Wellington celebrating the older generation

WELLINGTON’S older generation will be left feeling fulfilled and informed thanks to planned events for Seniors Week, which kicked off across NSW yesterday (Wednesday, April 4).

“We’ve got three events happening during the week,” Dubbo Regional Council community services coordinator (east) Christy White explained.

“There is a mini-expo at the Seniors Citizens Centre, morning tea at Maranatha and a councillors’ barbecue.”

The mini-expo includes presentations and information from various organisations including Meals on Wheels, Legal Aid and Live Better.

“We have involved a few of the providers that service the Wellington area,” Christy said.

“Legal Aid will be offering information and advice and are going to do a short presentation about different issues relevant to our older population... touching on issues such as elder abuse, the latter part of life, financial structures and wills and guardianship including Power of Attorney.

“Questions that tend to come up as situations change or as we get older.

“Meals on Wheels, which is run by Wellington Multi-services, will be taste-testing, and Live Better community transport will be there with information.

“Rusan Hill, the chronic health coordinator from Wellington Health Service, will be talking on falls prevention and related information.

“There will also be some lovely local produce for morning tea, maybe even scones and cream!”

Christy described the day as a “great opportunity for people to come and gain information on different local services”.

“We hold Seniors Week activities every year... Council also supports it. Some years we also do a day trip.”

Seniors will get to have lunch with councillors at the barbecue which Christy described as a “nice relaxed event”.

“They will be able to meet and chat with new councillors and get to know them.”

Christy said that Wellington has a very constructive seniors community who are actively involved in local life.

“We have a very strong seniors centre within a highly pro-active seniors group in Wellington. A lot of hard-working volunteers who are volunteering five days a week are seniors. They are a faithful bunch and Seniors Week is a small appreciation of the group, of what they do for the community and various organisations.

“Seniors mean a lot to the community and these events are a celebration of that. It’s also a good way to entice those who may not be part of it to bring them out. Getting people talking and socialising – that’s an important part of when you get older and they are one part of the community that we want to celebrate and get them together.”

The theme of the 60th annual Seniors Week in NSW is Let’s Do More Together.

WHAT WHERE WHEN

z Entertainment and morning tea at Maranatha House from 10.15-11.30am on April 9 z Mini-expo at Wellington Seniors Centre from 10am on April 11 z Barbecue with councillors at Wellington Seniors Centre from 12pm on April 12