This year’s Seniors Festival offered more than 70 opportunities to move, engage, celebrate, learn and socialise.
Activities and classes were wide-ranging to suit all interests, including sporting activities, cultural celebrations, technical support and many more. A highlight of the Festival was the sold out fabulous performance of The Piano Men and the Get Active Expo at Camp Manyung.
To join the mailing list or view electronically: mornpen.vic.gov.au/PositiveAgeingNewsletter positiveageing@mornpen.vic.gov.au
The Shire has one of the largest populations of people over 60 years of age in Victoria and the Seniors Festival is a way to acknowledge and celebrate this through opportunities to connect at local and low-cost events.
Did you attend one of the Seniors Festival events? Let us know how it went by emailing: positiveageing@ mornpen.vic.gov.au
Mornington Peninsula Shire acknowledges and pays respect to the Bunurong people, the Traditional Custodians of these lands and waters. We are committed to the cultural safety of older people of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, culturally and linguistically diverse and LGBTQIA+ backgrounds.
Mornington Peninsula Seniors Festival 2024
Event guide 1-31 October
Ageism Awareness Day – 9 October
Ageism is often described as the last ‘ism’ that continues to be tolerated and accepted.
Ageism is discrimination based on age and can impact on older people and young people. It is not benign or harmless.
Ageism is a big problem because it impacts on our confidence, quality of life, job prospects, health and control over life decisions. It is pervasive but often hidden. It can distort our attitudes to older people (and younger people) and have profound negative impacts on our personal experience of growing older.
The impacts of ageism can prevent or limit us from contributing and participating in our communities – in the workplace, socially, economically and as full citizens – and even impact our physical health and longevity.
Watch the video: mornpen.link/everyagecounts Take the quiz: mornpen.link/AmIanAgeist
Get help to stay cool this Summer
Is your home too hot in summer?
Eligible residents* can apply for the Shire’s Energy Support Grant and receive 50% off their out-of-pocket expenses (up to $1,000) for air conditioning, insulation and draught proofing to help create a more comfortable home.
To find out more about the grants or to register your interest in one of the free Energy Support Grant Support Sessions at the Shire libraries: mornpen.vic.gov.au/climateactiongrant nicci.tsernjavski@mornpen.vic.gov.au 5950 1297 (Nicci)
*Applicants must hold one of the following current cards: Department of Veteran Affairs Gold Cards, Health Care Card, Low Income Health Care Card, Pensioner Concession Card, Commonwealth Seniors Health Card or receive payments through: Carer Allowance or Family Tax Benefit.
Digital divide
With the push to access vital information and services online, some older adults face challenges due to a ‘digital exclusion’, especially for multicultural seniors. This divide leads to poorer health outcomes, less independence and increased vulnerability for our older community.
In-person digital literacy training is key to help reduce this divide.
Traditional avenues to access information and services such as paper-based, phone-based and face to face options will help bridge the digital divide and improve the quality of life for older people. mornpen.link/digitaldivide 9354 9555 eccv@eccv.org.au
Lively – tech support at our libraries
The Lively program, available at our libraries, offers older residents support with all digital and technical things. Lively sessions offer support with apps, creating passwords, understanding online banking, equipment advice, accessing emails and internet. mornpen.link/Lively
“I was so grateful to receive this help free of charge from Elle who was extremely patient ... and explained things clearly to me” – Cathy, 70
LiveUp is a national healthy ageing initiative funded by the Department of Health and Aged Care, designed to help older people maintain their independence and social connections as they age.
Making Choices Finding Solutions is a guide to help find low-risk assistive products with tips for basic home modifications, helping people to better manage everyday tasks and address common frustrations as they age. The guide is a valuable resource for staff working with older people and offers useful health information for multicultural communities. Contact Joan Bradshaw: 1800 951 971 communities@liveup.org.au
your pet back!
We are excited to continue offering free cat and dog desexing this financial year for our senior community.
We have also added free microchipping to our services to help alleviate the cost of owning a new pet. The free service, along with free first-year pet registration, is available to Mornington Peninsula residents who are senior cardholders. 5950 1838 casgroup@mornpen.vic.gov.au
Community houses create community connection Love
Community houses (also known as neighbourhood houses and community centres) are the heartbeat of our local neighbourhoods, fostering connection, learning and local engagement.
There are 13 community houses dotted throughout the Shire, offering low-cost activities and opportunities for everyone.
Community houses welcome people from all walks of life, creating opportunities for individuals and groups to make connections they might not have otherwise made. mornpen.vic.gov.au/communityhouses 1300 850 600
Explore the Peninsula at Your Own Pace
This summer, explore free and low-cost activities on the Mornington Peninsula. Start your day with a peaceful walk along the Warringine Boardwalk in Hastings or explore our many coastal paths.
Visit the Mornington Peninsula Regional Gallery (free entry), then enjoy a stroll and coffee in nearby townships.
Visit a local market, swim at a quiet beach, or picnic at Seawinds Gardens.
Embrace the serenity of an offthe-beaten-path experiences
Grandparents supported playgroup
Build your grandparenting confidence and support your grandchild’s development and wellbeing in this free program running over eight weeks.
Meet other grandparents and make new connections in your community through play-based activities, nature walks, stories, and songs. Walk and talk with our Maternal Child Health Nurse. Suitable for children from birth to school age. Expressions of interest will be advertised in 2025. 5950 1099
mornpen.vic.gov.au/supportedplaygroups
and discover new favourites along the way.
For more ideas on how to explore the Peninsula at your own pace, visit the Mornington Peninsula Visitor Information Centre.
mornpen.vic.gov.au/tourism 5950 1579
Learn how to embroider and stitch
Come and learn how to embroider and stitch at The Embroiderers Guild, Victoria - Flinders Branch.
Seniors are welcome to bring along their stitching or pick up one of our starter packs and join our enthusiastic group of embroiderers and textile artists. No matter what your interest or ability is, our friendly group will share their skills and tricks of the trade.
First, third and fifth Monday of each month. Venue: St. John’s Anglican Church Hall, King Street, Flinders.
Contact: Kay Matthews, Flinders Branch President Flinders@embroiderersguildvic.org 0434 995 448
The Limelight Players
Introducing...
Be entertained by Gunfight at the Cocoa Corral .
Step back into the 1940s and the wild woolly west, with radio plays, jingles and comedy from the old days for a day of fun, hosted by professional comedian and comedy writer Don Jones.
Want to join the cast? If you have dreamed of performing on stage, join The Limelight Players and be part of the next production! Rehearsals (Wednesdays): Tootgarook Senior Citizens Centre, 2 Berry Street
Next show: Sat 1 March, 2pm 0481 190 977 (Lyn Soligo)
We are excited to welcome two new staff employed as Community Connectors.
These new roles will assist residents to connect with aged care and disability services and help navigate the many available support services.
Beth and Bronwyn come with a wide range of skills and experience and a passion for supporting older people to find the connections, support and care they need to thrive as they age.
5950 3264 communityconnectors@ mornpen.vic.gov.au
Community transport
Did you know we offer transport for people 65 years+ and for people of any age who have a disability (and their carer)?
Dial-A-Bus $1 each way
Operates right across the Peninsula with each township having a dedicated day for services. Pick up from your home in the morning with return trips starting in the early afternoon.
Outings and excursions
$8.50 per trip
To places and events of interest for people who are assessed as Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) eligible.
Health Access Transport (HAT) $1 each way
Operating on the same principles of Dial A Bus, this service is available to residents who are unable to access public transport and have no other support options to attend healthcare/medical appointments.
We want to help you remain independent, access your local community and maintain social connections.
All services are door to door! Our bus will collect passengers from the footpath, or the safest pick-up point nearest the given address and transport them to any location within the service area.
Contact our Community Transport team to apply for transport support. 5950 1605 mornpen.vic.gov.au/ communitytransport
Cost of living help
The Shire offers eligible concession card holders up to 50 per cent discount off rates up to a yearly maximum of $259.50 in 2024/25.
This concession is available to Shire residents and must be for their principal place of residency.
Renters are also eligible to claim this concession if they have an agreement/contract with the landlord who is responsible for the payment of Shire rates. For more information: mornpen.vic.gov.au/pensioner 1800 658 521
Aqua aerobics at our leisure and aquatic centres
Staying active as we age is essential for maintaining physical health.
At Pelican Park, Crib Point Pool and Yawa Aquatic Centre, aqua aerobics offers older adults a low-impact, jointfriendly workout that is both effective, accessible and fun.
The water’s buoyancy allows people with arthritis, chronic conditions or mobility issues to
exercise without the strain of traditional workouts.
Aqua aerobics helps improve flexibility and balance, which assists in preventing falls and maintaining independence.
Join your workout buddies for coffee after class to build friendships and reduce loneliness.
mornpenleisure.com.au
1300 850 197
As one member put it, "My fitness has improved significantly...plus the social aspect is fabulous."
Instructor Sue encourages, “You've done the hard work, you got out of bed, put on your bathers and walked in here, now this is the fun stuff so enjoy the class and just keep moving."
Keep active at Sorrento Community Centre
Are you looking for a place to keep active, meet new friends and explore exciting hobbies? Sorrento Community Centre is perfect for active seniors! Join in a game of pickleball, challenge your mind with mahjong, or dive into your family history with our genealogy group. We offer a variety of activities designed to keep you engaged and entertained.
Sorrento Community Centre 860-868 Melbourne Road 5984 3360 admin@sorrentocc.org.au
As a community newsletter, we welcome your input. What would you like to read about? Would you like to advertise an event?
Please email your ideas to:
positiveageing@mornpen.vic.gov.au
5950 1000
We are committed to Positive Ageing. Contact us for a copy of the We All Belong Strategy.
Setting the PACE for positive ageing on the Peninsula PACE is a Shire community advisory committee who represent community views and advise about the needs of over 55s. mornpen.vic.gov.au/pace
