Our first “Coffee and Chat” was held on Wednesday, 27th August, 2025.   It was a very successful event at which we welcomed 70 people.   

We hope that these events will become regular features of our church calendar, perhaps occurring every second month and that they will allow us to foster strong relationships between our church and our community. 

They will provide an opportunity for people to come together in an informal setting, to chat about topics that are important and of interest to the “Over 55s” in our community. 

Last Wednesday’s “Coffee and Chat” dealt with the challenges associated with ageing and disability – whether from the point of view of individuals or from that of people who may be responsible for caring for ageing family or community members.    

We were very fortunate to have Meagan Harding as our guest speaker.  Meagan is a Registered Nurse with extensive experience in the aged care sector.

For 22 years, she was the owner and Director of a highly successful Disability and Home Care service in Port Stephens and now owns the only Dementia and Memory Loss Specific Activity Centre in the area.  

A representative of Ansteys Medical Supply store was in attendance with a display of disability aids that might provide ideas to help with the support that ageing people might need.

Overall, the Futures Group and our church members were very happy with the success of our first “Coffee and Chat” event.

We hope to follow up with another topic that links well with this one. 

Denise Weir 

• Enquiries:
  deniseweir@bigpond.com
  0407 934 001

We will welcome a special guest speaker for our Coffee and Chat session on 27 August.

Meagan Harding is a Registered Nurse, and until recently, the owner and Director of a highly successful Disability and Home Care Service in Port Stephens for 22 years. 

Meagan now owns the only Dementia and Memory Loss specific Activity Centre in the area.   She will speak on the challenges associated with ageing and disability – an important issue in our community. 

Introducing Meagan...

Meagan Harding was awarded the 2024 Port Stephens Citizen of the Year in recognition of her extensive contributions to the Port Stephens community.

Meagan has lived in Port Stephens for over 30 years and raised her family here, as the third generation of locals in her family.

As a Registered Nurse, and until recently, the owner and Director of a highly successful Disability and Home Care Service in Port Stephens for 22 years, Meagan now owns the only Dementia and Memory Loss specific Activity Centre in the area.

Meagan is the Wellbeing Support Officer for the Nelson Bay RSL Sub Branch.

Meagan has a wide range of expertise in the issues and challenges of ageing and what you can do to live a longer, healthier, independent and valued old age. Meagan is a nurse leader, educator, facilitator, business owner, healthcare advocate, and public speaker.

• Join us to hear Meagan's story and experiences at:
  
  Port Stephens Uniting Church,
  174 Salamander  Way, Salamander Bay 2317
  on
  Wednesday, 27 August at 10.30 AM.

• Enquiries:
  deniseweir@bigpond.com
  0407 934 001