Darling Downs/south-west gets set to celebrate Seniors Week

Older people in communities throughout the Darling Downs and south-west Queensland are set to celebrate Seniors Week in style in August, thanks to funding from the Department of Communities.

Seniors Minister Warren Pitt said 11 organisations shared in Queensland Government funding of $9900 to help them plan Seniors Week celebrations.

Funding recipients for the Darling Downs and south-west areas are:
• Highfields Seniors Citizens $990
• Taroom Shire Council $925
• Charleville and District Seniors Citizens $945
• Warwick Benevolent Society $925
• Warwick Shire Council $1000
• Wylhara Grove Progress Association, Millmerran $982
• Toowoomba Older Persons Action Group $850
• Crows Nest Shire Council $1000
• Advance Injune $880
• Care Goondiwindi $1000
• Maryvale School of Arts $403.

“Seniors Week which runs from 18-26 August is a highlight of the year for older Queenslanders,” 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,” Mr Pitt said.

“Older people deserve to be valued for their hard work, experience, knowledge and contributions, all of which have helped build the foundations of southern Queensland and the state.

“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, Darling Downs and south-west Queensland 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