COTA ACT is pleased to announce the newly branded ACT Seniors Week. The new name for the events which will take place throughout the year in Canberra is Silver is Gold Festival – sparking connection and re-imagining ageing.
The new name aims to introduce the direction and focus that COTA ACT will implement as part of celebrating Canberra’s seniors. COTA ACT will hold multiple events throughout the year to avoid the potential disappointment that occurred in 2020 when ACT Seniors Week was cancelled due to COVID restrictions.
COTA ACT will continue to celebrate Canberra’s seniors while remaining agile. Instead of one week of celebrations, we will stage events throughout the year that connect the community, families and seniors so they can enjoy time together in our wonderful city. The range of events will encourage our community to re-imagine ageing and envisage the positives that growing older brings. We will focus on both how we would like to age and how we would like to be treated as we mature.
While the Canberra community is still cautious regarding conditions around COVID-19, Jenny Mobbs, CEO COTA ACT, aims to encourage community connection. “There are two very important messages for everyone living in Canberra regarding our new brand. The first is connection. We are keen to see the whole community take responsibility in reaching out and building a co-operative spirit, particularly with our older folk,” said Ms Mobbs.
“The second is re-imagining ageing. Many people in our society have a negative opinion of older people, ageing and the aged. We are all living longer, seniors are active and they contribute hugely to society, be this through volunteering, looking after grandchildren or being in the work force. It’s time for everyone to re-imagine older people and ageing. Contributing to a community that welcomes and nurtures our seniors is a far better place for everyone to live.
“COTA ACT invites all seniors to save the dates for Silver is Gold and take this opportunity to spark a connection and re-imagine ageing. Help us in our active campaign to broaden the community’s perspective on improving society for our ageing citizens. Support us in our vision to actively create connections between people of all ages and to re-imagine a community that shares, respects and integrates fully with its senior community,” concluded Ms Mobbs.
The Silver is Gold Expo (previously the ACT Seniors Expo) will take place on Thursday 16 September 2021. COTA ACT will also host a picnic and performance day for grandparents and grandchildren called the Silver is Gold Grandparents’ Day, on 31 October 2021. There will also be a number of Community Education Events at the Hughes Community Centre throughout the year.
For more information about the Silver is Gold Festival, call the COTA ACT office on 6282 3777 or email – Events@cotaact.org.au