Council awards 2022 Seniors Festival Grants Round Two

The Victorian Seniors Festival, which is now in its 40th year, is held annually in October and provides an opportunity to celebrate the contribution made by seniors to our community.

Through Victorian Government and Council funding, grants were made available to support participation of seniors in a range of locally led and delivered activities held during the Festival. The funding is offered to support community organisations, services and clubs to develop a program that gives senior community members an opportunity to participate in a range of activities to enhance their social interaction, connection and current relationships.

The funding from Round Two aimed to support a variety of projects including an art, craft and photography exhibition, a trivia afternoon, Mooroopna Turtle Muster, events at Mooroopna Education and Activity Centre, an athletics come and try day, and a bus trip to the Healesville Sanctuary.

Mayor, Councillor Shane Sali said Council were pleased to note the awarding of funding at the October Council Meeting, acknowledging the important social role the Festival plays in the community.

“Each year the Victorian Seniors Festival provides residents with a packed calendar of events with a range of activities, shows and social outings they can take part in,” he said.

“It is an important initiative which encourages seniors to get involved and mix with other community members. Council are extremely pleased to have been able to award this funding of $3,000 to help support six local activities as part of the festival.”

View the full list of Victorian Seniors Festival activities which were held this month.

Greater Shepparton Seniors Festival Grants Program

Successful applicants Organisation Project overview Goulburn Valley University of the Third Age (GV U3A) The Goulburn Valley U3A Art, Craft andPhotography Exhibition will showcase thecreative talent of members in art, craft and photography. Additional entertainment will be provided by U3A’s Ukulele group and Singing for Pleasure group. Morning and afternoon tea will be offered for a small fee. A BBQ will be held as a social event. Shepparton Senior Citizens Club, in partnership with members Kerry Miller and Jenny Carter The Shepparton Senior Citizens Club, in partnership with members Kerry Miller and Jenny Carter, will provide an afternoon of trivia. Afternoon tea will be provided as well as lucky door prizes. Mooroopna Education and Activity Centre, in partnership with Kaiela Arts Mooroopna Education and Activity Centre is partnering with Kaiela Arts to bring the Turtle Muster to Mooroopna. The event will include afternoon tea where seniors can get their hands dirty and immerse themselves in a tactile and fun activity. This activity will also provide an opportunity to learn about the Aboriginal culture and the importance of the Turtle totem in Greater Shepparton. MooroopnaEducation andActivity Centre

Mooroopna Education and Activity Centre (MEAC) is hosting a number of events including:

Fashion parade and high tea. This will be a senior's social event that will include volunteers modelling the clothing and participants enjoying afternoon tea. Classic movie and afternoon tea – Held each Tuesday for the month of October. MEAC’s Mooroopna Men's Shed will extend an invitation to another Men’s Shed club to come and enjoy lunch with them and see what they do. This will happen twice during October. Shepparton AthleticsClub Inc. The Shepparton Athletics Club are hosting an athletics come and try day. The event will allow senior participants to experience all the athletics events on offer at Shepparton Athletics Club. The aim of the day is to create awareness and interest in the community for members to join the fun experience of Masters Athletics. A barbeque dinner will be provided to end the day's activities to create social connections. Shepparton Senior Citizens Shepparton Senior Citizens is running a bus trip to Healesville Sanctuary to spend the day outside exploring the sanctuary whilst re-establishing social relationships within the community. The bus tour will provide a fun experience for individuals to become confident again to explore and engage with other community members while enjoying activities, morning tea and a group lunch before returning via bus to Shepparton.