Every Tuesday, Eleanor Griffiths leads an hour-long fitness class for older people at the Ashburton Pool and Recreation Centre.
She’s been running classes there for 26 years.
The average age of participants is 77, but two are in their 90s – or three if you count Eleanor herself, who turns 92 next month.
For an hour the group of mostly women is on the move with music playing and Eleanor putting them through their paces.
Two or three men are in the group, including one who has attended for 15 years.
“I’m really just a traffic cop,” Eleanor smiled. “They’re a wonderful group of people who love to be active and it’s all to do with attitude – what you want now and into the future.
"I say to the 93 and 94-year-old who come along, what are we going to do when we’re older?
“I have no patience with negativity – it’s so destructive. As some people get older they whinge about what they can’t do.
"I say to everyone, share the good, the bad and the ugly – live with what you’ve been given.
“People who get despondent just need to blow their nose, have a cup of tea and get on with it.”
Eleanor proudly fights against ageing stereotypes, and the fitness class she runs is not just about staying active and physically healthy.
I have no patience with negativity... People who get despondent just need to blow their nose, have a cup of tea and get on with it.
- Eleanor Griffiths, 91-year-old fitness instructor
She says the friendships made are so important and for many women in particular, including a number of widows, the weekly session is a critical point of social contact.
“The Ashburton Centre is fantastic," she said.
"They expect that people of all ages who come to swim and attend different classes will continue to use the centre until they’re my age at least.
ON A MISSION
“After travelling to the Greek Islands a while back, I came home with a mission – the Ashy Angels.
“Class members donate a gold coin each week to a fund so underprivileged people in the area can join in programs at the centre.
"I was born into the Great Depression, so I know about underprivileged people. Individually it’s not much, but collectively look what we can do – we’ve raised $6300 in two years.”
Outside of her fitness instruction work, Eleanor finds plenty to keep her busy. She is an artist and art teacher, she's learning to play the flute and is also learning Italian.
“The flute isn’t easy to learn, but that won’t stop me,” she said. “I think it would be easy to give up Italian sometimes too, but I won’t.”
Eleanor is also computer-savvy, having taken courses at U3A to ensure she could keep up with her grandchildren.
“If you have a challenge that gets you out of bed in the morning, that’s good – it keeps you going,” she said. "The way I look at it is I do because I can and I can because I do.”
- Ashburton Pool & Recreation Centre is run by the YMCA, phone (03) 9885-0333, www.ashburton.boroondaraleisure.com.au
Read more: Want strong legs 11? Try treadmill bingo