In this October month of warm and sunny festivity, there are two local seniors events happening with the City of Monash and the City of Kingston councils, they run alongside the Victorian Seniors Festival which is held annually every October stemming down with active events across Victorian councils including two of our local councils! This will commence from the 1st to the 31st of October with times varying depending on the event and activities.
The Monash Seniors Festival is back this year with exciting programs of free and low cost events for older adults to enjoy. Come and join in to launch the festival that features more than 50 activities, talks, workshops and events run by the council and other community organisations. You can find more information on the individual activities and what they have to offer on their website at www.monash.vic.gov.au. Under the search bar just type Monash Seniors Festival to view all of the individual activity tabs!
The Kingston’s Seniors Festival also returns this year with more than 100 activities and events running this October. The Festival is an annual event that celebrates ageing positively and recognises the important contribution older people make to the community. This year’s exciting program of low cost and free events provides a great opportunity to get out and about, pick up new skills, learn what activities and services are available, join local clubs and groups in the community, meet others and most importantly have fun! You can also view more information on the activities being held on the City of Kingston’s website at www.kingston.vic.gov.au and search for Kingston Seniors Festival to view their digital booklet!
As the success of the Monash Seniors Festival first week passes and the second is still active, the third holds a number of more exciting events to participate in which will commence from the 16th to the 22nd of October.
The first being the Chisholm Combined Probus Club: General Meeting Invitation hosted by the Chisholm Combined Probus Club. Visitors are invited to attend the October general meeting and listen to a guest speaker, retired detective Graeme Simpfendorfer, the lead investigator in the hit TV show Hunted Australia. This meeting will take place from 10:00am to 12:00pm on Monday 16th of October at Mount Waverley Youth Centre which is at 45 Miller Crescent, Mount Waverley. The event is free with no bookings required and any further inquiries about it, can be contacted at 9802 5496 to find out more information.
The next activity is the witty named Tech for the Terrified organised by Waverley Community Learning Centre. This program is suitable for absolute beginners at using smartphones and computers. Please bring your own device. Commencing on Monday 16th of October to 11th of December from 10:00am to 12:00pm at 5 Fleet Street Mount Waverley with a cost of $40. To make bookings please contact 9807 6011.
The third activity also being held on Monday the 16th is the Metro Rail Safety and Information Session from 11:00am to 12:00pm at Glen Waverley Library which is located at 112 Kingsway. This Metro rail safety information session will improve passengers confidence, mobility and ensure all members of the community are safely using the rail network. The session will cover platform and train safety, safe use of rail crossings, journey planning, accessible trains and platforms and who to contact for help. The session is free and any further inquiry can be contacted at 9518 3030.
The following activity being held on Tuesday the 17th is Organised by AVEO – Oak Tree Hill Retirement Village. Located at the Oak Tree Hill Retirement Community Centre at 37 View Mount Road (Gate A), Glen Waverley and starting from 10:30am to 11:30am with a morning tea included, join in on this free event to find out current and general information on retirement, budget changes, maximising superannuation, Centrelink, navigating the My Aged Care system and government funding. Any further inquiries can be contacted through to 9133 8788.
Join in and come outdoors in the warm and glowing sun for a Jells Park History Walk organised by Waverley Bushwalking Club. This activity is free of charge and is happening on Wednesday the 18th of October from 10:00am to 11:30am (hoping the weathers nice) at Jells Park Waverley Road, Wheelers Hill (meet outside Madeline’s). Jells Park is a much loved public park in Wheelers Hill and named after one of the earliest settlers Joseph Jell who grazed cattle in the mid to late 1800s. The park has an interesting history and was utilised as a piggery from the late 1930s to the 1960s. Meet at Madeline’s Café for a tour of several sites in the park, with commentary on the park’s history since European settlement. Any further inquiries please contact 0438 630 938.
The next session that will be held on the same day at 12:00pm to 1:00pm is the Prostate Cancer Awareness Session which is organised by Monash Men’s Shed. Prostate cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in Australian men. This session is to encourage more men to take action to improve their health outcomes. Andrew Blackwell’s presentation aims to raise awareness about the prostate, symptoms, when to get tested and where to get information. This session will be located at 49 to 77 Bogong Avenue in Glen Waverley with a lunch available for a $2 donation. For bookings please contact 9561 8557.
Another same day Wednesday the 18th event is a free croquet activity! From 1:30pm to 3:00pm come and try croquet with Monash Croquet Club at Electra Reserve 21A Electra Avenue in Ashwood! Try your hand at the enjoyable sport of croquet. Mallets are supplied along with instructions. Join in for coffee and cake afterwards. For any further inquiries please contact 9803 3053 to get more information.
On the coming Friday the 20th at 10:30am to 12:00pm there will be a laid back free book swap and morning tea which will be organised by Combined Probus Club of Monash Central at Mount Waverley Youth Centre located at 43 Miller Crescent. We invite you to enjoy a free, delicious morning tea, browse books and tap your toes to live jazz entertainment. Bring one book and take two. For any further inquiries please contact 9808 0995.
The final event for the third week of the Monash Seniors Festival will be held also on Friday the 20th from 1:00pm to 3:00pm is a free session organised by Waverley Community Learning Centre called Scambusters: Safety in a Digital World. Here you will learn about what to watch out for online, on your phone and in your email inbox to be aware of scams and keep safe in the digital world. This session will be held at 5 Fleet Street in Mount Waverley and you can contact 9807 6011 for session bookings.
As week one, two and three have been packed and wrapped up with exciting, informative and fun events and activities, Monash Seniors Festival will be available to attend and participate in another full week’s worth of engaging and entertaining individual day based activities! With week four commencing on Monday the 22nd of October and concluding on Tuesday the 31st of October, you can be sure that you won’t miss out on any new activities you may have seen in the previous weeks that were available and of interest to you!
The first activity for week four of Monash Seniors Festival is a free Circus: A History in Australia commencing on Tuesday the 24th from 11:00am to 12:00pm and will be held at Wheelers Hill Library located at 860 Ferntree Gully Road. Join author Mark St Leon as he presents a comprehensive, entertaining and visually stunning history of the circus in Australia. The journey starts with his own family’s past involvement with the circus, through to how the circus is woven into the historical fabric of modern Australia. Copies of the book by Mark St Leon will be available to purchase at the event. For any further inquiries you can contact 9265 4877.
The next event is a free session called Protecting Your Rights. In Australia, one in six people over 65 years of age will experience elder abuse within their family in any 12 months. There are ways you can take steps to prevent elder abuse from occurring and protect your rights in the future. In this interactive session Seniors Rights Victoria will discuss the different types of elder abuse, risks, how to plan so your choices are respected and where to seek support and assistance when abuse occurs. This session will also be held on Tuesday the 24th at 11:00am to 12:00pm and is located at 112 Kingsway Glen Waverley Library. For any further inquiries please contact 9518 3030.
On Thursday the 26th from 10:00am to 12:00pm there will be a free informative session held about CPR training which is organised by Waverley Community Learning Centre where you will learn how to help someone in an emergency situation. Located at 5 Fleet Street in Mount Waverley please contact 9807 6011 for bookings and any inquiries or bookings can also be done through the website at www.wclc.org.au.
Thursday the 26th holds another free activity which is the Seniors’ Morning Tea at The Hub! Organised by The Hub Glen Waverley Uniting Church come and share morning tea with other seniors who volunteer in the community. From 10:00am to 12:00pm everyone is welcome to join! Donations are welcome to support research into MND (Motor Neurone Disease). Located at Glen Waverley Uniting Church (Corner Bogong Avenue, Kingsway) you can make bookings for this morning tea activity by calling 9560 3580.
The Soundfair Hearing Centre Information Centre organised by Soundfair is a free informative and helpful session that will also be held on Thursday the 26th from 10:30am to 12:00pm with a morning tea provided from 10:30am. Located at Positive Ageing Activity Centre (PAAC) at 148 Drummond Street Oakleigh. Soundfair Hearing Centre will be holding an information session about the organisation’s services, communication tips and how to look after your hearing health. For any additional inquiries you can contact 9510 1577.
On Friday the 27th the festival will be holding a free meeting organised by Combined Probus Club of Syndal from 10:00am to 12:00pm called Friendship and Fun with Probus: Combined Probus Club of Syndal. Join the Spring Racing-themed meeting and see what is offered for male and female retirees. Enjoy morning tea and hear a guest speaker Dr. Geoff Crawford explore why London’s ‘Jack the Ripper’ still intrigues us. Located at Mount Waverley Youth Centre at 45 Miller Crescent please make any further inquiries about the meeting by calling 0415 040 477.
Come and try lawn bowls for free on Saturday’s starting 28th of October, 3rd and 17th of November! Organised by Mount Waverley Bowling Club everyone is welcome to come and try lawn bowls at the friendly bowls club from 4:00pm to 6:00pm. This all abilities, all ages sport is easy to learn and offers a lifetime of enjoyment and free tuition is provided. Located at corner Alvie Road and Wadham Parade in Mount Waverley this activity requires no bookings to attend! For any further inquiries please contact 0478 952 026 or email [email protected].
The next free activity will be on Monday 30th of October from 10:30am to 11:30am, it is the Independence at Home: Discover the Latest Gadgets organised by AVEO – Oak Tree Hill Retirement Village. Located at Oak Tree Hill Retirement Community Centre which is at 37 View Mount Road (Gate A) in Glen Waverley, discover, touch and feel some of the latest gadgets and equipment that can help you with daily needs, assist with mobility issues and maintain your independence. This session includes Q&A time and a delicious morning tea. For any inquiries please contact 9133 8788.
The final event that will conclude the Monash Seniors Festival will be the laid back, fun and free Knitting and Crochet Workshop for Seniors! This activity will be commencing on Tuesday the 31st of October from 2:00pm to 4:00pm at Oakleigh Library (upstairs auditorium) which is located at 148 Drummond Street. With only a basic knowledge of knitting or crochet required join in for an afternoon of social connection while you knit or crochet for charity. Items can range from blanket squares to baby booties. All items created will then be donated to the charity, KOGO (Knit One Give One) to be passed on to disadvantaged and vulnerable community members. Please bring your own knitting needles and crochet hooks as wool will be provided. This activity is aimed at adults 60+ years. For any additional inquiries please contact 9518 3970.
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