Senior celebrations kick it up a notch

AS part of Victoria’s annual Seniors Festival, the region’s older residents will have the opportunity to celebrate during November with a series of online and COVID-safe activities.

With a focus on the mentality that ‘age is a number, not a use-by date’, the festival hopes to include senior citizens in new ways to be active and social after months of isolation.

One of Ballarat’s many senior residents, Joan Lupson said she’s excited to get back into socialising with her friends and family and getting involved in any of the events on offer

“I’m not the type of person who can sit at home alone, knowing something is on, I love to go out and do it,” she said.

“With the COVID, it’s been a pretty scary year and so we deserve something as well, it’s nice to have something to do rather than sitting at home and watching telly or something.

“With the Seniors Festival, it’s allowed us to meet so many people of the same age, older and younger and it’s good to have something to go to every year.”

One of the Ballarat specific activities on offer is the Groovin’ Your Way exercise session at Lake Wendouree on Wednesday, 4 November.

Due to COVID restricted numbers, to attend the group activity interested residents need to book a time slot by calling 5320 5771.

“We’re going up to the lake with around 50 people, it’s going to be just lovely to get out,” Ms Lupson said.

“A lot of older people stay home all alone and don’t see anyone, I think they have to get out there and see how fantastic it is and meet people their own age and have a conversation.”

Another component of the Seniors Festival will be a selection of photos of some of Ballarat’s older residents to be displayed at Stockland shopping centre’s signage.

In addition to the activities, thanks to the loosening of COVID restrictions Ms Lupson said she’s also excited to resume her exercising groups and visiting her friends and family.

“I love socialising, went for lunch yesterday and even though there was only seven of us it was just so nice to get out,” she said.

“I would encourage other senior people to become involved because it is good for people’s health to get out and there is no use sitting at home and thinking there is nothing to do.”