The 2011 Victorian Seniors Festival

24 August 2011

Victorian seniors will be able to enjoy more than 1,000 events throughout October as part of the 2011 Victorian Seniors Festival.

The festival, now in its 29^th year, celebrates and acknowledges older Victorians and includes special events for rural towns affected by floods.

Visiting the City of Melbourne Bowls Club, Minister for Ageing David Davis officially launched the festival program and a practical new website for Victorian seniors.

Free metropolitan and regional public transport will be offered for all Victorian Seniors Card holders from 2 - 9 October to attend festival events and visit friends and family.

As part of this year’s festival, each of the 26 Victorian councils affected by floods will hold a special festival event and provide free transport for local seniors to attend.

Other highlights of the 2011 festival include:

• Opening day at Federation Square from 10.30 am to 4.00 pm on Sunday 2 October with performances on the main stage and active living and dance demonstrations.
• Festival Hub at Lower Melbourne Town Hall with free lunchtime concerts, displays, exhibitions and travel information sessions.
• Concerts at Melbourne Town Hall including the World Music Concert, the Royal Melbourne Philharmonic Orchestra and the popular Seniors Variety Show on Thursday 6 October.
• Bowls Victoria and beyondblue providing free lawn bowls with around 100 open days scheduled at clubs across Victoria.

A new Seniors Online website has also been developed to be a first port-of-call for Victorian seniors looking for information online.

The website includes information on government programs, community contacts and the 2011 Seniors Festival. It also presents a range of offers from Seniors Card participating businesses.

Further information

The festival program is available at all Coles stores, libraries, council offices, neighbourhood houses and various community and seniors’ organisations.

Further information is available from www.seniorsonline.vic.gov.au or by calling Seniors Information Victoria on 1300 135 090.