Senior celebration goes online

THANKS to COVID-19 restrictions, this year’s Victorian Seniors Festival will be delivered online through a series of performances, zoom recorded interviews and virtual story-telling.

Back for its 38th year, the festival aims to provide curated content for older Victorians to watch, listen and enjoy.

The program will run until October of this year which will encompass weekly video performances and interviews and monthly radio entertainment.

While normally there would be some in-person activities and events organised for the festival, however, this year the schedule had to be reimagined.

The program includes Meecham and Bec Reid as video hosts and who are the duo that make up All the Queens Men who the Festival has worked with on earlier projects.

To abide by physical distancing rules, Mr and Mrs Reid will meet and host the video performances from the comfort of their own homes.

In the festival’s welcome video, Minister for Disability, Ageing and Carers Luke Donnellan said the festival is all about celebrating seniors and what they have contributed in society.

“Usually my message is to get out the house and get engaged,” he said.

“This time around, I’m encouraging people to still be engaged with the Seniors Festival but online.

“It’s about ensuring people aren’t sitting at home isolated and lonely.”

To learn more and join in on the festivities, visit seniorsonline.vic.gov.au.