Ballarat Seniors Festival off to a flying start

A month-long celebration of older residents aged over 55 is now under way in Ballarat.

The 2023 Ballarat Seniors Festival started with a bang on Wednesday with the Get Connected! Seniors Festival Expo launch event at Alfredton Sports and Community Club.

The expo, organised by the City of Ballarat’s Ageing Well Services team, had a strong focus on community connection and wellbeing, providing an opportunity for community groups and organisations to promote activities and programs focused on social participation and connection.

The expo was designed not only to help promote the jam-packed month of activities for older residents in Ballarat, but to help people discover what's on offer in and around Ballarat and establish connections that will last long beyond the Seniors Festival.

More than 30 community groups were represented on the day, including social, art, sport, and special interest clubs, with live entertainment and refreshments also provided for free.

City of Ballarat Mayor, Cr Des Hudson said the Seniors Festival promised to be a brilliant celebration throughout all of October.

“The next four weeks are going to be a hive of activity in Ballarat and I encourage people to have a look at the huge amount of activities available,” he said.

“The Senior's Festival is an opportunity for us to celebrate and acknowledge the contribution of older people in Ballarat.

“In line with this year's theme ‘Learn Love Live,’ we encourage residents to try something new and the come and try sessions being offered throughout the month.”

Throughout October, there will be almost 40 free or low-cost events on offer, organised by community groups and the City of Ballarat.

In addition to Get Connected! Seniors Festival Expo: there are six free events that are being hosted by our City of Ballarat teams:

• Film Festival at the Library, Sebastopol Library, every Thursday in October
• Come and Try at Ballarat Aquatic and Lifestyle Centre, Tuesday 10 October
• Seniors Exercise Park Activity, Mount Pleasant Reserve, Thursday 12 October
• LGBTIQA+ Film Screening The Birdcage, Regent Cinema, Friday 13 October
• Johnny Cash and June Carter Tribute Show, Regent Cinema, Wednesday 18 October
• Ageless Play, Intergenerational Play group session, Robert Clark Centre, Tuesday 24 October

The Ballarat Seniors Festival aligns with and supports the Victorian Seniors Festival.

The month will culminate with the Ballarat Senior of the Year Awards at Town Hall on Tuesday 31 October.

For more information visit the Ballarat Seniors Festival website or download the festival program.

People can also access a hard copy of the program by:

• Emailing seniorsfestival@ballarat.vic.gov.au
• Visiting the Phoenix Building at 25 Armstrong Street South in person
• Visiting the Town Hall Library, Sebastopol Library or Wendouree Library in person
• Calling the Customer Experience team on 5320 5500 to request a copy be sent out