Tag Archives: Seniors Festival

The call is out for local organisations to help fill a calendar of engaging and empowering activities for older people during the 2023 NSW Seniors Festival.

Member for Cootamundra, Steph Cooke said the $200,000 NSW Seniors Festival Grants Program supports initiatives that encourage people aged 60 or over to stay healthy, connected to their community and active.

“This is an opportunity to celebrate or build on the diverse skills and interests of seniors in our community in areas like art, sport, health or technology,” Ms Cooke said.

“This year’s Seniors Festival included computer classes, dance lessons and gardening workshops, so it would be terrific to see local groups come up with more creative and fun activities for the 2023 festival.”

Local councils, community groups and not-for-profit organisations are among those who can apply for grants of up to $10,000.

“The Seniors Festival is an opportunity for all seniors in our community to be active, connected and social—no matter their location, language or ability level,” Ms Cooke added.

Minister for Seniors Mark Coure said the NSW Seniors Festival is the largest event of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere and has been running for more than 60 years

“These grants reinforce the NSW Government’s commitment to helping older people in NSW stay connected with their community as outlined in the Ageing Well in NSW: Seniors Strategy 2021–2031.”

The Seniors Festival will run from 1 – 12 February 2023. Applications for grants are open now until 1 August 2022.

For more information and to apply, visit seniorsfestival.nsw.gov.au/events/nsw-seniors-festival-grants

Seniors throughout the Cootamundra Electorate are encouraged to get out and join in local activities while reconnecting with their community during this year’s NSW Seniors Festival which starts on Friday 25 March and runs until Sunday 3 April 2022.

More than 90 community organisations and councils across the state will host events in the coming weeks to celebrate this year’s NSW Seniors Festival.

Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke said she hopes to see people in the area participating and taking the opportunity to reconnect with friends and other members of the community.

“We’d like to see as many local seniors take part in this year’s Seniors Festival as possible. We know that the last couple of years have not been easy, and we hope that the festival brings some much needed joy,” Ms Cooke said.

“Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, we saw increased rates of loneliness and isolation, especially amongst the elderly in our rural communities, so the theme of ‘Reconnect’ for this year’s festival is very meaningful.”

Minister for Seniors Mark Coure said local councils and organisations received up to $10,000 to organise activities focussed on getting older people out and about.

“The Seniors Festival is a great opportunity for people to come together in a safe and fun environment,” Mr Coure said.

“There are plenty of ways for everyone to get involved, so please make sure to look up what’s happening around you.” 

The 2022 Seniors Festival will be held from Friday, 25 March until Sunday, 3 April and includes the ever-popular Premier’s Gala Concerts and Expo.

The grants are in line with the NSW Government’s Ageing Well in NSW: Seniors Strategy 2021–2031.

Festival grant recipients will also deliver programs to help and support seniors make the best of their later years.

For more information from the NSW Government about the 2022 NSW Seniors Festival, please visit: seniorsfestival.nsw.gov.au.

For more information on events happening in the Cootamundra electorate during the 2022 Seniors Festival, please visit:

• Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council

• Hilltops Council

• Cowra Shire Council

• Narrandera Shire Council

Alternatively, please contact your local council or community centre directly for event information in your area.