Please note: this is an archived news article release

This article was published on Wednesday, 20 September, 2023. The information contained within may be out of date or inaccurate. News articles and media releases older than 60 days are archived for future reference.

Council awards 2023 Seniors Festival Grants

Held annually in October, the Victorian Seniors Festival is an opportunity to celebrate the contribution made by seniors in our community. Through State Government and Council funding, a grant pool was made available to support the participation of seniors in a range of local activities throughout the festival.

The Seniors Festival is targeted at people aged 60 years and over, which represents more than 27 per cent of the Greater Shepparton population. Over 1000 events occur state-wide and many are planned locally. The Grants provide support to community organisations, services and clubs to develop a program that will give senior members of our community the opportunity to participate in a range of activities that enhance their social interaction, try new things and increase physical activity and wellbeing.

The successful applicants for 2023 involve a range of events, including an afternoon tea, clay bird making, musical performance, history walk, come and try golf croquet, and come and see days at local Men’s Sheds.

Mayor, Councillor Shane Sali, said Council were pleased to note the awarding of this grant funding at the Council Meeting, acknowledging the important social role the Seniors Festival plays in the community.

“Each year the Victorian Seniors Festival provides residents with a packed calendar of events involving a range of activities, shows and social outings they can take part in,” he said.

“It is an important initiative which encourages seniors to get involved and mix with other community members. We are pleased to see more than 100 events in Greater Shepparton on the calendar across the month of October and we encourage all seniors to take part in the range of activities and events on offer.”

For more information about the Greater Shepparton Seniors Festival Grants Program, visit Council’s Grants page

To view the full list of Seniors Festival activities which will be held in Greater Shepparton next month or collect a copy of the Greater Shepparton Seniors Festival Program from Council.

Information on each of the successful applicants is included on pages 2 and 3.

Organisation	Details	Amount awarded (GST free)
The Lions Club of Toolamba Incorporated	Providing an afternoon for senior members of Toolamba and adjoining districts, with an opportunity to come together and enjoy fellowship, be entertained, and enjoy a fabulous afternoon tea. The event aims to provide a happy experience and lessen any loneliness that may exist.	$500
Shepparton Access	Flock of Ages 1 - Seniors, family, and support workers are invited to join us for a full day at Shepparton Access to make birds using clay. The clay birds will form a permanent art installation. Flock of Ages 2 - Local musician Anthony Tenace will perform at a lunch event for seniors, family, and support workers. People would be encouraged to interact, play board games, and dance.	$500
Goulburn Valley Pride Inc.	Silver Rainbows Support Program is supported by GV Pride and is a program dedicated to supporting older LGBTIQA+ members of our community. Many LGBTIQA+ communities in rural and regional Victoria, and in particular Shepparton, are socially isolated, at risk of mental health issues and suffer acute loneliness. This will be an event of inclusion and diversity for all members of the Shepparton community, but in particular for our LGBTIQA+ community to launch our program and how it will support Seniors into the future.	$500
Murchison and District Historical Society Inc.	A history walk has been planned for History Month (Stepping Back in Time) that coincides with Seniors Month in October. The walk will be adjusted to cater closely for senior participants and in comparison, offered at no charge each Wednesday morning and Sunday afternoon in October. This grant will cover costs that would normally be covered by an entry fee. Beginning at the Heritage Centre and with a local guide leading, the walk will progress through the Riverbank Gardens and around the business area of Murchison.	$330
Shepparton Croquet Club Inc.	The delivery of four ‘come and try’ Golf Croquet events, an easy game for all to play that is social and fun. The Croquet Club aspires to be a welcoming, pleasant, physically and psychologically safe place for usually middle-aged and elderly people to gather and play sport and socialise. Share a cuppa with us after the game too.	$150
Goulburn Valley Seniors Association Incorporated	A concert by the GV Seniors Association Ukulele and choir members. This will be followed by afternoon tea, with snacks to be prepared and served by members of GV Seniors Association.	$500
Dookie Men's Shed Inc.	As a cluster of district Men's Sheds (Shepparton, Shepparton East and Dookie), will host a series of ‘come and see' days at the three different shed locations. These days aim to create a greater awareness of Men's Sheds activities, how participants can be part of the Men's Shed movement and gain the benefits to physical, mental, and emotional health that can result.	$500
Total		$2,980