Despite their excitement on the day, it is very uncertain when this lovely group of elderly Oberon residents will next be able to visit the Robey Centre.

The Robey Centre has been empty since mid September, due to the fact the supervisor has been on sick leave.

Four generous volunteers come to the Robey Centre three days a week to assist with activities, but they are unable to accommodate the elderly visitors without the supervisor.

Usually, the Robey Centre is open three days a week for around four hours for elderly residents to come and become involved in social activities and outings.

The Melbourne Cup celebration was only made possible because a member of the Oberon Hospital came and supervised the activities for the one-off event.

Volunteers from the Robey Centre are missing the weekly visits almost as much as the elderly, and say it is a real disappointment for the elderly visitors, as often the visits are the highlight of their week.

Volunteers said they wished the hospital would provide someone else to fill the position so the weekly activities can take place once more.

Volunteer Judith Caldwell said that the elderly visitors love the activities and opportunity to socialise, and that it also gives families and carers a break.

“I know one family who moved to Oberon because of the facility,” she said.

Volunteer Elizabeth McKenzie, who often drives the bus for the outings, said it was crucial that the weekly visits began again as soon as possible.

Councillor Zsuzsanna Handelsmann is very concerned about the situation, saying that the purpose of the centre is for elderly residents to stay at home, living independently for as long as possible.

“The centre is a lifeline for these people, and is very important to them,” she said.

Cr Handelsmann said the Centre was run at an extremely low cost, considering the volunteers help out without payment, and bring meals and food for the visitors.

Cr Handelsmann said that Oberon is currently trying to procure an aged care facility at a huge cost, and that Oberon says it cares about aged care.

“And the same time, we have something that is almost free and it is not working. It is suspended because one person is on sick leave,” she said.

“Are we serious about aged care or aren't we?” she asked.

Currently, the next time the Robey Centre will be open is uncertain.