Celebrating seniors

Published on 07 February 2020

It’s all about seniors this month as Blacktown City Council gears up to play its part in the largest Seniors Festival in the Southern Hemisphere.

The annual New South Wales Seniors Festival (12 – 23 February) is a great opportunity for the Blacktown City community to acknowledge the contribution that seniors make to our community.

Blacktown City Mayor Tony Bleasdale OAM said the theme for 2020’s Seniors Festival, Love to celebrate!, is a reminder to simply enjoy yourself.

“It might be a class in cooking or aqua aerobics, joining a knitting group, taking part in a community brunch, becoming tech savvy or learning new cooking skills - there is something for everyone,” Mayor Bleasdale said.

“This year’s theme is a reminder for seniors to head outside, to discover new activities, create experiences and celebrate.

“In Blacktown City we have nearly 70,000 residents over the age of 55, and nearly 35,000 over the age of 65,” Mayor Bleasdale said.

“Almost 4,000 residents over 65 years of age are employed making up 11 per cent of our work force.

“Our older residents are making a truly valuable contribution in our community, whether through paid work, volunteering or providing invaluable family assistance. Seniors Festival is an opportunity to recognise all they’ve done for Blacktown City.”

Blacktown City Council will celebrate active, healthy and independent ageing during the Festival and almost all the activities are free.

To access a Blacktown City Seniors Festival Program, contact Council on 9839 6000 or download a program by visiting Council’s website www.blacktown.nsw.gov.au/Events-and-activities/Blacktown-City-Seniors-Festival-2020