Central Gippsland Health Service (CGHS) is pleased to announce the resounding success of the 2024 Victorian Seniors Festival, held across the region throughout October. Held on behalf of the Wellington Shire Council this year’s festival, themed “Explore, Engage, Evolve,” drew more than 1,500 participants who enjoyed a vibrant array of events and activities designed to celebrate seniors and promote well-being, social connection, and lifelong learning.
The month-long festival offered something for everyone, from “Dance through the Decades,” a lively community dance event, to peaceful yoga workshops and elegant high teas. Every event encouraged older adults to engage with their community, explore new interests, and embrace new ways to stay active and connected.
Kelly Morris, the Community Networks and Volunteer Support Officer at Central Gippsland Health Service, along with Hayley Furlong, Positive Ageing and Disability Partnership Officer at Wellington Shire Council emphasized the significance of community engagement, stating, “The importance of getting people engaged with and within their community cannot be understated. Programs like the Victorian Seniors Festival play a crucial role in fostering connections and enhancing the overall quality of life for our seniors.”
The pair secured extra funding for a community project that led to the creation of two accessible picnic tables, manufactured by the Gippsland Wood Craft Group. These tables have been placed at the Wilson Lodge Aged Care site, conveniently located next to a brand-new café set to open to the public in the coming months. Overcoming Obstacles, a disability support service, has taken the reins of this new café as an extension of their partnership with Central Gippsland Health.
If you have feedback on the 2024 festival in Wellington Shire or would like to host an event in 2025 please email volunteering@cghs.com.au.
For more information about upcoming events and initiatives, visit https://www.wellington.vic.gov.au/community/seniors