The NSW Seniors’ Festival kicked off on April 1, and Central Coast Council has more than 80 events planned across the region.
Celebrating its 60th anniversary, the NSW Seniors’ Festival is the largest event for seniors in the southern hemisphere and is now a two-week long celebration. It is particularly significant on the Coast, with more than 27 per cent of the Coast’s population aged over 60 years, well above the NSW State average of 22 per cent. Council Director, Connected Communities, Ms Julie Vaughan, said the Festival celebrates seniors and their significant contribution to the community as workers, volunteers, neighbours, friends, parents and grandparents.
“The Festival provides local seniors with a great opportunity to get together, make new friends, learn a new skill or try something different,” Ms Vaughan said. “We have put together a fun, active and creative calendar that features a wide range of events for people to choose from,” Ms Vaughan said. “The Festival also gives us a chance to highlight the wide range of programs run at our 50 plus Leisure and Learning Centres and Seniors Centres for our ageing community.” Mayor Jane Smith said the Festival is a great way to celebrate the contribution local seniors make to their families and community on the Central Coast.
“Older people play a vital role in our community and it’s important they feel valued, safe and are able to actively participate in their community,” Mayor Smith said. “Get out there and try something new, show off your skills doing something you love and spend time with friends, new or old, there’s something for everyone,” Mayor Smith concluded Events taking place in the areas covered by Coast News are:
On April 12 from 10.30am, Kincumber and Erina Libraries will host Grandparents’ Storytime events; seniors’ canoe/kayaking and seniors’ stand up paddle boarding will be on at Avoca Lagoon from 10:30am to 12pm, with canoes, kayaks, paddles and life jackets provided; Terrigal 50+ Leisure and Learning Centre will host Midnight Drifters Concert with Sheryl (ShElvis) Scharkie from 11am to 2pm; from 1:30 to 3pm, Gosford 50+ Leisure and Learning Centre will have Tai Chi; Erina Library will host an Accommodation Options in Retirement Seminar from 6pm, and Shall We Dance ballroom dancing classes from 6 to 7pm; Terrigal 50+ Leisure and Learning Centre will host Tai Chi from 1 to 2pm. From 2:30 to 3:30pm.
April 13, they will have Chair Yoga, a gentle yoga class tailored to those with mobility issues and trouble standing for long periods.
On April 17, Gosford Olympic Pool Aqua Classes will take place from 8:30am. On April 19, Terrigal 50+ Leisure and Learning Centre will have Jazz Dance Lessons from 10 to 11am, and from 10 to 11:30am, the Erina Centre (Meeting Space 2) will host a My Aged Care, NDIS and Easy Alert Seminar, presented by LivingMadeEasy.
On April 20 to 21, Kincumber Uniting Church’s Seniors Expo will run from 10am to 4pm. On April 24, Gosford 50+ Leisure and Learning Centre will have a Healthy Ageing Talk from 10am to 12pm. On May 1, Gosford 50+ Camera Group will have an exhibition in the Erina Centre Foyer from 10 to 11am.
Source: Document, Apr 5 Central Coast Council 2018 Seniors Festival Calendar