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Never too old to learn for Broadford resident

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By Colin MacGillivray

‘You’re never too old to have a go’ is a motto Broadford’s Shirley Kowalski lives by.

Ms Kowalski turns 83 this year but refuses to let anything – aside, perhaps, from a sore knee – slow her down.

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The sprightly octogenarian has taken up the sport of tennis this year despite never before playing the sport.

“A couple of months ago I went away to Ocean Grove with a friend from Ballarat. After our trip I stayed one night at her place before I went back to Broadford and she said ‘I’m going to play tennis, are you coming with me?’” Ms Kowalski said.

“I’d never played in my life, but she said I should come have a hit. I was on the court for an hour with her and two of her friends, and I loved it.

“I came home and the very next day I went and bought myself a tennis racquet.”

Ms Kowalski sought out the services of Broadford Tennis Club coach Melissa Douglas and said she loved having weekly tennis lessons.

“I started getting a lot better. Just recently I had a rally of 11 shots before I missed, which my coach said was fantastic,” she said.

“Melissa is a great coach and a great woman. She knows what she’s doing.”

Ms Kowalski said seeking new challenges helped her stay active and kept her feeling good.

“I used to think I was too old for things,” she said.

“For my 80th birthday I had a ride on a Harley Davidson bike. That was my wish because it was something I’d never been on in my life.

“Tennis has helped a bit because it keeps you active. I feel good afterwards. I used to think I’d never be able to play tennis – not an old lady like me.”

Ms Kowalski said knee soreness had temporarily halted her lessons but she planned to be back on the court soon.

She said life was too short to put off having new experiences.

“I’ve had a few people ask me what I’m doing playing tennis at my age. I just turn around and say ‘well, you’re never too old to have a go’,” she said.

“You’ve got to have a go. I don’t believe in shutting myself inside. I’ve got to get out and do something and be active.

“Now I’ve just taken up something else – I’m learning the clarinet. I’m in the Mitchell Shire [Concert] Band. I’ve only had two lessons so far so I’ll see how that goes.”

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