SNFEATURE
SHEPPARTON NEWS, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2015
Norm Mitchelmore encourages seniors to stay active.
October 2015
Norm urges peers to stay active 2015 Greater Shepparton Citizen the Year recipient Norm Mitchelmore believes there are plenty of reasons for seniors to stay active. The 80-year-old keeps busy by playing sport and volunteering in the community. “I help out at the senior tennis group which is a part of the McEwen Reserve Tennis Club. We play weekly and get about 20 to 30 people there,” Mr Mitchelmore said. I’m also the secretary and treasurer of the lawn bowls 60-and-over tournament that meets every Wednesday during the season.” Mr Mitchelmore leads an active life in retirement and spends countless hours volunteering. “Once people retire, the secret to having a healthy retirement is to keep active in the community. “There are so many opportunities to help out in the Goulburn Valley,” he said. At the end of the year Mr Mitchelmore will be relieved of his long-standing position as the Shepparton Kiwanis Club secretary, but said he would continue to be active within the group.
fulfilling parts of volunteering was his Meals on Wheels round once a month. “It’s always very satisfying to help older people,” he said. With the Victorian Seniors Festival putting on a variety of events for seniors to attend during October, Mr Mitchelmore said he thought people should get out and find themselves an activity they enjoyed. “It will always be my recommendation for people to find something to do with their time,” he said. “Keeping fit is what we should be doing when we’re seniors.” Looking back on his Greater Shepparton Citizen of the Year award, Mr Mitchelmore said he was overwhelmed by the reception of his volunteer work. “That was an honour. There’s probably other people doing a lot more in the community than I do and I got it.” Mr Mitchelmore has taken it upon himself to encourage seniors to get involved in the community, but said it hadn’t always been welcome advice. “I don’t always get a positive response when I encourage people to get active, but you’ve really got to approach them and encourage them to get involved.” — Taylah Burrows
Mr Mitchelmore said one of the most
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Celebrating our senior community will return this year at the Eastbank Centre on Tuesday, October 13.
Greater Shepparton seniors are urged to explore more of what their community has to offer during the Victorian Seniors Festival this month.
A special presentation by comedian Denise Drysdale will accompany presentations from Consumer Affairs, Alzheimer’s Australia, Aquamoves, Your Health Naturally and Australian Hearing.
The festival, which runs throughout October, is themed Celebrating Communities.
Ms Thomson said the expo would not be able to go ahead without the contributions of all its exhibitors.
The theme encourages seniors to explore the social, cultural, educational and healthy living activities in their local communities as well as state-wide during the month-long festival.
“With more than 50 exhibitors in attendance and presentations from a number of service providers, this is an opportunity for people to gain valuable information and advice,” Ms Thomson said.
City of Greater Shepparton director of community Kaye Thomson encouraged people to attend the many low-cost events on offer in the municipality.
The expo will run from 9 am to 4 pm, with presentations from 9 am to noon.
“The festival enhances seniors’ social interaction by creating opportunities to meet new people, make new friends and build on current friendships,” she said.
Victorian seniors card holders will be able to utilise free public transport from Sunday, October 4 to Sunday, October 11. Free public transport will ensure seniors have access to events across the region, and Victoria.
“Research shows the more socially connected we are as a community, the healthier we are and the safer we are; that is why celebrations like this are so important.” Among the activities on offer across Greater Shepparton are photography and art classes, musical performances, comeand-try sporting and leisure activities and environmental walks. The Over 55’s Health and Wellbeing Expo
People wanting to attend the Over 55’s Health and Wellbeing Expo need to RSVP by Thursday, October 8 for catering purposes by phoning City of Greater Shepparton on 5832 9700. For more information, visit greatershepparton.com.au/events or seniorsonline.vic.gov.au
WENDY LOVELL MP
Coach & International Travel
Cardwell’s Coach & International Travel is a family owned and operated company based in the heart of the Goulburn Valley. For the past 30 years Cardwell’s has continued to provide quality Australian and International holidays. Cardwell’s are well known for their reliability, quality and value for money. Cardwell’s offer free passenger pick up and return from most major towns or provide overnight accommodation in Numurkah the night prior to departure. Perhaps there’s a tour that may interest your group or club. Cardwell’s specialise in providing clubs with day or extended tours suited to your groups’ interests.
State Member for Northern Victoria Region For assistance with State Government issues, please contact my office.
We also have HIRE and DRIVE vehicles See our website for a list of tours including day tours, extended tours and International tours or refer to our list of available tours on page 5 of today’s paper.
www.cardwells.com.au
Free Call: 1800 033 068
Address: 138 Welsford Street, Shepparton VIC / Phone: (03) 5821 0055 Fax: (03) 5831 1062 / Email: wendy.lovell@parliament.vic.gov.au Authorised by Wendy Lovell, 138 Welsford Street Shepparton VIC 3630 Funded from Parliament’s Electorate Office and Communications Budget