We have 21 regular/recurring interest groups and activities. Groups generally meet during the day, on a weekly or monthly basis, although there are some evening and weekend groups.

The interest groups are the main focus of SWIC and allow members to socialise, learn, have fun and make friends. They are generally held at members’ homes or at a community centre or sports facility. While Art & Culture takes us all over Sydney to galleries and cultural institutions, other groups involve sport, foreign language conversation, reading, craft, strategy games like Bridge and Mah-jong, going to the theatre, lunching, or out for a casual social night. The range of groups grows and develops over time, depending on the interests of our members. If you have a special interest you’d like to pursue, there is scope to create a new interest group.

Interest Groups include:

Art & Culture focuses on visits, every third Tuesday of the month, to art galleries and places of cultural interest in and around Sydney.

Book Group meets on the second Tuesday of the month at two venues hosted by members. The book list for the year is selected at an annual lunch.

Intermediate standard Bridge is enjoyed on Monday afternoons at two locations – one in the eastern suburbs and the other on the north shore.

This group is for members who enjoy classical music. They meet on selected
Fridays from 10.15am-12noon for ‘Tea and Symphony’ concerts by the Sydney
Symphony Orchestra at the Sydney Opera House

The Craft Group meets on the first Friday of each month, with members working on their latest projects over a light lunch.

This lunch group meets on the on the first Thursday of each month, alternating between Western and Asian cuisine and mixing it up from ‘cheap eats’ to ‘hatted’ restaurants.

The Evening Book Group meets monthly on a Monday evening and is for members who may be working or have daytime commitments. There are two groups – one in the Eastern Suburbs and one on the North Shore. The reading list differs from that of the Tuesday book group.

Convened by native French speakers, this activity is held on the fourth Monday of the month and is aimed at those who want to ‘polish up’ their oral French and those who enjoy speaking with their compatriots.

This is all about conversation over a cup of coffee, and is aimed at those who want to practise their German and those who enjoy staying in touch with their mother tongue. The group meets on the fourth Friday of the month.

Nine holes of friendly golf are played on Friday mornings at the charming Warringah Golf Course in North Manly and on Wednesday mornings at Woollahra in the eastern suburbs. The groups combine for an annual golf tournament.

Go Saturday is for members who want to explore the cultural aspects of Sydney at a leisurely pace and in an informal self-guided atmosphere. The group meets on the fourth Saturday afternoon of the month.

Held on the third Tuesday of the month, this is a social group which gathers in
the early evening for drinks and conversation, with dinner, movies or shows
optional.

Mah-jong is played every Thursday afternoon at two different venues. No experience is necessary as the Western form of the game can be taught and new members are always welcome.

Monthly Activity focuses on visits, every fourth Thursday of the month, to places of interest in Sydney.

This is for members who enjoy board games. The Rummikub players meet on the second and third Friday at a set venue.

Held on the fourth Tuesday of the month. A relaxed and informal activity for artistic members, all levels welcome. Bring your own materials.

This is all about conversation over a cup of coffee, and is aimed at those who want to practise their Spanish and those who enjoy staying in touch with their mother tongue. The group meets on the third Monday of the month.

Tennis is played on Thursday mornings in the eastern suburbs and on Monday mornings on the north shore. There’s also an annual tournament with lunch to follow.

Theatre Group is an opportunity to attend the theatre with friends and enjoy a pre- or post-theatre meal and chat. The Convenors identify a ‘play’ each month and members buy their own tickets. The day of the month varies, depending on the performance.

This group meets four times a year, and is an opportunity to share travel experiences with other SWIC members who are planning to travel.

Explore Sydney Walk is on the second Wednesday of each month and involves moderate exercise of 5-7 kms over 2 hours, with the added bonus of exploration and learning about the history of our beautiful harbour city.

Short Walk, on the third Wednesday of the month, is for those who prefer level terrain and a walk of up to 3 kms.

Challenging Walk, which takes place on the first Tuesday of the month, is for those who like challenging bush and coastal walks of about 9-11 kms and which take 3-4 hours.

Information Services

SWIC Website 

The SWIC website is our main communications medium. Members can read the President’s Monthly Message, look at the Welcome New Members page, peruse the Events Calendar and book and pay for events, view the Photo Gallery of events as they happen, download useful Documents, and in the SWIC History section see how the club has evolved over the past 25 years.

SWIC Monthly Newsletter

Quite recently introduced, the Monthly Newsletter is emailed to members and is aimed at keeping them in touch with SWIC while our activities may be affected by the ongoing pandemic. It also includes a summary of upcoming events and activities, as published on the website, so nobody misses out.

Monthly Morning Teas
(March-November)

A morning tea – with an international flavour – is held on the second Tuesday of each month, providing an opportunity to meet new friends. We periodically hold Neighbourhood Morning Teas so that newcomers can meet local members.

Monthly Activity

Each month our activities team organises an outing to a place of special interest, open to all members.

Special Events

In February we hold our Annual General Meeting and Birthday Lunch, and in December our Christmas Lunch. Two or three times a year our committee also organises a special event which partners or friends are welcome to attend.