Far North Queensland Dementia Alliance and Edge Hill Memorial Bowls Club partner to provide accessible and inclusive social and recreational opportunities

The Far North Queensland (FNQ) Dementia Alliance was formed to promote and grow the local Dementia-Friendly Community Program, which aims to support people with dementia and their families. It brings people and organisations together to provide opportunities for peer support and access to regular accessible and inclusive social and recreational supports such as those enjoyed at Edge Hill Memorial Bowls Club, in Cairns.

On the second Tuesday of each month, at 9.30am, at Edge Hill Memorial Bowls Club, the FNQ Dementia Alliance holds ‘come and try’ bowling activities suitable for beginners and the more experienced bowler.

It’s followed by morning tea and sometimes entertainment such as a ‘sing-along’. Bowling costs $5 per person while morning tea is via a $2 donation.

On the fourth Tuesday of each month, also at 9.30am, at the Edge Hill Memorial Bowls Club, the FNQ Dementia Alliance holds an information session. There is a morning tea for people with dementia, their support people, family and interested members of the public.

Often guest speakers are engaged to provide information of relevance, including legal focused sessions, provider and support suppliers available locally and regionally, and it looks to provide general information often not easily accessible to the group.

During this activity, people with dementia, their families and carers often share their experiences – the positives and difficulties of living with dementia and ways to deal with the challenges many people face.

FNQ Dementia Alliance team member (and Edge Hill Memorial Bowls Club Secretary), Ms Jeannie Wild praised the club for creating this initiative.

“We have been strongly supported by the Edge Hill Memorial Bowls Club to create this alliance,” she said.

“The club is very inclusive and accessible, and it has gone to considerable effort to support people with disability, including those with dementia and their families.”

Initiatives put in place by the Edge Hill Memorial Bowls Club, in consultation with the FNQ Dementia Alliance, include a wheelchair accessible ramp from the street and carpark to the clubhouse; both ladies and men’s bathrooms are easily accessible from the clubhouse veranda and inside the facility.

There is a ramp that allows access by the specially designed bowling wheelchairs to the bowling rink, along with a specially designed support step and handrail that provides access for people to safely enter and exit the rink.

In addition, internal exit doors to toilets have been painted a different colour to the walls and toilet seats are different colours to the walls, so people with dementia and sight issues can easily identify them and don’t get confused in the bathroom, not knowing the way out.

Edge Hill Memorial Bowls Club has also purchased specialised crockery so a person with dementia or sight issues can easily identify the different contrasting colours of food on their plate.

In addition, Edge Hill Memorial Bowls Club staff have completed the FNQ Dementia Alliance’s ‘Dementia Host Program’, which provides an understanding of what it means to have Dementia and to know how and what to do when a guest is having trouble expressing themselves.

“It is inspiring to now see some of our guests with dementia or other disabilities and their families regularly coming to the club,” Ms Wild said.

“Many people have made positive comments, regarding the difference the dementia-friendly atmosphere has made to them and their loved ones by offering a safe and friendly environment where they see a friendly smile and a word of acknowledgement from management and staff.

“Simple gestures such as these greatly help to alleviate some of the stress people feel if they have been isolated for a while.”

Ms Wild said offering people with disability, including dementia opportunities to remain connected to the community, is a big step for them and their family.

“What the FNQ Dementia Alliance and Edge Hill Memorial Bowls Club is doing here is just one small step, but it is very meaningful and much appreciated by all that come and visit us,” she said.

The FNQ Dementia Alliance and Edge Hill Memorial Bowls Club say there’s always room for more volunteers and for people to participate in their activities.

Ms Wild said they would like to see more people attend to support the steadily growing dementia population in and around Cairns.

To find out more about FNQ Dementia Alliance and Edge Hill Memorial Bowls Club activities, contact

Jillian Alexander-Sasche via email dementiafriends@edgehillbowls.com.au.

Alternatively come along to an activity day on the second Tuesday of each month or an information session on the fourth Tuesday of each month, at Edge Hill Memorial Bowls Club. RSVPs for either activity, email dementiafriends@edgehillbowls.com.au.

Mission Australia is a Partner in the Community for the National Disability Insurance Scheme across Cairns Region. It is delighted to support organisations such as the FNQ Dementia Alliance and Edge Hill Memorial Bowls Club, who are collaborating to increase opportunities for people with disability, including their families and carers to receive support and actively participate in a range of accessible and inclusive community-based activities.