By Hugh Pearson
Cardinia Shire celebrated the 40th year of the Victorian Seniors Festival last week.
Local events included an old-time dance event on Sunday 16 October at Pakenham Hall and a live show and Devonshire tea at the Cardinia Cultural Centre.
“Over the past four decades, the Victorian Seniors Festival has provided so many affordable and accessible opportunities for seniors across the state to connect with others and continue to engage with their local communities in fun and enjoyable ways,” Cardinia Shire Mayor Jeff Springfield said.
Attendees of the old-time dance event were treated to an afternoon of dancing to ballroom, old-time, new vogue, rock ‘n’ roll, progressive and line dancing along with afternoon tea and prizes.
The live show at the cultural centre featured the talents of The Syncopators jazz band along with Yvette Johansson.
Mayor Springfield said the festival was a great opportunity to celebrate Pakenham’s senior community.
“In the past few years our communities have been challenged by the impacts of the global pandemic, from health concerns and financial strains to the flow-on effects of isolation on our mental and social health and wellbeing,” Mayor Springfield said.
“So, this year’s events in Cardinia Shire, like those across Victoria, are very much a celebration of the resilience that our senior community members have shown over the past few years.”
The events were also the perfect opportunity for the senior community to catch up and socialise.
“These events give our seniors community an opportunity to all come together to re-connect, take it easy and have some good fun,” Mayor Springfield said.
“And it’s been fantastic to see both local events sold out not long after tickets became available – showing that our local seniors are as keen as anyone else to get out and about again.”
