Our Elders knew they were in the right place when Charley Pride's 'Kiss an Angel Good Mornin' was played by the live band.
Some were swaying their hips to the beat and others were making strides forward in hopes of knocking down the ten pins that stood before them.
But while 20 teams from South East Queensland went head-to-head for the Deadly Choices Gold Cup in Brisbane, the day meant more than the trophy and individual accolades that were awarded at the end.
Above all, it was about the coming together again of mob after two long years of the COVID-19 pandemic.
"We don't have very many occasions where elders can get together so this is just a wonderful opportunity to see all our people come together," said Aunty Sharon Costelloe from the Stradbroke Warriors team.
"We sit and reminisce, have our games, laugh and listen to music — it's lovely."
Aunty Sharon (bottom, second from the right) and her Stradbroke Warriors team were eager to get over the mainland for the event as many haven't had the chance to travel since before the COVID-19 pandemic.
Teams travelled from Laidley and Ipswich, north from Gympie and the Sunshine Coast, Brisbane, Ipswich and the Gold Coast, plus the three teams from Stradbroke Island/ the Redland Bay region, to be part of the games.
Wednesday marked the seniors' mid-year games, which are played outdoors and include — darts, quoits, ten pin bowling, hole-in-the-wall, and numbers board.
The concept of the Seniors Games originated from outback Queensland, in Charleville where the community would come together to socialise and stay active.
In 2017, Uncle Dusty Fraser brought the games to South East Queensland, where Deadly Choices would support the initiative as an annual event — bringing the elders together twice a year.
"It started with two teams six years ago and has continued to grow each year," said Uncle Dusty, the Queensland Coordinator for Deadly Choice.
"My mother was in the games out in Charleville, and I didn't realise how much it meant to her and the other elders until I actually started this program here.
Olympic silver medallist Taliqua Clancy joined Uncle Dusty in awarding the winning team and individual accolades. Source: NITV
"They just love it. And the elders here they're very confident and they love the competition."
This year's games consisted of 20 years with every team with the Capalaba Warriors taking home the Deadly Choices Gold Cup.
Coming along to witness all the action were the likes of Olympic silver medallist Taliqua Clancy and league legend Steve Renouf, who are also Deadly Choices Ambassadors.
"The coming together is what they really treasure," Clancy said.
"When I spoke to a few of the elders they told they're seeing people here that they haven't seen in over 30 years.
Capalaba celebrate after winning the Gold Cup. Source: Deadly Choices
"And talking about the importance of them staying active now that they're getting older.
"There's really no better way to do anything then to do it together as mob."
You only need to meet two requirements to be part of the games — be 50 years or old and have had a health check in the past year.
"It's something that brings everyone together and something that makes everybody realise who they are, what they are and where they come from," said Uncle Billy Bonner from the Inala team.
"We here today, at this age, playing games, we're enjoying it, we're healthy and saying our life is something very important."
