Largest senior celebration in southern hemisphere returns

THE Tweed Seniors Festival will return in March with more than 40 events planned across the shire.

The local program forms part of the NSW Seniors Festival, which is held annually across the state.

Events will take place in locations from Murwillumbah to Tweed Heads and include workshops, talks and social activities.

The schedule includes men’s shed workshops, ageing and wellbeing conversations, a Tweed River cruise, mosaic workshops and a bus trip to the Gold Coast Botanic Gardens and HOTA.

Most events are free, with a $25 transport fee applying for some trips between Tweed Heads and Murwillumbah.

Tweed Shire Council coordinator of community care Joanne Watters said the festival continued to grow in popularity because of its broad range of activities.

 

“It is an opportunity for seniors to try a bit of everything, to experiment with their tastes and distastes, and to connect with other people,” she said.

Ms Watters said the festival also helped address social isolation among older residents.

“Anything we can do to help people meet others and get out and about has phenomenal health benefits for everyone,” she said.

The festival will open with a free event at the Murwillumbah Auditorium Civic and Cultural Centre from 10am to 12pm.

The opening will include local achievement awards, performances by the Fiddle Faddle Band and Classic Movers Dances, a wellness expo and morning tea.