Victorian Seniors Festival: What's On in Moorabool

2023 Seniors Festival logo

Victorian Seniors Festival 2023 - Learn, Love, Live

The major statewide festival for Victorians over 60, the Victorian Seniors Festival focuses on providing fun and good times, with opportunities to participate in events and activities for free or low cost throughout October each year.

Check out this year's program of Victorian Seniors Festival events happening in Moorabool!

Events & activities:

Mondays in October:

Free Come & Try Seniors Exercise/Strength & Conditioning Classes. Special offer: 50% discount for 10-session class passes for anyone who joins during October (max. two sets of passes). Valid for 12 months.  

When: Mondays in October, 10.30am 
Venue: Bacchus Marsh Leisure Centre, 5/15 Labilliere St, Maddingley (BM Secondary College gym)
Enquiries and to book: Contact David Carnovale on 5366 7100 or info@moorabool.vic.gov.au 
Cost: Free


Fridays in October

Free Come & Try Aerobics Exercise Class. Special offer: 50% discount for 10-session class passes for anyone who joins during October (max. two sets of passes). Valid for 12 months.

When: Fridays in October, 10.30am
Venue: Bacchus Marsh Leisure Centre, 5/15 Labilliere St, Maddingley (BM Secondary College gym)
Enquiries and to book: Contact David Carnovale on 
5366 7100 or info@moorabool.vic.gov.au

Cost: Free


Every Friday from 6 October: Self-Care Haven

This program aims at bringing the members of the community together to experience the benefits of self-care and how it could bring a positive change in our life. It enables us to understand how self-care plays a crucial role in coping with day-to-day challenges as we share and talk about mindful strategies. The program is a combination of different activities, wherein we learn to incorporate activities into our lives that are fun and/or make us feel competent.   Activities include Hand Massage, Guided Meditation, Deep Breathing, Aroma Therapy, Laughter Yoga, Expressing Appreciation. We will witness how an hour to ourselves could calm us in different ways and appreciate our well-being. We aim at creating a safe environment that increases awareness of tension in the body and improves awareness of the difference between tension and relaxation.

Planned, organised and conducted by the mecwacare Social Worker

When: Every Friday from 6 October, 12-1pm
Venue: Ballan Community House, 76 Steiglitz Street, Ballan
Enquiries and to book: to book contact Ballan Library on 0419 519 650

Cost: Free


Family History Help - Book a librarian 1 on 1 - during the whole month

Interested in starting your Family History journey or need support in your research?

When: appointments available throughout October
Venue: Lerderderg Library Bacchus Marsh
Enquiries and to book: Contact Sophie at the library to make your appointment. Call 53667100 select option #5

Cost: Free


Seniors Digital Literacy Help - Book a librarian 1 on 1 - during the whole month

Learn the skills you need to live in a society where communication and access to information is increasingly through digital technologies like internet platforms, social media, and mobile devices i.e. Learn how to use your mobile phone/tablet/laptop more effectively 

When: appointments available throughout October
Venue: Lerderderg Library Bacchus Marsh and Ballan Library
Enquiries and to book: Contact Kristie at the Library to make your appointment. Call 53667100 select option #5

Cost: Free


Intergenerational Story times

Moorabool Libraries is inviting grandparents and some nursing homes to join in story time sessions for all ages. Come along and share the love of books and reading.

When: Wednesday 11 October 10am: Rhyme Time and 
            Saturday 14 October at 10am: Aussie Bird Count Storytime
Venue: Ballan Library, Ballan
Enquiries and to book: no bookings required

When: Tuesday 3 October 10am: Rhyme Time  
            Thursday 12 October 10am 'Storytime Thursday’
            Saturday 21 October at 10am
Venue: Lerderderg Library, Bacchus Marsh
Enquiries and to book: no bookings required

Cost: Free


Johnny Cash Country Concert

Come along to the Johnny Cash Country concert during Seniors Festival. Coach transport provided, bookings essential.

When: Wednesday 4 October, 10.30am (doors open 10.15am)
Venue: Melton Community Hall, 238 High St Melton.
Enquiries and to book: Register with Aged and Disability Community Liaison Officer 5366 7100 or info@moorabool.vic.gov.au 
Cost: $5 per head


Moorabool Shire Seniors Expo

Come and learn who’s who in Moorabool Shire: Aged Care Service Providers, volunteer opportunities, social clubs, groups. Seniors looking to connect. No bookings required.

Date: Thursday 5 October, 10.30am-1:30pm
Venue: Bacchus Marsh Public Hall 
Enquiries: contact the Aged and Disability Community Liaison Officer 5366 7100 or info@moorabool.vic.gov.au
Cost: Free


BacchChat

Our threatened native grasslands. Presented by Bacchus Marsh Trench Reserve Committee and Associate Professor John Morgan, Plant Ecologist.

Date: Saturday 7 October, 10am-12pm
Venue: Lerderderg Library, Bacchus Marsh
Enquiries: BacchChat: Our threatened native grasslands | Moorabool Shire Council

Cost: Free


Line dancing come and try

Seniors Line Dancing class members will demonstrate the health and social benefits of regular exercise through dance. Learn from a master who has over 30 years line dance teaching experience. Bookings essential - wear comfortable shoes and clothes. Light refreshments provided.

Date: Wednesday 11 October, 10.30am-12.30pm
Venue: Bacchus Marsh Hall, 207 Main Street Bacchus Marsh
Enquiries and to book: Register with Aged and Disability Community Liaison Officer 5366 7100 or info@moorabool.vic.gov.au
Cost: Free 


Bacchus Marsh Probus Trivia Quiz and lunch

Come along for the best fun and prizes. Trivia with a difference, lunch provided. Bacchus Marsh Probus Trivia Quizzame event. You MUST register to be granted entry by using the link below.

Date: Monday 16 October, 10am-2pm
Venue: Bacchus Marsh Bowls Club, Lord Street Bacchus Marsh
Enquiries: contact the Quizzame Coordinator on 0434 965 954 or email bacchusmarshprobus@gmail.com

To register: Click here to register to attend
Cost: Free


Come and try relaxation

Want to improve your health, sleep, concentration & lower your stress? This session will offer several relaxation techniques that are useful tools you can use anytime, anywhere, to help you regain control. Wear comfortable clothes.

Dates: Wednesday 18 October and Wednesday 25 October, 1-2pm
Venue: Ballan Community House, 76 Steiglitz Street, Ballan 
Bookings and enquiries: contact the Aged and Disability Community Liaison Officer 5366 7100 or info@moorabool.vic.gov.au
Cost: Free


Singalong and Dance Concert

Come and enjoy hits from the 1930s, 1940s and early 1950s with DJ Rockabilly Karellyn from Apple 98.5 FM. Seated event with space to dance. Light refreshments available, or book a Devonshire Tea in Supper room next door. Bookings essential.

Date: Thursday 19 October, 11am-4pm
Venue: Bacchus Marsh Town Hall, 207 Main Street Bacchus Marsh
Enquiries: Register with Aged and Disability Community Liaison Officer 5366 7100 or info@moorabool.vic.gov.au
Cost: Free 


Free Devonshire Tea

Throughout the day over three sittings, the Country Women’s Association (CWA) Bacchus Marsh Branch will serve Moorabool Seniors their scrumptious scones, with jam & cream and a cuppa. Pop in next door for the free Seniors Singalong and Dance concert. Bookings essential

Date: Thursday 19 October
Sittings: 10am - 11am; 11.30am - 12.30pm; or 1.30pm - 2.30pm
Venue:Bacchus Marsh Town Hall, 207 Main Street Bacchus Marsh

Enquiries and to book: contact karin.wilsonexchange@gmail.com or Aged and Disability Community Liaison Officer 5366 7100 or info@moorabool.vic.gov.au


Movies in the Marsh

Senior friendly movies

  • Friday 6 October: 10am -12noon -- Calamity Jane
  • Friday 13 October: 10am -12noon – Shawshank Redemption
  • Friday 20 October: 10am-12noon – Sister Act
  • Friday 27 October: 10am-12noon – The Castle 

Details: Movies in the Marsh


Information sessions

A series of free seniors information sessions are being run - see below for session details.

Protecting your rights

Guest Speaker Gary Ferguson, Seniors' Rights Victoria.
In Australia, 1 in 6 people over 65 years of age will experience elder abuse within their family, in any 12 months. There are ways you can take steps to prevent elder abuse occurring and protect your rights in the future. In this interactive session, Seniors' Rights Victoria will discuss the different types of elder abuse, risks, how to plan ahead so your choices are respected and where to seek support and assistance when abuse occurs.

When: Monday 9 October, 10.30-11.30am
Where: James Young Room, Lerderderg Library, 215 Main Street Bacchus Marsh
Cost: free
Enquiries and to book:  Register with Aged and Disability Community Liaison Officer 5366 7100 or info@moorabool.vic.gov.au


Money, Ageing & Family

Guest Speaker Gary Ferguson, Seniors' Rights Victoria.
As people age, they might consider moving in with family for care and support. It’s important to think about these living arrangements before they are put in place. The Money, Ageing and Family session looks at some of the issues to think about when an older person’s living arrangement is about to change. The session will also explain Enduring Powers of Attorney (Financial and Personal). A free booklet “Money, Ageing and Family” is provided to participants.

When: Monday 16 October, 10.30-11.30am
Where: James Young Room, Lerderderg Library, 215 Main Street Bacchus Marsh
Cost: free
Enquiries and to book: Register with Aged and Disability Community Liaison Officer 5366 7100 or info@moorabool.vic.gov.au


Planning Ahead

Gary Ferguson, Seniors Rights Victoria.
Life presents many different circumstances. As people age it’s important to ensure that they have planned to cover future circumstances. The free Planning Ahead session presents information in a simple and interactive way on Supportive Attorney, Medical Decision Making and Advanced Care Directives. During the session, participants have the opportunity to identify their preferred choices for an Advanced Care Directive and consider who might be the most suitable person to appoint as an Attorney or Medical Decision Maker. The 'Take Control' booklet will be available at the session as well as other printed resources.

When: Monday 23 October, 10.30-11.30am
Where: James Young Room, Lerderderg Library, 215 Main Street Bacchus Marsh
Cost: free
Enquiries and to book: Register with Aged and Disability Community Liaison Officer 5366 7100 or info@moorabool.vic.gov.au


Services Australia (AKA Centrelink) Seniors’ information sessions - Aged Pension advice.

Come and chat face to face with an experienced Financial Information Services Officer from Services Australia. No bookings required.

  • Tuesday 3 October, 11am-12pm - Ballan Community House, 76 Steiglitz Street Ballan
  • Tuesday 10 October, 11am-12pm - Lerderderg Library, Main Street, Bacchus Marsh
  • Wednesday 18 October, 11am-12pm - Ballan Community House, 76 Steiglitz Street Ballan
  • Thursday 26 October, 11am-12pm - Lerderderg Library, Main Street, Bacchus Marsh

Contact us:

By phone: Moorabool Shire Council Aged & Disability Community Liaison Officer on (03) 5366 7100

Online: www.seniorsonline.vic.gov.au/festival to find out more. 

When

  • Sunday, 01 October 2023 | 12:00 AM - Tuesday, 31 October 2023 | 11:59 PM