MEDIA RELEASE - Seniors sets to be spoilt for choice with exciting program of events lined up for Council’s Seniors Festival

Sutherland Shire Council’s much-loved Seniors Festival has returned with a sterling line up of more than 30 specialised events and activities for local seniors to enjoy.

While NSW Seniors Festival runs from Friday 25 March to Sunday 3 April, Council has extended its celebrations with an event program set to spark interest across the community until Tuesday 5 April giving residents over the age of 60 plenty to see and do in coming weeks.

Sutherland Shire Mayor, Councillor Carmelo Pesce said the 2022 festival theme, ‘Let’s Reconnect’, is a call out for seniors across Sutherland Shire to rekindle connections with friends, family members and establish links with the many quality local support services on offer to ensure that all seniors embrace the opportunities that exist to stay connected within the community.

“There’s never been a more important time for residents to connect with one another, which is why we are thrilled to be able to facilitate this festival once again and bring people together for worthwhile experiences that positively contribute to their wellbeing,” Mayor Pesce said.

“This annual program is not only a great way for seniors to meet likeminded locals, but also to familiarise themselves with the variety of services and programs on offer – in our own backyard – which provide tailored support for older residents.

“We’ve got a really exciting line up of events this year and I look forward to seeing many people out and about, learning something new, connecting with friends old and new, and most importantly, having a lot of fun.”

The Seniors Festival program officially launched with The Sandwich Generation seminar earlier this week, to facilitate discussions with industry professionals about the complexities for residents who are supporting elderly parents while raising families of their own. The second part of The Sandwich Generation will be the closing act for the festival.

Also closing the festivities will be the annual Centenarian’s Morning Tea, to celebrate and thank Sutherland Shire’s oldest residents for all they have contributed to the community.

“This is one of the most special occasions on Council’s annual calendar of events, where we are honoured to host our local centenarians in the same room to reflect on how they have helped shape our community to become the beautiful and welcoming place it is so widely recognised as today,” Mayor Pesce said.

“To live to 100, and beyond, is an incredible achievement. We have much to learn from these residents in the hope that we too can reach the same milestone.”

Further festival activities include bushwalking, birdwatching, films, health and wellbeing events, arts and craft, a retirement expo, hobbies and interest groups, educational seminars, and much more.

Council works in collaboration with various local organisations each year to establish the Seniors Festival for residents to experience meaningful engagement with other seniors living in Sutherland Shire. For a complete copy of the Seniors Festival program, visit: sutherlandshire.nsw.gov.au/SeniorsFest2022