WA Seniors Week 2020 kicks off

Seniors Week 2020 has kicked off in WA, with a range of activities and events to celebrate the contributions of older people to the state.

The COVID-19 pandemic will see the week take a different form to previous years, with events spread over a longer period, to help maintain social distancing and ensure the safety of seniors who attend.

“For Western Australia, 2020 has been a year like few others and for the State’s seniors, connections to their communities are now more important than ever,” said Seniors and Ageing and Volunteering Minister, Mick Murray.

“We want to encourage seniors to stay safe, enjoy the events on offer and feel valued and acknowledged for their contributions that continue to enrich our communities and our lives,” he said.

The Department of Communities has provided $50,000 in grant funding to support seven community organisations to host Seniors Week events throughout the month of November.  

The Seniors Recreation Council’s ‘Have a Go Day’ – a favourite feature of Seniors Week – will be held on Wednesday, (November 11) at Burswood Park, and this year will also honour Remembrance Day with the Victoria Park-South Perth and Districts RSL. 

“Seniors Week may look slightly different this year, but it is still a great opportunity to re-establish connections that may have been lost: to see new things, meet new people and make new friends,” said Minister Murray.

“Over 19% of Western Australia’s population is aged over 60. It is predicted that by 2026, 20.9% of WA’s total population will be aged 60 years and over.

Transperth is providing free public transport all day long between November 8-15 for all Seniors SmartRider holders. Seniors SmartRiders are issued to all Western Australian Seniors Card holders. 

Full details of Seniors Week activities can be found on the Council of the Ageing Western Australia website here.