Tuncurry Beach Bowling Club Recognised as Dementia-Friendly Organisation

This commendation reflects the Club’s commitment to fostering a more respectful and inclusive environment for people living with dementia, along with their families and care partners.

Over the past year, the Club has undertaken a series of initiatives to ensure its services and spaces are welcoming and accessible for everyone. Importantly, the process involved direct consultation with people living with dementia and their families, ensuring their lived experiences shaped the Club’s dementia-friendly action plan.

The Club also hosted educational sessions including “Dementia Friends” and “It Starts With You”, helping to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and promote understanding among members, staff, and the wider Forster–Tuncurry community. These sessions, along with physical upgrades and operational changes, have helped lay the foundation for a more compassionate and socially engaged local environment.

Terry Green, the Club’s Community Engagement Manager, says the recognition is a milestone achievement.

“We are honoured to receive this recognition from Dementia Australia. This achievement reflects the genuine commitment of our staff, members, and community to supporting those living with dementia. It’s another important milestone in our mission to ensure that our Club remains a safe, inclusive, and compassionate place for everyone. We’re not just a Club—we’re a community.”

The Club’s dementia-friendly status is valid for the next 12 months, during which it will continue implementing its action plan and exploring further opportunities to engage with and support those impacted by dementia.