THE REGION’S senior population will take the spotlight in October for the annual Wattle Range Council Celebrate Seniors Month.
Venues throughout the area will host a diverse range of events to honour the important contributions made by our senior community.
More than 30 events feature in this year’s busy calendar, including mystery bus trips, a free movie and a lunch pub crawl.
The month-long celebration will begin on October 3 at the Millicent Civic and Arts Centre, featuring entertainment by the Beachport Ukelele Group and country western music by the Williams Group.
Attendees will be spoiled for choice with an array of food and beverages prepared by The Shearer’s Cook Cafe.
Wattle Range Council environmental health officer Catarina Santos encouraged community members to attend and celebrate the positive aspects of ageing.
“We all feel very young inside and it’s important to have fun, meeting people around your age group and developing friendships,” she said.
“It’s important to remove people from being isolated and encourging peope to get out and give something new a go.”
More than 20 health and wellbeing, community organisations and medical practitioners will pack out the Millicent Civic and Arts Centre on October 18 for an aged care expo.
Ms Santos said the event would include stall holders from a variety of service providers as well as a free sausage sizzle and free Lions doughnuts.
“We find a lot of our senior population don’t have a lot of knowledge when it comes to finding out what services are around,” she said.
“The expo is a great opportunity for people to come and find out information whether it is on health, legal issues or aged care.
“Seniors can maximise their independence through learning information that is relevant to them.”
The month will conclude with the senior of the year award Presentation at the Millicent and District Community Club on October 31 at 1.30pm.
Seniors are encouraged to sport their best cocktail hat, with prizes for the best and most amusing male and female hat.
“Last year we had a dress-up event for the opening ceremony and that was very successful,” Ms Santos said.
“We thought the closing ceremony would be a good opportunity for seniors to have fun this year.”
Nominations for the senior of the year award presentation are now open and must be received by council before 5pm on October 9.
Celebrate Seniors Month programs and senior of the year nomination forms are available at Millicent, Beachport and Penola council offices.
