Sunshine Coast gets set to celebrate Seniors Week

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

Seniors Minister Warren Pitt said 15 organisations from the Sunshine Coast had shared in Queensland Government funding of $15,773 to help them plan Seniors Week celebrations.

Funding recipients for the Sunshine Coast are:
• Australian Pensioner and Superannuants League, Golden Beach $885
• Kenilworth Arts Council $1000
• Queensland Renal Association, Maroochydore $959
• Gympie and District Committee on the Ageing $567
• Sunshine 60 and Better Group, Maroochydore $1460
• Caloundra Home and Community Care, Buddina $1000
• Nambour Baptist Church $1000
• OzPol Community Care, Caloundra $2000
• Active 60 and Better Group, Deception Bay $1000
• Noosa Shire Council $960
• Centracare Upper Mary Valley Care, Kenilworth $1000
• Multicultural Association of Caboolture Shire $1000
• Landsborough Historical Society $1000
• Caloundra Community Centre $1492
• Anglican Diocese, Kilcoy Country Companions $450.

“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 Sunshine Coast 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, Sunshine Coast 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