day centre activities moved to the Silver Chain Group.
“It’d be a disaster – we would be sitting at home,” she said.
“If Silver Chain can provide exactly the same service then that would be fine.
“Now it is fantastic. I get picked up here by a van from council and then we arrive and get a coffee and biscuits or cake.”
She said her group had regular outings and as part of the $21 fee each Wednesday members enjoyed a three-course lunch.
“We do exercises, games and have fun,” she said.