Queensland Senior’s Week August 19-27

Seniors Week is an opportunity for Queenslanders of all ages to join together and celebrate the valuable contributions of older people. In 2017, Seniors Week will be celebrated from 19-27 August.

Seniors Week aims to:

• improve community attitudes towards older people and ageing
• facilitate community participation and activity by older people, including those from Indigenous and culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds
• enhance community connections and inter-generational relationships.

Seniors Week is coordinated by the Council on the Ageing (COTA) Queensland.

‘Seniors Week is a time for all Queenslanders to acknowledge and celebrate the valuable contributions seniors make in their communities.  Whether as volunteers or in the workforce, seniors utilize their experiences and knowledge as carers, grandparents and community leaders. ‘ COTA Queensland  Mark Tucker-Evans  said.

“For some living in rural and remote communities, Seniors Week is the one time of year they get to connect with long lost friends.

“For others, Seniors Week is a way to assist in combating social isolation through the discovery of programs and activities, creation of new friendships and in remaining an active member of society. “

“We appreciate that Seniors Week can only be a success through the hard work and efforts of people and organisations throughout the state. We are looking forward to working with everyone”   said Mark.

The ask:

Get involved by joining us in challenging the stereotypes of ageing.

Seniors Week provides the opportunity to highlight the diversity of older Queenslanders.  This year we invite you to participate in our Face of Ageing campaign.

We have all heard the phrase “a picture is worth a thousand words“.  Your face tells the story of your life.

Whether the lines on your face are the result of “I laughed a lot” or “I thought deeply” let your story shine through!

It’s easy to be part of the Face of Ageing. Simply take a selfie or an elfie (elder selfie) and upload it onto social media or to the Queensland Seniors Week Facebook page with the hashtag #faceofageing and share with us a bit about yourself.  Join us in challenging the ageing stereotype.

Details are available on the Queensland Government Portal.

This is perfect opportunity to connect generations by getting the whole community involved.

Show your support on social media by downloading cover and profile images for Facebook and Twitter from our Seniors Week resource section at www.cotaqld.org.au and using the hashtag  #qldseniorsweek when posting about Queensland Seniors Week.

Are you looking to get involved with events in your community? Visit the online events calendar to see what’s on in your area.  Events are being added weekly and I invite you to visit often.

Key Facts and Figures

• COTA Queensland coordinated the first Seniors Week in Queensland the 1960s – back then it was called Old People’s Week … how times have changed
• 1 in 3 women and 1 in 5 men over the age of 65 in Australia live alone
• Seniors Week is a way to assist in combating social isolation
• Seniors Week brings Queenslanders of all ages together
• It’s the largest week long seniors’ celebration in Queensland
• There are some really fun events including music and dancing, trivia competitions, art and road shows , story telling, art exhibitions and even a mock Olympics
• You don’t have to be old to attend
• You don’t have to be young to have fun
• It’s on for young & old