The Borough of Queenscliffe will once again play host to dozens of events and special offers as part of the upcoming Victorian Seniors Festival this October.

The majority of the nearly 30 activities on offer in the region are either free or heavily discounted, ranging from book launches to tours, exhibitions and classes.

Queenscliffe Mayor Cr Bob Merriman emphasised the relevance and benefit of the Seniors Festival to residents in the Borough, which has a median age of 60.

“Given our large and active community of seniors in the Borough, it’s important that we make the Seniors Festival a high-quality event that features activities relevant to our townsfolk,” Cr Merriman said. “The Seniors Festival has been extremely popular in recent years and I’m sure this time around will be no exception.”

Headlining the month-long festival is a pair of productions on famed novelist Jane Austen by accomplished Melbourne actress Lise Rodgers. Rodgers has toured her Austen shows ‘Getting Dressed with Jane’ and ‘A Most Patient Persuasion’ for a number of years to wide acclaim, and they have now reached the Bellarine Peninsula for the first time.

Also of note is the ‘Playing the Ghost’ presentation hosted by Federation University lecturer Dr David Waldron, which explores the history of the guisers and ghost hoaxers that roamed Geelong during the late 19th century.

One cornerstone of the local festival program that has maintained its popularity year upon year is the over-80s afternoon tea, which will be hosted this year by Mayor Cr Merriman himself. Seniors Card holders will also be able to take advantage of eight days of free public transport between 6 and 13 October thanks to the Victorian Government.

Dates, times and booking details to all Seniors Festival events can be browsed via the events calendar on Council’s website or by clicking here.