NSW Councils to celebrate return of Seniors Festival in 2022

This year’s NSW Seniors Festival with its theme of ‘Reconnect’, is anticipated to see more than 500,000 seniors take part in events across the state. The theme was chosen to respond to significant social and physical distancing that many seniors have experienced over the last year. with events aiming to bring older adults together to support wellbeing by engaging in physical and social activities.

Running from 25th March to 3rd April 2022, the 2022 NSW Seniors Festival is aimed at delivering world-quality entertainment and engaging activities for people over 60, in COVIDSafe settings.

NSW Seniors Minister Natalie Ward said the event would build on a strong legacy of showing NSW seniors how much they are valued and added “the NSW Seniors Festival has been running successfully for more than 60 years and is a great way to promote inclusion and encourage older people to get involved in health, art, music, technology and physical activity.”

NSW Councils are offering seniors a multitude of ways to get involved in events in their local communities with the NSW Seniors Festival Grants Program supporting a range of activities across the state.

The Shoalhaven is preparing for the upcoming Seniors Festival and has provided grants of up to $1,000 to local community groups and organisations to host seniors festival events during the week-long festival. The region will host over 20 events with many activities free or at minimal cost. Events range from social gatherings such as a traditional high tea to sport and educational classes like craft and IT workshops.

Shoalhaven Mayor Amanda Findley is looking forward to the events that will bring older community members together and adds “NSW Seniors Week Festival is an opportunity to recognise and celebrate older adults in our community and the important role they play.

"It is especially important for our seniors to connect with one another after the social restrictions we have experienced over the last year.”

Woollahra Council is offering seniors the opportunity to experience a range of activities through a number of wellness, fitness and arts classes including barefoot movement and contemporary dance..

City of Sydney is opening their aquatic centres free of charge during Seniors Festival for visitors 60 and over with aqua aerobics available at Ian Thorpe Aquatic Centre. Also on offer at City of Sydney facilities are free gym access and fitness classes at Juanita Nielsen Community Centre; Pickleball at KGV Recreation Centre; free yoga class during the festival at Reginald Murphy Community Centre in Potts Point; for those who are less mobile, chair yoga at Cliff Noble Community Centre in Alexandria; Sh'bam, a new group fitness dance class at Gunyama Park.

Festival highlights also include the Premier’s Gala Concerts to be held at 11:00am and 2:45pm on both Wednesday 30th March and Thursday 31st March at the Aware Super Theatre, ICC Sydney.

A final ticket release for the Premier's Gala Concerts is now available. Contact Ticketek online or over the phone 1300 130 613 to secure seats.

Find out more on NSW Seniors Festival

www.seniorsfestival.nsw.gov.au/events/find-an-activity

shoalhaven.nsw.gov.au/For-Residents/Community-Support/Seniors

woollahra.nsw.gov.au/

cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/articles/8-reasons-youll-wish-you-were-over-60

Image top: Aqua aerobics at Ian Thorpe Aquatic Centre. Credit Chris Southwood via City of Sydney