BINGO IS COMING
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BINGO is making a resurgence in Cairns as hundreds are gathering at venues across the city to make friends.
Redlynch player Julie Welsh said, as a migrant, bingo was her favourite way to make new friends.
“I’ve been playing bingo since I arrived in Australia,” she said.
“Because I’ve lived everywhere I always look for a place to play bingo in every new town.”
She said she had been playing bingo at the Cairns Brass Hall for the last five years.
“I meet all my friends there to play and I also meet new people,” she said.
“I always look forward to Thursdays because it’s my one day to relax when I play bingo.”
Cairns Brass Hall Bingo organiser Pauline Ogden has been playing bingo for more than 50 years and is sharing her love for the inclusive game with other players.
“I’ve been playing for years. I started playing in England I’ve been here for 50 years now and I’ve spent 15 years at this job,” she said.
“It’s my way of meeting people and being myself with them.
“If you win that’s just an added bonus.”
She said the variety of players in the region were vast as travellers from across the world sought out bingo halls in the city.
“We recently had an English couple come in ... we do get visitors,” she said.
“We try to help our visitors as much as possible with bingo and also with feeling at home when they’re visiting Cairns.”
“Bingo here has been going for about 34 years and some regulars have been playing since it first opened.
“Bingo is a great place to meet people — as long as you’re quiet while we’re playing.
“I won’t ever give up playing bingo unless I absolutely have to.”