Wide Bay-Burnett gets set to celebrate Seniors Week

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

Seniors Minister Warren Pitt said nine organisations from the Wide Bay-Burnett area had shared in Queensland Government funding of $10,464 to help them plan Seniors Week celebrations.

Funding recipients from the Wide Bay-Burnett area are:
• Bundaberg and District Committee on the Ageing $700
• Isis Shire Council $950
• Australian Pensioner and Superannuants League, Hervey Bay $325
• Perry Shire Council $1000
• Burrum District Community Centre, Howard $850
• Miriam Vale Shire Council $960
• Hervey Bay City Council $3100
• Alzheimer’s Australia Association, Maryborough $979
• Hervey Bay Neighbourhood Centre $1600.

“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 foundations of the Wide Bay-Burnett region and 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,” Mr Pitt 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, Wide Bay-Burnett 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