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Celebrating seniors across the ShireThe Victorian Seniors Festival is being celebrated in Bass Coast once again throughout the month of October, with plenty of events being held across the Shire. By Portal Admin - 22nd September 2017 - Back to News Supported by Bass Coast Shire Council, community groups and organisations are hosting over 20 free and low-cost events focussing on seniors throughout the month.
This fantastic annual celebration brings senior members of our community together, and is a great opportunity to come and try a wide variety of events and activities.
There are plenty of events to promote being active, including social tennis in Wonthaggi, a come and try bowls day in Inverloch, the 2017 Seniors Festival of Golf, and a dance at the Dalyston Hall.
If history is more your forte, there are some fantastic events being held including the Phillip Island Museum open day, a historical bus tour of South Dudley and North Wonthaggi, 'tales from the tombstones' a talking tour of Wonthaggi Cemetery, and an introduction to researching your family history at the family history rooms in Cowes.
For those who prefer to sit and socialise, there are also lunches, concerts, performances and presentations on the local program.
Bass Coast Mayor, Cr Pamela Rothfield, said that with a high population of residents aged over 65 in the Shire, it is fantastic to see such a wide variety of events being held for the Festival.
"There are so many great opportunities for our seniors to get out and about, take part in new activities, enjoy a day out with friends and meet new people," Cr Rothfield said.
"The Senior’s Festival is now in its 35 th year and I am thrilled that we continue to participate in this event, and celebrate those who have helped make Bass Coast the diverse and dynamic community it is."
Seniors can also receive free public transport upon presentation of their Victorian Seniors Card in early October, including:
Metropolitan trains, trams and buses for eight days covering the period from Sunday, 8 October to Sunday, 15 October
V/Line services for eight days covering the period from Sunday, 8 October to Sunday, 15 October
Wonthaggi Town Service for eight days covering the period from Sunday, 8 October to Sunday, 15 October
For a full list of activities or more information visit www.basscoast.vic.gov.au/events, or pick up a local program from one of our Customer Services Centres, Visitor Information Centres or local libraries. The state wide festival program featuring over 1,300 events is also available from Coles Supermarkets.
For more information about the Victorian Seniors Festival, including an online calendar of events, visit https://www.seniorsonline.vic.gov.au/.
Plenty of great events on offer during October for the Victorian Seniors Festival.
For more information contact:
Nina Barry-Macaulay
communications officer
t (03) 5671 2163 | f (03) 5671 2222 | m 0400 698 089
e nina.barry-macaulay@basscoast.vic.gov.au
Source: www.gippsland.com Published by: support@gippsland.com
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Bass Coast Shire Council welcomes the Bass Coast Statement of Planning Policy, securing long-term protections for 24 townships, distinctive landscapes, and the Western Port Woodlands while guiding sustainable future growth. - Bass Coast Council awards $1.01M contract to restore Wonthaggi heritage-listed old post office
Bass Coast Shire Council has awarded a $1.01 million contract to TS Constructions to restore Wonthaggi heritage-listed Old Post Office, preserving its historic character and ensuring long-term structural integrity. - Bass Coast Christmas Giving Trees set up to support local families in need this festive season
Bass Coast Shire Council’s Christmas Giving Trees are collecting gifts, gift cards, and food to support local families, with donations accepted at Customer Service Centres until early December. - Skeene Creek Farm launches, driving sustainable agriculture, innovation, and resilience across East Gippsland region
Skeene Creek Farm launches near Bairnsdale, transforming underutilised land into a sustainable agriculture hub, promoting circular economy, innovation, environmental resilience, and practical research for East Gippsland farmers. - Spring flows planned to support native fish migration and river health across West Gippsland
West Gippsland CMA's Environmental Water team is planning Spring river flows to support native fish migration, enhance river health, and balance environmental care with community enjoyment of waterways. - Allan Labor government invests $860,000 to support and strengthen Men's Sheds across Victoria
The Allan Labor government is investing $860,000 to support 31 men's sheds across Victoria, funding upgrades, expansions, and new equipment to strengthen communities and foster connection through shared skills. - Farm fencing grants protect 300 hectares of biodiversity and boost waterway health across West Gippsland
Over 300 hectares of farmland will be fenced through West Gippsland CMA's farm fencing grants, protecting waterways, biodiversity, and livestock while supporting sustainable farming and revegetation across the catchment. - Phillip Island gears up for the return of MotoGP and Marquee October events across Bass Coast
Phillip Island hosts a huge October of events, headlined by the 2025 MotoGP, drawing 100,000 fans for racing, music, and entertainment, with free Community Day tickets and Cowes transformed into an entertainment hub. - Southern Rural Water supports South West Victorian farmers through groundwater access and the 'Farmer Helping Farmer' initiative
A section of the Main Northern Channel near Brewers Hill Road, Maffra, damaged by wombats, has been repaired. Water will return to full capacity, and normal delivery will resume tomorrow. - Latrobe City events drive tourism, economic growth and community engagement across the region
Latrobe City hosted major sporting and cultural events in 2024 - 25, attracting over 27,000 attendees and generating $23.5 million in economic impact, reinforcing the region's growing reputation as an events hub. - West Gippsland CMA champions healthy waterways, culture, community, and sustainability across the catchment
West Gippsland CMA celebrates World Rivers Day by highlighting river health, cultural significance, and restoration efforts. Caring for 40,000km of waterways, they partner with communities to ensure resilient, thriving rivers. - Bass Coast Council leaders advocating events, infrastructure, recreation, coastal protection, public transport, and environmental conservation
Bass Coast Council leaders held 12 Parliament meetings, advocating for events, infrastructure, recreation, coastal protection, public transport, and environmental conservation, seeking government support and funding for key community projects. - East Gippsland Rail Trail upgraded and officially opened, boosting tourism, and local economy across the 96km trail
The final 11.46 km of the East Gippsland Rail Trail is complete, fully resurfaced, and open, boosting tourism, supporting local businesses, and providing a high-quality recreational asset for the community. - Bass Coast Council trials new multilingual coastal safety signage at high-risk beaches to reduce drowning incidents
Bass Coast Council is trialling new multilingual coastal safety signage at high-risk beaches, providing hazard warnings, QR codes, and educational resources to improve visitor safety and reduce drowning incidents. - Bass Coast announces fee-free green waste period to help residents prepare for upcoming fire season
Bass Coast residents can dispose of domestic green waste for free from 1 - 23 November 2025, helping the community prepare properties and reduce fire hazards ahead of the summer season. - Mayor Cr John White reflects on busy September: Sport, community, citizenship, infrastructure, and engagement across East Gippsland
September was a busy, rewarding month for East Gippsland, with community events, sports, citizenship ceremonies, infrastructure projects, policy consultations, and initiatives boosting local tourism and engagement. - East Gippsland unites for 16 Days of Activism, raising awareness and preventing gender-based violence across the community
East Gippsland joins the global 16 Days of Activism campaign, promoting respect, raising awareness of gender-based violence, and hosting community events to foster safety, connection, and inclusion. - Tim Bull encourages Gippsland East communities to apply for Victorian government’s Tiny Towns Fund Grants until 4 February 2026
Tim Bull urges Gippsland East communities to apply for the Tiny Towns Fund, offering $5,000-$50,000 grants to support tourism, liveability, and local projects for towns under 5,000 residents. - Korumburra hosts South Gippsland Garlic Festival 2026 with stalls, cooking demos, entertainment, and garlic-inspired food on 28 February
The South Gippsland Garlic Festival returns to Korumburra on 28 February, featuring almost 100 stalls, garlic-inspired dishes, cooking demos, chef presentations, entertainment, kids’ activities, and Garlic University workshops. - Entries close for Darren Chester's 14th #lovegippsland Calendar showcasing iconic scenes across Gippsland
Entries have closed for Darren Chester's 14th #lovegippsland Calendar, with 344 stunning photos submitted capturing Gippsland's iconic landscapes. Winners will feature in the free 2026 calendar, distributed later this year. - Danny O'Brien visits Gippsland schools honouring Anzac Legacy by planting 100 lone pines across Victoria
Gippsland schools joined the "100 Lone Pines Project," with Danny O’Brien delivering seedlings, connecting students to Gallipoli history and honoring the Anzac legacy through planting descendant pines across Victoria. - Latrobe City Council endorsed applications for the 2026/2027 Black Spot Program, targeting high-risk crash sites across the shire
Latrobe City Council has applied for the 2026/2027 Black Spot Program, proposing safety upgrades at Traralgon, Morwell, and Newborough crash sites. Successful projects will involve community consultation during the design phase. - South Gippsland Eat, Drink Play Festival celebrates local food, drinks, live music, kids' activities, and outdoor fun and other updates
Eat Drink Play Gippsland returns this spring at Leongatha Railway Precinct, showcasing regional food, drink, and live music. With daytime tastings, evening entertainment, and kids' activities, it's a family-friendly celebration of Gippsland. - Celebrate South Gippsland Eat Drink Play Festival and other council updates
Eat Drink Play Gippsland returns to Leongatha's Railway Precinct, celebrating local food, drink, and music with family fun, tastings, live entertainment, and community spirit. Tickets are selling fast - don't miss out! - Darren Chester urges more fuel reduction to protect Victorian communities from bushfires
Darren Chester urged increased fuel reduction on Victorian public land, warning unmanaged forests worsen bushfires, and criticised the native timber industry shutdown while praising volunteers and community resilience. - Latrobe City launches investment campaign showcasing strength, innovation, and opportunities across Gippsland
Latrobe City Council launched an investment campaign showcasing business strength, innovation, and opportunities positioning itself as Gippsland's hub for growth, transformation, and future industries. - Danny O’Brien delivers hundreds of donated nappies to Vinnies, supporting Gippsland families in need across the region
Danny O’Brien has donated hundreds of unused nappies to Vinnies, collected via The Nappy Collective, helping Gippsland families experiencing "nappy stress" and encouraging ongoing community support. - Experience the George Bass Coastal Walk with dramatic cliffs, secluded beaches, scenic views, and coastal adventure
The George Bass Coastal Walk offers dramatic clifftop views, hidden beaches, wildlife sightings, and nearby cafes, pubs, and rail trails, creating a scenic Gippsland adventure just over 1.5 hours from Melbourne. - Council urges transparent, community-focused approach for battery energy storage systems across Baw Baw
Baw Baw Council raises concerns over proposed BESS projects, urging transparency, protection of prime agricultural land, community input, and stronger oversight of sites outside designated renewable energy zones. - Tim Bull slams government’s restrictive, confusing emergency levy exemptions failing CFA volunteers across Gippsland
Tim Bull says the government’s flawed levy exemptions are too complex and restrictive, leaving CFA volunteers frustrated, excluded, and unsupported, and is urging the Minister to simplify the process. - Nationals' $100M Safer Communities Plan targets crime crisis with tough laws and prevention programs across Gippsland
Martin Cameron backed a $100 million Safer Communities Plan, promising tougher laws and prevention programs to tackle Victoria's crime crisis, restore community safety, and support at-risk youth, contrasting Labor's cuts. - East Gippsland Council endorses Coastal and Marine Management Plan to protect treasured coastline sustainably
East Gippsland Shire Council has endorsed the Coastal and Marine Management Plan, providing a coordinated framework to protect and sustainably manage coastal reserves with community, Traditional Owner, and stakeholder input. - East Gippsland expands Whelans Group road maintenance contract, ensuring service continuity and local job retention across shire
East Gippsland Council has expanded Whelans Group’s road maintenance role, taking over areas previously managed by Cranes Asphalting, ensuring service continuity, high standards, and retention of local jobs across the shire. - Peri Urban Councils urge state government to invest in infrastructure and support housing growth across regions
Peri Urban Councils Victoria is urging government investment in infrastructure after a new report recommended 40% of new homes be built in regional Australia, highlighting housing demand, high costs, and infrastructure pressures. - Rokeby to Noojee $4M trail upgrade officially opens, enhancing accessibility, safety, and visitor experience across region
A $4 million upgrade of the Rokeby to Noojee Trail has officially opened, delivering improved surfaces, facilities, signage and lookouts, with $3 million Victorian government funding and strong community contributions celebrated. - Cycling Without Age Gippsland delights Wilson Lodge residents and 98-year-old Joyce, boosting wellbeing and community connection for older people
Cycling Without Age Gippsland celebrated its oldest passenger, 98-year-old Joyce Grimer, and welcomed Wilson Lodge residents, providing free trishaw rides that promote wellbeing, social connection, and community engagement for older Australians. - Latrobe City invites community to celebrate International Rose Garden Festival Morwell with lights, music and fun on 7-8 November 2025
Latrobe City Council invites everyone to the free International Rose Garden Festival Morwell, 7-8 November 2025, featuring night lights, live music, workshops, market stalls, performers, and over 4,000 blooming roses. - Cape Paterson Traffic Plan adopted to improve safety through community-driven road and pedestrian upgrades
Bass Coast Shire Council has adopted the Cape Paterson Traffic Management Plan, developed with strong community input to improve safety through speed reductions, traffic calming, better intersections, and pedestrian-cyclist connectivity. - Union Theatre Wonthaggi HVAC upgrade begins, ensuring comfort, reliability, and long-term operation for the community
Bass Coast Shire Council is upgrading Wonthaggi’s Union Theatre HVAC system, ensuring comfort, reliability, and future-proofing the historic venue, with works valued at $899,000 and expected completion by 20 March 2026. - Have Your Say on Wonthaggi structure plan review aiming to guide growth, community needs and opportunities
Bass Coast Shire Council is reviewing the Wonthaggi Structure Plan. Have your say on the town's growth, housing, jobs, heritage, and future opportunities to help shape Wonthaggi as Bass Coast regional hub.
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