Seniors Week in the Hills Shire

Gear up for the upcoming events in the Hills Shire’s Seniors Week, a local arm of NSW’s annual celebration of the Seniors Festival 2024 every March.

The Hills Shire Council will participate in the “biggest celebration in the southern hemisphere for seniors” through a series of free events during Seniors Week from 11 to 14 March, covering online use, film viewing, retirement and activities like aerobic exercises. 

“Reach Beyond!” is the statewide Festival’s theme this year.

On Tuesday, 12 March 2024, seniors can learn how to use the Council’s online systems and digital resources better and maximise their online engagement. Members from different teams from Community Development, Customer Services, Library Services, and Rates will guide the Navigating Council Services Online workshop. 

According to the Council, its primary objective is to enhance connections to residents and access to its services. As of writing, no registration is required. 

The workshop will run from 10:30 AM to 1:00 PM and will be held at the Rebellion room in Castle Hill Cultural Centre (Pioneer Theatre).

In the Aqua Aerobics Exercises workshops, seniors can join two sessions at the Waves Fitness Aquatic Centre to stay active and fit. Council mentioned: “Aqua aerobics is a low-impact exercise that helps improve coordination, control, and range of movement.”

Attendees are required to book online via Eventbrite. Additional information about the event is available at the provided link.

For Wednesday, 13 March, the session will run from 11:30 AM to 12:15 PM and can be booked online: Aqua Aerobics Exercise – 13 March (Still available).

On Tuesday, 19 March, the aqua aerobic workshop will begin at 10:30 AM and end at 11:15 PM: Aqua Aerobics Exercise – 19 March (Update: Registration closed). 

In Seniors Films, they can have a late morning viewing featuring the sport-comedy film Next Goal Wins (2023), directed by Taika Waititi, along with a quick speech from the Mayor of the Hills Shire, Dr Peter Gangemi, before the film starts. 

“Seniors week is a time to celebrate and enjoy being an active and engaged senior citizen. This event is for seniors citizens who live in suburbs in the Hills Shire Council area,” the Council mentioned.  

“It has become an event that the senior’s community have come to enjoy and expect from us. There will be complimentary popcorn, a choc top and bottled water.”

Book a slot for the movie screening at Seniors Week Movie Screening – Next Goal Wins, which will be held at Castle Towers, at 6-14 Castle Street in Castle Hill, NSW.

Visit the Reach Beyond Seniors Expo, a collaborative effort by the Hills Shire Council, Rouse Hill Town Centre, and various local organisations on various March dates to learn more about services geared towards seniors in the Hills.  

“It is an opportunity for seniors to learn about what services are on offer to them within The Hills Shire. It also offers a space for seniors to meet and socialise with each other to create stronger bonds within the community,” the announcement mentioned.

“The active participation of local businesses at Rouse Hill Town Centre and community organisations in the Hills makes this as our first event in the North Ward especially to our local seniors.”

Dates include:

• • Tuesday, 12 March (10:30 AM – 01:00 PM)
  • Wednesday, 13 March (11:30 AM – 12:15 PM)
  • Thursday, 14 March 2024 (10:00 AM – 12:30 PM)
  • Friday, 15 March 2024 (10:00 AM – 01:00 PM)
  • Tuesday, 19 March 2024 (10:30 AM – 11:15 AM)
  • Thursday, 21 March 2024 (10:00 AM – 01:00 PM)

The Expo will be held at Market Square, Rouse Hill Town Centre.

At the Seniors Retirement Seminar on Thursday, 21 March, seniors can learn more about the challenges and emotions typically experienced and felt by retirees. It aims to acknowledge relevant topics such as maximising long-term retirement satisfaction strategies, guiding them towards discovering purpose, engaging in “activities that bring joy, and fostering connections within their communities. 

According to the Council, it will explore four main topics:

• • Maintaining physical and mental well-being.
  • Engaging in fulfilling pursuits like hobbies and relationships.
  • Adapting to change.
  • Fostering a positive life philosophy centred around purpose and meaning.

The seminar will be led by Peter Graham and YouTuber Arthur Thomas Ware, who started a YouTube channel documenting his retirement journey.  

There will be four sessions:

Session 1 | 10:30 AM | Expectation vs Reality

Session 2 | 11:00 AM | Understanding Retirement

Session 3 | 11:30 AM | How to Meet Challenges

Session 4 | 12:30 PM | The Critical Issues of Retirement

Registration for the sessions can be booked online via Eventbrite: Seniors – Retirement Seminar. It will be held at Baulkham Hills Community Centre

NSW Seniors Festival acknowledges the role and contributions of the older folks in local communities and is coordinated by the NSW Department of Communities & Justice, while councils and community organisations run the local events.

The Festival will run from 11 to 24 March 2024, offering various events, classes, and performances across the state, such as the Premier’s Gala Concerts, Comedy Show, and Seniors Festival Expo.

The NSW Government expects 500,000 attendees every year.