Frankston Seniors Festival heralds fun and good times ahead
Published on 19 September 2022
The Frankston Seniors Festival is held in October every year to honour seniors in our City. The month-long festival runs from 3 to 30 October and includes an array of interactive activities geared toward older adults in our Community.
Filled to the brim with festivities, there are many highlights. These include a night of comedy and music with comedian Monica Dullard and an ABBA tribute band on 15 October. Other events include cooking by Sri Lankan seniors, Filipino line dances and songs paying homage to Russian culture. There’s everything from tai chi to board games, day trips and even movie matinees from the Golden Age of cinema. Whether you want to learn how to navigate technology, are keen to explore retirement or just want a banter at one of the chatty cafes, there’s something for everyone.
Mayor Nathan Conroy said, “Frankston City’s seniors make an invaluable contribution to our community, and this Festival is a chance for us to say ‘thank you’. We hope our City’s seniors will enjoy the month-long entertainment options meet new people, learn new skills and have fun in the process.”
Most of the events are free or at a low cost.
Download the online guide to plan your Festival or grab a printed program at key points, such as Frankston City’s libraries, the Frankston Civic Centre and the Frankston Art Centre. Bookings open on Tuesday, 20 September at 11am.
There will be free transportation for Victorian Seniors Card holders so they can explore metropolitan and regional Victoria from Sunday 2 October to Sunday 9 October 2022. To access the free transport, simply carry your Seniors Myki and Victorian Seniors Card on public transport and touch on and off as usual on regional services that don’t use Myki, show your Victorian Seniors Card to the conductor or bus driver.
Other initiatives
Beyond the festival, there are plenty of initiatives of interest to seniors around Frankston City. Below are just some of Council-run initiatives implemented to help older adults in our Community:
- Get active: Come and find out how you can get active around Frankston and Mornington with the Get Active Expo. View demonstrations and try some of the fun activities, including the giant swing and archery. The expo provides info about local groups in Frankston and the Mornington Peninsula. It takes place at Camp Manyung (35 Sunnyside Road, Mount Eliza) on Friday 30 September from 10am to 1pm.
- Local transport: The Community Bus is a door-to-door bus service offering regular bus trips to shopping, the library, the pool and clubs for $2 per trip.
- Home maintenance: Seniors who need help around the house can turn to Council. Services including anything from installing smoke alarms, replacing light globes, installing hand held showers and other handyman services.
- Home care: Council offers older adults who need it help with cleaning. We offer vacuuming, mopping floors, laundry, household tasks and shopping.
- Personal care: Help is offered to older citizens with their individual personal needs, such as showering, dressing, shaving and washing their hair as well as shopping.
- Respite care: This service allows primary carers to have a break while trained Council staff support the person being cared for.
- Meals on Wheels: Meals on Wheels Day was on 31 August, and Frankston City is grateful to the 110 volunteers who offer so much of their time to prepare 6,000 three-course meals per month. To volunteer in the program which offers food and social connection to those who need it the most, email FHSSVolunteering@frankston.vic.gov.au or call 0439 427 500.
- Outings and excursions: The Outings and Excursion Program encourages older residents to participate in group outings, including lunches and morning teas at restaurants and cafes, trips to the movies and shows, visits to museums and day trips and so much more. Each outing is hosted by a Council staff members, accompanied by a volunteer. To volunteer contact FHSSVolunteering@frankston.vic.gov.au or call 0439 427 500.
- Friendly businesses: The Seniors Friendly Small Business pilot project was started by Council’s Age Friendly Frankston Ambassadors. The project identifies and promotes local businesses that are friendly, welcoming and accessible.
- New recreation space: Works commenced on Wingham Park Seniors’ Activity Space on Thursday, 25 August. Key features of the new space include fitness equipment created with seniors’ accessibility, balance, dexterity and agility in mind. Thanks to an outdoor deck activity space and tree planting for additional space, the new park will be a great place for people of all abilities and ages to meet, enjoy nature, exercise and play sport when it is ready in December.
To access Aged Care Services call My Aged Care on 1800 200 422.
For more information about the Frankston Seniors Festival and other initiatives for Seniors, contact Frankston City Council’s Positive Ageing Team on 1300 322 322.
To keep abreast of the latest events, you can also sign up for the Positive Ageing newsletter via the Frankston City Council’s website and search in Positive Ageing activities and newsletter.