Mrs Hanna Enders, of Dickson, was an indefatigable woman whose efforts in helping people "overcome frustration, boredom and to live a healthy life" led to the operation of the Dickson Neighbourhood Centre.
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The centre, in Hawdon Street off Antill Street, was originally the venue for discussion groups "where people could come and listen to different speakers voicing their opinions", but steadily grew into a focal point for numerous other activities.
Without the help of any government grant, Mrs Enders proceeded with her own time and resources to use the 'Parents Without Partners' building as a "community centre". Some of the activities, besides discussion groups, included chess, mahjong, yoga and guitar.
She began instigating her moves at the end of 1978 and by early 1979 had the start of what was fast becoming a venue for a variety of activities.
"If one makes up his mind about doing something, then it can be done", Mrs Enders is quick to point out. "If you have dreams, the vision will not be impossible to attain."
Mrs Enders was an outspoken advocate of healthy living. As a spry 74-year-old she attributed her good health to the use of herbs and produce from her organic garden.
"For a peaceful, happy healthy life, swimming 365 days of the year is best", she said.
The next best thing was yoga. Mrs Enders had done yoga for decades. She scaled Uluru in the mid-1970s — and was the only person to do so in her tour group of 38 people — and attributed her success to "training in yoga".
Doctors started sending their patients to the centre to join the yoga classes.
Born in Budapest and raised in Berlin and Vienna, Mrs Enders was a dress maker who specialised in theatre and ballet costumes after her arrival in Australia in the early 1950s. She lived in Sydney before her move to Canberra in 1963.
She turned her hand to numerous projects, having an interest in floral art, chess, violin, helping people with organic gardening and farming, the Canberra Opera Society and the neighbourhood centre.
The format of activities at the centre occupied a lot of her time.
Although Mrs Enders met with difficulties in starting activities at the centre, she was not in the least bit disheartened.
"Increasing attendances show a need of North Canberra residents for stimulating contact with other people and it is through the establishment of the centre that these needs are being satisfied", she said at the time.
For Mrs Hanna Enders, patience and determination slowly but surely was reaping the "joy of sharing knowledge with others with good results".
The article originally appeared in The Canberra Times on March 19, 1980.
