Brisbane gets set to celebrate Seniors Week

Older people in communities throughout the Brisbane area are set to celebrate Seniors Week in style in August, thanks to funding from the Department of Communities.

Seniors Minister Warren Pitt said 31 community organisations in the Brisbane area had shared in Queensland Government funding of $33,335 to help them plan Seniors Week celebrations (see list below).

“Seniors Week is a highlight of the year for older Queenslanders. This year it will run from 18-26 August,” Mr Pitt said.

“It’s an exciting time when older people throughout the state celebrate their diversity and promote healthy ageing among the wider community.

“Celebrations include Indigenous and multicultural events, concerts, expos, dances, intergenerational debates, sport and a host of other activities. Seniors Week is a great opportunity for the whole community to get involved in activities that recognise older Queenslanders and their contribution to society.”

Mr Pitt said total funding of $126,325 was distributed among 125 community organisations around the state to promote activities celebrating older people.

“This year Seniors Week will again promote inclusive activities by encouraging Queenslanders of all ages to honour and respect older people,” he said.

“Older people deserve to be valued for their hard work, experience, knowledge and contributions, all of which have helped build the foundation of the Greater Brisbane region and of Queensland.

“Their influence goes beyond intergenerational boundaries and the benefits to local communities are long lasting.”

Mr Pitt said Seniors Week funding this year was being announced earlier than in previous years. “We appreciate that it takes some time to plan and organise these events,” he said.

“Members of local councils, seniors organisations and community groups are really the people that make Seniors Week special and the Queensland Government is dedicated to supporting these groups in their planning.

“From this month, Brisbane region organisations will also be able to post their activities on the Seniors Week events calendar, available on www.communities.qld.gov.au/seniors.”

Media contact: Peter Nibbs 3235 4280

Seniors Week 2007 funding recipients – Brisbane region

• Tamil Senior Citizens Association, Ormiston $1320
• Australian Pensioner and Superannuants League, West End $1980
• North Lakes Retirement Resort Residents Services $1000
• Uniting Church, Aspley $535
• Centacare, Northgate $850
• Sherwood Respite Service $2820
• Probus Club of Mt Coot-tha, Kenmore $1000
• Indian Senior Citizens Assoc, Runcorn $1000
• Scout Association of Queensland, Toowong $1000
• Queensland Police Citizens Youth Welfare Assoc, Zillmere $1180
• Guide Dogs for the Blind, Bald Hills $1000
• Redcliffe Neighbourhood Centre $900
• Older Women’s Network of Queensland $1000
• Salvation Army, Stafford $1000
• OzPol Community Care, Brisbane $1910
• Peninsula Palms Retirement Village, Redcliffe $1600
• Inala and District Senior Citizens $990
• Queensland Assoc for Healthy Communities, Eagle Farm $1000
• Anglican Parish, Kenmore $650
• RSL War Veterans Homes, New Farm $300
• Redlands Arts Council, Cleveland $1000
• Hub Neighbourhood Centre, Inala $1000
• Redlands Shire Bands, Cleveland $650
• Gallipoli Research Foundation, Greenslopes $1000
• Wynnum 60 and Better $850
• Redlands District Committee on the Ageing, Cleveland $1000
• Older People Speak Out, Mount Gravatt $1200
• National Seniors Association, Cannon Hill $650
• Multilink Community Services, Woodridge $1000
• Logan Area Committee on the Ageing, Woodridge $1000
• Queensland Police Citizens Youth Welfare Association, Woodridge $950