Time to celebrate Seniors this October

Published on 01 October 2025

The Stiletto Groove band

Glenelg Shire residents are invited to discover artefacts, learn how to access library online resources, connect with music and more during Seniors Month this October.

The Glenelg Shire Council is proud to release its free schedule of events for Seniors Month, as part of the Victorian Seniors Festival. The program will take place throughout the month of October and aims to celebrate the vital contributions older adults make to our community.

Mayor Cr Karen Stephens said Seniors Month was a time to recognise the invaluable role seniors play in shaping the local community.

“Our seniors are the heart of our towns – they are volunteers, carers, storytellers and leaders,” she said.

“This October, we’re inviting everyone to join us in celebrating their achievements, sharing their stories, and enjoying the many free and inclusive events on offer across the Shire.

“Whether it’s dancing to the hits of the 60s and 70s, discovering your family history at your local library or simply enjoying a cuppa and a chat, there’s something for everyone.”

Program highlights include:

Library Online Resource Workshops

Come along and learn all about free library online resources available at your fingertips.

This session will give you all the skills you need to stream movies, documentaries and tv shows with Kanopy and Hoopla, access e-books and e-audio books with Borrowbox and Hoopla, discovery your family history with Ancestry and trawl through old newspapers and documents on Trove.

Free program, tea/coffee and light refreshments provided.  Bookings preferred, phone 5522 2265.

Full session details and dates are below:

Casterton session

Heywood session

Portland session

Art, Tea and Treasure Sessions

Council’s Cultural Collection Officer and Library staff are going on tour to share a selection of Cultural Collection items, photos and Local History Collection books with the seniors community across October.

Participants will enjoy hands-on experience with objects from the collections, stories about special objects and historical photos from Council’s Cultural Collection. They then will have the opportunity to browse a selection of treasures from Glenelg Libraries Local History Collection.

  • Thursday 9 October

Dartmoor Bush Nursing Centre, Dartmoor

  • Friday 10 October

Respect Bayview Haven, Portland

  •  Wednesday 15 October

Digby Hall, Digby

  • Tuesday 21 October

Seasons Group, Casterton Memorial Hospital

  • Thursday 23 October

Merino Bush Nursing Centre

Free Cabaret Performance

This event is proudly presented by the Victorian State Government and Glenelg Shire Council as part of Seniors Festival 2025. Join us from 12:30pm for a light lunch and cabaret style performance.

This is a complimentary event, but bookings are essential as places are limited. If you have booked a place and are unable to attend, please let us know as soon as possible so we may release your tickets.

In addition a complimentary bus service will run to and from Casterton via Heywood, Merino and Digby for those that need assistance with travel. Places are limited, and first in best dressed. Please indicate when booking your show ticket if you will need a seat on the bus.

Purchase your free ticket

Bus Departure Times

Please arrive to the below nominated collection points 10 minutes prior to the listed departure time.

  • Casterton - Casterton Town Hall - 71 Henty St, Casterton - 11:00 AM
  • Merino - Merino Community Health  - 19/21 High St, Merino - 11:15 AM 
  • Digby - Digby Post Office Hotel - 3237 Portland-Casterton Rd, Digby - 11:25 AM
  • Heywood - Heywood Community Hall - 18-20 Edgar Street, Heywood - 11:55 AM

These Hands Exhibition

This project is aiming to combat ageism by challenging negative stereotypes and misconceptions about ageing. Central to the initiative are the portraits and stories of Glenelg Shire Seniors, presented through an exhibition.

The event was warmly received, with many participants becoming very emotional and proud to see many of their families and friends in attendance.

Each senior shared personal reflections, highlighting their ongoing commitment to volunteering, caring for others, and contributing to community life.

The These Hands campaign is now featured across Portland, Heywood and Casterton, bringing the stories of local seniors into public spaces being displayed in shopfronts and community venues.

Installation locations include:

  • 97–99 Henty St, Casterton (Cheryl Whyte)
  • 75 Edgar St, Heywood (Ted Taylor)
  • 32 Bentinck St, Portland Library (Cheryl Ford)
  • 90 Percy St, Portland (Norm Perkins)

The positive response to the campaign demonstrates the campaign’s impact in celebrating the value of older residents and strengthening community connections.

The exhibition of images has travelled to Casterton and Heywood during September and will be on display at the Portland Library from 4 October through to 31 October.

Free entry to the Maritime Discovery Centre

All Seniors Card holders will receive free entry to the Maritime Discovery Centre throughout October.

 

For further information on Senior’s Month, and all local event details, visit the Glenelg Libraries and Portland Arts Centre websites or phone Glenelg Libraries on 5522 2265 or the Portland Arts Centre on 5522 2263.

The Glenelg Shire Seniors Month program complements the broader Victorian Seniors Festival, a statewide festival that runs annually from 1 to 31 October. For more information on the celebrations across the State, visit: www.seniorsonline.vic.gov.au/festival

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