Grants open to help Queensland celebrate seniors

 The 2024 Seniors Month grants are now open (1 March) to help support events across the state during October

• The month-long celebration promotes positive community attitudes towards older people and ageing
• $100,000 in funding is available for grants of up to $2000 each for events and activities statewide

Organisations across the state are encouraged to apply for a share in $100,000 in grants to host events and activities marking Queensland Seniors Month in October.

The month-long celebration promotes positive community attitudes towards older people and ageing, providing an opportunity for communities to participate in activities that celebrate seniors.

Seniors Month also aims to increase the social connectedness of older people and their communities and recognises their ongoing contribution to the state – as volunteers, in the workforce, as community leaders or carers, and as grandparents and advocates.

This year’s theme is Love Getting Older in Queensland—celebrating older Queenslanders as the heart and soul of our communities while also encouraging seniors to connect and celebrate.

Seniors Month aims to inspire everyone to show their appreciation for older people by planning and hosting inclusive events and activities, promoting seniors love for connections, recreation, sports and the outdoors, family and friends, learning, caring for others and volunteering.

Queensland Seniors Month will kick off on the United Nations International Day of Older Persons on Tuesday, 1 October 2024.

All funded events and activities must be held in Queensland during October 2024 and applications for a grant can be made online through SmartyGrants (https://qldseniorsmonth.smartygrants.com.au).

Grants are open to not-for-profit, charitable and community organisations, schools, local governments and libraries.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Seniors Charis Mullen:

“It is wonderful to see the Queensland Government is again providing $100,000 in grants funding to help support everyone celebrate the incredible contribution of our older residents.

“We all want our seniors to stay connected to their communities and the important people in their lives, to be cared for and supported and to be celebrated as valued community members.

“I encourage organisations and community groups to apply for a grant and see how they might celebrate the seniors in their community come October.

“This month-long program of events is part of our commitment to building an age-friendly community and to recognising the contribution seniors make in Queensland.”

Quotes attributable to the Council on the Ageing (COTA) Queensland chief executive Darren Young:

“We believe that ageing in Queensland is a time of possibility, opportunity and influence and Seniors Month provides great opportunities to enable this to happen.

“Our communities are made up of people of all ages who genuinely care about and value other people, whether they know them or not.

“We invite local councils and community groups to apply for a grant to support hosting inclusive events and activities, supporting older Queenslanders to engage with the things they love.

“Whether it be attending a dance or cooking class, sharing a meal, an experience, a morning tea or concert, or having a chat with an older neighbour over the fence, I encourage everyone to step outside their comfort zone and connect with someone new and get involved in a Seniors Month activity.”

Further information:

• Council on the Ageing (COTA) Queensland coordinates Queensland Seniors Month on behalf of the Queensland Government and receives funding to collaboratively plan, run and subsidise events and activities.

ENDS

Media contact: 0417 296 116