By BEN CAMERON
PAKENHAM resident Joyce Newell celebrated her 80th birthday on Tuesday by stepping out on the streets of Pakenham.
Part of Outlook’s weekly Toomuc Valley Walking Group, fellow walkers organised a surprise morning tea.
Joyce is one of the original members of the group, joining in July 2012, several months after it began in February.
It now has 18 members who walk weekly for an hour at a time.
Joyce said her main motivation for joining the group was making friends.
“I joined because I am English and I moved over here to join my family,” she said.
“I found out about the group and joined so I could meet people.
“Not only does the group promote a healthy lifestyle, it also fosters social engagement and allows people to make connections with their community.
“This surprise birthday morning tea is a demonstration of the friendships that can form due to participation in the group.”
The Toomuc Valley Walking Group meets weekly at 9.30am on Tuesday mornings at the Outlook Community Centre, 24 Toomuc Valley Pakenham.
