ORANGE seniors gathered at the Senior Citizens and Pensioners Centre as part of Orange Seniors Week on Friday to celebrate what ageing means to them.
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A feature of the NSW Seniors Festival is the As I Age chalkboard, which is designed to be thought-provoking and to get the conversation started among local communities about what ageing means to them, and what their aspirations are for seniors.
Members of the Orange Men’s Shed volunteered as quizmasters on the day as well as manning the barbecue.
One of those members was Hugh Laird who said keeping Orange’s seniors active in the community was an important part of their mantra.
“We’ve been doing these trivia days for them for the last few years,” he said.
“This is good for them - it’s good stimulation and they’re doing alright - they are pretty bright.
“Senior citizens week is about making the community aware of our senior citizens and that they’re part of our community.
“Whilst they may be in aged care they are not forgotten - they are still contributing, giving feedback and having a laugh and a joke.”
As well as the service provided by Orange City Council through Seniors Week, Mr Laird said the Men’s Shed was a point of call for the elderly all year round.
Orange Seniors Week committee member Philomena Parker enjoys spending time with Orange’s senior citizens.
“They love it [the participants] that’s for sure - they love to give cheeky answers,” she said.
“It’s a great week for all involved.”
The theme for this year’s Seniors Week is to “grow young” - to learn, to laugh and to be inspired, which was certainly on show at the Senior Citizens and Pensioners Centre on Friday.
bryson.ferreira@fairfaxmedia.com.au
