Are you an older person looking to meet like-minded people and have fun in the process?
This year's Tweed Seniors Festival is offering a bumper program of more than 40 community events, kicking off with an official opening ceremony at Murwillumbah Civic Centre on Monday 11 March from 10 am - 12 pm. The festival will run across two action-packed weeks, closing on Sunday 24 March.
The festival's theme for 2024 is 'Reach Beyond' which urges people to get out of their comfort zone and try something new. Whether it's high teas, local produce tastings, creative workshops or outdoor activities like croquet and sailing – this year's festival offers an array of entertaining workshops and social activities for all types of people.
The opening ceremony promises a morning celebrating local seniors ageing superbly and will feature a ballroom dancing demonstration and entertainment by Lindisfarne Grammar School. The morning's festivities will also include a presentation of the Local Achiever Awards, which shine a light on older people who have worked tirelessly to give back to the Tweed community.
Council's Coordinator - Community Care Joanne Watters said the festival was a wonderful way to showcase what's on offer for older people in the community and offer experiences that promote healthy ageing.
"In the Tweed, we have twice the State average of people aged over 65 years old, so it's important we offer as many opportunities as possible to encourage people to get out in the community and connect with others in whatever way they enjoy," Ms Watters said.
"We want to thank all those who have registered an event for this year's program and to those who have nominated for our Local Achievers Awards."
Much-loved Uki resident, retired therapist and published author Heather McClelland – winner of the inaugural 2023 Senior Ambassador Award at this year's Tweed Australia Day Awards – will be a guest speaker at the event.
Council is also seeking community input to help shape a thriving community for all ages! Share your ideas and experiences with the Phillips Group, our consulting partners for the 'Ageing Well in the Tweed' strategy development. They'll be present at the opening ceremony and hosting a series of engagement events over the next two weeks. The community's valuable input will guide the creation of a comprehensive strategy for age-friendly initiatives in the Tweed.
Book your free ticket to the Festival's opening ceremony on 11 March at Humanitix.
About Tweed Seniors Festival
The annual festival is dedicated to celebrating the vibrant lives and contributions of seniors in the Tweed community. It runs as part of the NSW Seniors Festival – the largest celebration of older people in the Southern Hemisphere.
