Frenchs Forest Laughter Club – The Last Laugh
Frenchs Forest Laughter Club (2002 – 2012)
Frenchs Forest Laughter Club - Volunteer Laughter Leader Wanted
Frenchs Forest Laughter Club (also known as Forest Laughter Club) held it’s last session today, 28 January 2012. The Club is suspended for the time being, perhaps closed forever, until a new laughter leader(s) can be found. The current leaders of the club said overall numbers attending have been dwindling and the decision was made not to keep the club running every Saturday morning. However if there are any volunteer laughter leaders who want to take over running the club, they would be more than welcome to do so and the current leaders (Nichole, Cathy, Bev & Jenny) would give them support to get the club going again.
Judy, Sue and Honoré, the founders of Frenchs Forest Laughter Club, said the group started in early 2002. The club was well attended during the early years, with lots of media attention being given. The thought of a club where you go to laugh is, after all, funny. Frenchs Forest Laughter Club is probably the third laughter club to be created in Sydney (after Hunters Hill and Newtown, both started in May 2001) and also the Cronulla Laughter Club has been around a very long time. Around 2006 the running of the club was handed over to Nichole, Cathy, Bev and Jenny. The photo above shows Honoré, Judy and Sue. The founders of Forest Laughter Club in 2002.
Judy was there when I had my first introduction to laughter clubs in November 2002. I was pulled up on stage by Shirley Hicks to participate in a demonstration laughter club session at the Mind Body Spirit Festival at Darling Harbour. I had never participated at one before. Within a few minutes something was triggered inside me and I couldn’t stop laughing. Even when the session ended I wanted to keep on laughing. I remember following Judy off the stage and along the corridor, laughing. I remember the look on her face of “why is this laughing guy following me?” I wanted the laughter to continue, but stopped tailing her as I realized it was over. So disappointed was I, but now enthused about laughter clubs. I experienced a high from the laughter. So meeting up with Judy this morning at Frenchs Forest LC was a sentimental moment for me.
Bev explained to me that attending the laughter group has benefited her so much. Sometimes when she wasn’t in the mood, faking the laughs and going through the motions, would give her same benefits as if she really felt like laughing. She would get a boost. The style of the Frenchs Forest club was an energetic one. Laughs were thrown around from the word get go, and the sessions were very active, with members taking turns to lead a laugh each.
I also met Jim Murphy at Frenchs Forest last laughter session today. That’s me with Jim in the photo to the left. For many years, Jim has run the Laughter Club at the Balgowlah School for Seniors. He informed me that the group is closing too as Jim’s regular membership was also reducing; one of the members recently passed away at 105. Balgowlah Laughter Club has been around almost as long as the Frenchs Forest Club.
There are many factors that may be contributing to the decline in laughter clubs. Our busy lifestyles are probably a major reason. However, paradoxically the fast pace of life is even more reason to gain the real benefits from laughter. But many people don’t get the message that even fake laughter can give the same benefits as real laughing. And that acting exuberantly can create the feeling of exuberance. To many people, laughing publicly, albeit in a group, is socially challenging. It is the fear of looking stupid and it just isn’t for them. However, sometimes doing things outside one’s comfort zone can produce great rewards. Offsetting the loss of Frenchs Forest & Balgowlah laughter clubs are two new recently established clubs, Ashfield LC and Lindfield LC
Written by Bev and Usuff
Wow! Great article and website. I must admit I had no idea why you were asking the questions and why you wanted to take the photos. Just wanted to correct one point 3 of us started the group, Sue, Honore and I.
I hope we can find another volunteer as the Laughter Club has given me great lessons in letting go of the EGO and simply being oneself and let it be………..
Thank you and all the best
Thank you, Judy. The article has been amended to show the fact you, Honoré AND Sue are the founders of the club in 2002. This was what I thought. The post above was edited a few times between different contributors, so that’s where the error crept in. Sorry to leave you out Sue!! Your now fully recognized as a founder.
Usuff
What a wonderful web site, congratulations
It was so good to have been there for the beginnings of the group, we had so much fun, lots of learning relaxing and letting go,, so many benefits . We did take the skills to Timor Leste and the Timorese people just loved the laughter, bringing so much healing to this 3rd world country. And then to be there for the last laugh, was a pleasure.
All the best Sue
Thanks for launching the club in 2002, Sue. I still look fondly back at that time ten years ago when laughter had this air of expansive possibilities about it. I so admire and take pride in your bringing laughter to Timor. I’m sure you’re touching the lives of many Timorese. Laughter brings hope.
Great article! I had the pleasure of participating in the French’s Forest Laughter group on a trip to “downunder” a couple of years ago. I couldn’t imagine until I got to the park with Sue and Judy and joined in …..and actually got to lead some of the gafaws, how much fun it was. All your wonderful, uplifting and healing hormones are released with a good belly laugh. Remember when you were a child how you would laugh hysterically with your cousins over something silly one of you said? …….And if you were drinking milk through a straw, it became even funnier as the fluid flew out your nose. I used to laugh until I couldn’t get my breath. I still do sometimes when something tickles my funnybone. I have a good funnybone and I am grateful for that. . Laughter releases histamines; that’s why you eventually have to stop to get your breath, when you start wheezing. I’m sorry to hear the Club has closed after a 10 year run but maybe folks are getting their laughs on the email notes they get nowadays. There are some pretty funny ones around. Again, thanks for the splendid article; it made me laugh to see you all having one last laugh.
Sandy Hammersmark, Rancho Palos Verdes, California, USA
Isn’t it wonderful how laughter ripples across the earth? So wonderful to hear of your experiences at Forest LC, Sandy. You’re only 40min from the laughter club at Seal Beach, Sandy. I was there just a couple of months ago. Had lots of fun there. So the ripples travel in both directions.
ha ha Usuff, Got the urge to check in and see what you were up to and lo and behold…a reference to our laughter club here in Seal…ha ha ha.
Sorry to read the Forest Laughter Club has disbanded. I’m pondering why attendance sometimes dwindles at laughter clubs. Perhaps we underestimate how deeply ingrained, old habit patterns can be. Some folks revert back and accept stress as something that feels normal. And as you said, busy lifestyles compete with committing to laughter club.
But on the positive side, “things change”, and from the Tao Te Ching….”Amidst the worldly comings and goings, observe how endings become beginnings.” Something new and wonderful is on the horizon for all of you. woo-hoo!
Gratitude Laughter goes out to Honoré, Judy, Sue, Nichole, Cathy, Bev and Jenny and everyone who has shared laughter at Forest. YaY!
Connected in Joy,
fa la la ha ha…
Funs