When Anne Martin made the change from hospitality to aged care she had no idea how rewarding sharing her days with seniors could be.
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This Seniors Festival, from April 4 to 15, Mrs Martin who manages Eureka Mardross Gardens retirement village, is encouraging young people to get to know senior citizens.
“Working with seniors is really rewarding,” she said.
“Some have the most amazing stories to tell and being able to assist them in the day to day so they can keep their independence as long as they can is really rewarding.”
The village hosted a community open day to celebrate the 60th anniversary of NSW Seniors Festival, offering free food, music and stalls with money raised donated to Carevan.
“We have so many wonderful seniors in the village and we want to celebrate them and what they accomplished in their lives,” Mrs Martin said.
“We believe charity starts at home and we were looking for a charity to support and Carevan seemed a perfect choice, they help not only elderly people who are homeless but young people as well.”
Resident Trev Davis, 80, said it was a beautiful day to meet new people.
“It’s absolutely magnificent,” he said.
Grace Hoffmann, 84, has lived in the village of almost 13 years and was looking forward to a great day celebrating life as a senior with cupcakes.
Across NSW the councils and governments are hosting celebrations to mark the diamond jubilee of the Seniors Festival, formerly known as Seniors Week.
In Albury, senior citizens can attend table tennis open days, get free hearing checks, attend cheese and wine tastings or aqua aerobics.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said Seniors Festival was important as it showed residents what a valuable role seniors play in society.
“The NSW Government wants seniors to know how valued their contribution is and we want to thank them for all the hard work they have done and are still doing in our communities,” she said.
On Tuesday, the Lavington Men’s Shed will host an open day for men and women from 9.30am to 11.30am for seniors to try their hand at wood or metal work.
Albury city is also hosting practical sessions to assist people with energy bills.
For more information on festival activities contact Albury Council.
Digital journalists with The Border Mail.
Digital journalists with The Border Mail.
