Terry O'Hara wasn't sure what to expect when he was invited to an outing with an organisation catering solely for retired or semi-retired men.
The group is called TOFS, which is short for Touring Old Farts, although a puzzled tour guide at one place they visited thought it might be Too Old For Sex.
Mr O'Hara, who retired two years ago, said it didn't take long for him to make up his mind about the group.
"I just felt like I was very welcome among guys I had never met before," he said.
"There were people with all walks of life and job backgrounds, but there was no class distinction, which appealed to me.
"You are allowed to go on up to three outings without having to join, but I made my decision on the first day and have never regretted it.
”I believe it is a great organisation.”
Mr O'Hara, of Kareela, was elected president this year, and is keen to spread the word to retired or semi-retired men in St George and Sutherland Shire.
There are already a sprinkling of members from the area.
Mr O’Hara was joined for a promotional photo by Peter Madden, who also lives at Kareela, Don Jackson (Miranda), Robert O’Hara (Connells Point) and Paul Murphy (Oatley).
The many places TOFS has visited range from the Sydney Cricket Ground, Bradman Museum, Sydney Jewish Museum and Barrenjoey Lighthouse to the Newcastle Maritime Museum, Valley Heights Rail Museum, Margin’s Mushroom Farm and Justice and Police Museum.
TOFS was founded on the Central Coast nine years ago, and sub-groups exist in Gosford, Ku-ring-gai and Greater Sydney.
Mr OHara said the present membership was 195, of whom about 150 were active.
“There are four outings a month, but you don’t have to go on every one,” he said.
“It’s all organised through emails and on the website.”
Mr O’Hara said a partners day was held in September each year, but otherwise it was restricted to men..
“Our founders believed that many retired or semi-retired men often spent too much time at home and needed an incentive to get out and about,” he said.
“As TOFS members, they have the opportunity to not only enjoy a variety of regular and interesting outings but at the same time, develop great friendships with their fellow members.”
The TOFS website says the incorporated, not for profit social group caters for retired or semi-retired men from 55 to 87 “and we come in all shapes and sizes and in various conditions of health and fitness.”
“We take advantage of travel concessions allowed on the Seniors Card, by having regular day outings to places of interest including museums, big business...and regular organised walks.
“We lunch at clubs, pubs...and then return home.
“Our aims include fun, fellowship, education, wellbeing and male camaraderie.”
Previous occupations of members have included bankers, engineers, store keepers, fisherman, tradesman, entertainer, optometrist, teachers, sailor, naval officer, printers, accountants, bus drivers, policeman, doctor, publican, air steward and veterinarian.
Visit: https://tpv.sr/1QoBRVJ/
Inquiries: tofstc@bigpond.com