Fulfilling need for over-35s

KATINA CURTIS

LESLEY Adair and Liz Anderson found there was a lack of fun, social events for older people in the Illawarra, so decided to do something about it.

That something has turned into Club 46, a specialist events company providing a variety of events at different venues in the region for people aged over 35.

“It was Liz’s idea; she wanted to cater for 40 to 60 year olds, the more up-class, mature market, because there’s nothing really out there except pubs and clubs,” Ms Adair said.

They launched the company with a Swing into Summer evening at Rydges in Wollongong, which was attended by more than 100 people.

“It was unbelievable, I’ve never seen so many people on the dance floor,” Ms Adair said. “There was good conversation, good wine, good company, and that’s what we aim for.”

She said they were promoting their events mainly via word of mouth, but also with letterbox drops of flyers and through their website, where people can sign up for a fortnightly email update.

“We’ve got nearly 500 people on our database now, so that’s an indication that people want this,” she said.

They are positioning themselves as a social club, but have also organised some singles events on request.

“Most of our events are partnered, coupled, married, gay, single – whatever people want,” Ms Adair said. “When you get to our age, you’re not worried about going to places on your own.”

One of the things she thought was making the events so successful was the passion she and Ms Anderson had for what they were doing.

Her husband, Hans, agreed, saying: “The two girls run it as best they can and there’s a warmth about it that you don’t often see in business.”

Part of this warmth comes from the fact they work together very well.

Ms Adair said they made a good blend because she was a “real cross the T’s and dot the I’s gal, organised” while Ms Anderson was “brilliant at marketing”.

Their next major event is a New Year’s Eve cocktail party with dance band The Villains at Rydges in Wollongong.

For more information, visit www.club46.com.au or call 0413 547 844.