ALPINE Shire will welcome back the Victorian Seniors Festival this October, with more than 30 free and affordable events scheduled across the shire to celebrate and engage older residents in our communities. 

The theme of the 2024 Victorian Seniors Festival is ‘Explore. Engage. Evolve.', encouraging older residents to stay curious and connected by exploring new activities, meeting new people, and changing how we think of ageing. 

Throughout the month, local seniors can take part in a variety of activities, including author talks, come-and-try sports, guest speakers, free abseiling and guided walks at Mt Buffalo, community meals, workshops, and more. 

Every Monday during October, seniors can enjoy a spot of social tennis from 9am to 12pm at the Bright Tennis Club.

Also happening every week throughout the month, learn basic computer skills with one on one technology help at Bright, Myrtleford and Mount Beauty libraries.

The free sessions require a booking and will be held on Tuesday in Bright, Wednesday in Myrtleford and Thursday in Mount Beauty with three sessions available each day at 10.30am, 11am and 11.30am.

The festival also features a range of other free events including movie screenings, concerts, morning teas, ancestry trove talks, a community picnic and celebrating the end of the month with a seniors festival sizzle free barbecue.

The barbecue will be a chance for participants to share feedback and suggestions and will be held on in Myrtleford Piazza on Tuesday, October 29, Bright Uniting Church on Wednesday, October 30 and Mount Beauty Rotary Club on Thursday, October 31.

The statewide Victorian Seniors Festival celebrates older Victorians with an anticipated 2000 events and activities across the state, including concerts, live music, dances, exhibitions, and film festivals.

From October 6 to 13, holders of the Victorian Seniors Card and Seniors Business Discount Card can enjoy eight days of free public transport across Victoria.

This includes all metropolitan services, V/Line trains and coaches, and selected regional bus services outside the myki-enabled area. 

The Victorian Seniors Festival’s Country Concert series will also return, bringing entertainment to rural communities, while the popular Aged Care Tour ensures residents in aged care facilities can experience the magic and music of the Festival. 

The Victorian Seniors Festival is proudly supported by Alpine Shire Council, along with all 79 local councils, community groups, and organisations across Victoria. 

For more details about events happening in Alpine Shire, see pages 14 and 15 of today's edition, visit https://engage.alpineshire.vic.gov.au/seniors-hub and for the latest updates for events across Victoria, visit www.seniorsonline.vic.gov.au/festival.