Media Release: Positive Ageing Celebrations
- Media Release
111 senior citizens across the District Council of Grant came together to celebrate their contributions and successes within the community.
In honour of Seniors Month 2022, Council coordinated four Positive Ageing Luncheons in the final week of October for residents aged 55 and above to enjoy learning together, food and each other’s company.
Community members gathered at local restaurants in the following townships:
- Port MacDonnell on Monday, 24 October at the Victoria Hotel;
- Tarpeena on Tuesday, 25 October at the Pines Hotel;
- Carpenter Rocks on Thursday, 27 October at The Rocks Tavern;
- Mount Schank on Friday, 28 October at The Bellum Hotel.
Despite poor weather conditions, Council’s Chief Executive Officer, Darryl Whicker, was pleased with the communities participation.
“These annual events are an excellent opportunity for our older population to connect with each other while also supporting local business eateries. It is also the perfect opportunity for Council to acknowledge the considerable contributions our seniors make to our community,” Mr Whicker said.
“The additional insight our senior residents gave about each community is valued as this information will help Council plan for our future.”
Pictured: Tarpeena residents enjoying chatting to Council staff and other locals at the Tarpeena Positive Ageing Luncheon.
Attendees enjoyed presentations by local emergency service representatives focusing on the importance of being aware of scams, changes to the Fire Danger Rating System, how to be prepared for a medical emergency and be safe online.
Pictured: Emergency service representatives speaking to the Port MacDonnell senior citizens.
Presentations were also given by residents who shared hobbies and projects they are involved in. Bron Perryman shared her experience with being involved with the Kids & Cockies Helping Cockies Project where Bird Life Australia and Zoos SA representatives help rejuvenate the endangered Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo population, and Sharon Bruhn shared her love of collecting sea glass from the Southern Ocean.
Pictured: Bron Perryman (left) sharing her involvement with the Kids & Cockies Helping Cockies Project at the Mount Schank Positive Ageing Luncheon, and community members from Carpenter Rocks and surrounding townships listening to Sharon Bruhn's presentation (right) on sea glass and the Southern Ocean.
Sharon Bruhn, presenter at Carpenter Rocks, said she was delighted to share her sea glass collection activity with the community.
“This is the third time I have been invited to talk, the previous two times I spoke about living on Christmas Island and the Red Crab migration. This year it was really nice to talk about something local,” Ms Bruhn said.
“I thought that if people were interested then they could get out locally and search for sea glass. I also thought that it [local restaurant at Carpenter Rocks] was a great little place to present in, it was a nice intimate spot.”
Staff are already beginning to plan 2023 Seniors Month celebrations. Watch out for event announcements via the District Council of Grant Facebook page and monthly community newsletter available on Council’s website at www.dcgrant.sa.gov.au/council/newsletters.
Pictured: Senior residents enjoying their meal and presentation by SAPOL Officers at the Pines Hotel, Tarpeena (left), and Port MacDonnell Community Complex Coordinator, Zoe Liddle, inviting Trevor Sheard, Port MacDonnell Maritime Museum representative, to share details of the Maritime Museum (right).
Pictured: Community members gathered to socialise at The Rocks Tavern, Carpenter Rocks.