Words by Jodie Powell
The Deception Bay RSL Sub Branch has put its bingo sessions on hold.
The sessions were due to resume on January 14, but organiser Stephen Boucher says the decision is in the interests of the health and safety of patrons.
Stephen has been calling games across the region since he came out of the Army in 1968 and says this year’s bingo season was shaping up to be a winner before COVID-19 began to spready rapidly.
"I'm 94 and I haven't left home for a fortnight and it wouldn't be safe to put people at risk," he says.
Having served with the British Army for 18 years and the Australian Army for 16, he’s proud to give back to the veteran community, with money raised from bingo sessions helping fund the Sub Branch’s work.
“I’ve been an entertainer – I used to sing like Bing Crosby, and I sang at schools around the area – at 94 I still sing a bit,” Stephen says.
“I was the adopted veteran at St Eugene’s College.”
Stephen started bingo at the Deception Bay Bowls Club before moving to the RSL Sub Branch and while he’s joined at sessions by fellow caller Tony now, he’s itching to get back into Friday morning games when it's safe.
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