Queensland celebrates Seniors Week
From Wheller Gardens’ 80 years of caring photographic exhibition and $6 films for seniors at Centro Cinema to a week-long Seniors Expo at Hinkler Central shopping centre; aged care, community and other organisations are celebrating the achievements and valuable contributions of Queensland seniors this week as the state celebrates its Seniors Week.
“Seniors Week provides an opportunity to bring together all Queenslanders, through events and activities, to celebrate the contributions seniors make within their communities.”
Coordinated by the Council on the Ageing (COTA) Queensland, the week kicks off tonight with COTA and Seniors Minister Coralee O’Rourke celebrating in King George Square to see Brisbane City Hall be illuminated in a purple light, the colour of Queensland Seniors Week.
People, young and old are invited to join the celebrations and to take a photo of themselves in what is hoped to be Brisbane’s biggest elfie (elder selfie).
“But forget the purple rinse set,” says a COTA Queensland spokesperson. “Forget those ‘pastel people’ frolicking on the beach in retirement.
“Older people are amongst the most diverse in today’s society and they say a picture is worth a thousand words.
“Many older people assist their families with caring responsibilities whilst being actively involved in their communities through volunteering and passing on their knowledge and experience to others,” the spokesman continues.
“Seniors Week provides an opportunity to bring together all Queenslanders, through events and activities, to celebrate the contributions seniors make within their communities.”
Sunshine Coast residents can enjoy an interesting array of events organised by Sunshine Coast Council with include Mayor Mark Jamieson’s high tea for seniors at Lake Kawana Community Centre, technology and social media tutorials, dance workshops with the Queensland Ballet, Living Backyards, Feng Shui, Retirement Villages, Supercharge Your Income, Basic Bike Maintenance and Save Your Sight sessions across the region.
Meanwhile, the Queensland AIDS Council is having a virtual celebration by collating messages of support, connection and well wishes on its Facebook page for compiling into greeting cards for its seniors clients.
Over the final weekend, Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 of August, the iconic Story Bridge will flash purple as celebrations come to an end.
Anyone participating in events in Queensland Seniors week is encouraged to flash a smile, take an ‘elfie’, and then to share their story across their social media networks with the following hashtags: ?#qldseniorsweek ?#elfie.
To see what’s on visit the events section of the COTA Queensland website http://cotaqld.org.au/events/ or call Toll free (within Queensland): 1300 738 348.
