The Victorian Seniors Festival is a major state-wide festival for Senior Victorians, which runs right across the month of October every year.
During the Festival, Seniors can find free and low-cost events throughout the state, and Council have just released their own contributing calendar of activities.
The month of special events for Seniors includes free entry to the highly anticipated What the World Needs Now show at Ararat Town Hall, a free bus tour of Ararat with accompanying (and fascinating) historic guide, selected free classes at Ararat Fitness Centre, a painting workshop with Lars Stenberg at Ararat Gallery TAMA, and much more.
See the full schedule of events below, and be sure to make your booking if the event stipulates.
If you have any questions or need help booking events, called Ararat and Grampians Visitor Centre on 1800 657 158, or visit the Visitor Centre in person at 82 Vincent Street Ararat.
Wednesday 2 October
Free concert: What the World Needs Now: Fab Sounds of the Swinging Sixties and Seventies
11am – 12.10pm @ Ararat Town Hall, Barkly St, Ararat
Bookings essential: ararattownhall.com.au
Thursday 3 October
$5 Seniors Day: Raffle, Entertainment and Delicious Afternoon Tea
2pm – 3pm @ Ararat Senior Citizens, Barkly St (next to Ararat Town Hall)
$5 entry, no booking required
Bus transport is available for pick up/drop off
Contact Billie for more information: 0421 470 107
Friday 4 October
The Everly Bros & Buddy Holly Tribute Show
7.30pm - 9.30pm @ Willaura Memorial Hall
Adult $20 Concession $15
Bookings essential: ararattownhall.com.au
Saturday 5 October
Grampians Brass Festival
7pm – 10.30pm @ Ararat Town Hall
Tickets $15
Bookings essential: ararattownhall.com.au
Monday 7 October
Beginners Old Time Dancing
7.30pm - 9.30pm @ Ararat Senior Citizens, Barkly St (next to Ararat Town Hall)
$3 entry, no booking required
Contact Billie for more information: 0421 470 107
Tuesday 8 October
Free entry to Langi Morgala Museum
10am – 3pm @ Langi Morgala Museum, 48 Queen St, Ararat
Free raffle entry included
Booking not required
Wednesday 9 October
Free Ararat Town Tour
10.30am - 2.30pm @ Ararat Railway Station, Birdwood Avenue, Ararat
Enjoy a free bus tour to learn about the fascinating history of Ararat with free time to browse and have lunch!
Bookings essential: www.seniorsonline.vic.gov.au/festival
Thursday 10 October
Free entry to Langi Morgala Museum
10am – 3pm @ Langi Morgala Museum, 48 Queen St, Ararat
Free raffle entry included
Booking not required
Friday 11 October
Springtime Ball
8pm – midnight @ Ararat Senior Citizens, Barkly St
BYO drinks & glasses, sashes, prizes – supper included
$15 per person, bookings essential – contact Billie: 0421 470 107
Saturday 12 October
Free entry to Langi Morgala Museum
1pm – 4pm @ Langi Morgala Museum, 48 Queen St, Ararat
Free raffle entry included
Booking not required
Saturday 12 October
Free entry to Gum San Chinese Heritage Centre
10am – 3pm @ Gum San Chinese Heritage Centre, 31-33 Lambert St, Ararat
Booking not required
Sunday 13 October
Free Concert: Honky Tonk Queens
Join Amber Joy Poulton as she delivers songs that celebrate the first Queens of Country – Patsy Cline, Dolly Parton, Tammy Wynette and Loretta Lynn
2.30pm - 3.30pm @ Ararat Town Hall, Barkly St, Ararat
Bookings essential: ararattownhall.com.au
Monday 14 October
Free event: Breath Practice Meditation
10:30am – 11.30am @ Ararat u3a, Grano St, Ararat
Breath meditation involves consciously and mindfully changing your breathing patterns to improve relaxation.
Booking essential: email [email protected]
Monday 14 October
Free event: Paul “PK” Kelly – On Country
2pm – 3pm @ Ararat Town Hall, Barkly St, Ararat
Join us for an intimate talk from proud Gunditjmara - Kirrae Wurrong man and highly regarded yidaki (didgeridoo) player and cultural performer, Paul “PK” Kelly.
Bookings essential: www.seniorsonline.vic.gov.au/festival
Monday 14 October
Beginners Old Time Dancing
7.30pm - 9.30pm @ Ararat Senior Citizens, Barkly St (next to Ararat Town Hall)
$3 entry, no booking required
Contact Billie for more information: 0421 470 107
Tuesday 15 October
Free Events @ Ararat u3a, Grano St, Ararat
10:30am - 11.30am: Djembe Drumming
The djembe drum is one of the most widely-know African drums. It originally comes from West Africa. The djembe drum has one, large drumhead and is played with bare hands.
1:00pm – 2.30pm: Presentation by Ambulance Victoria on CPR and Defib/AED.
Do you know the latest CPR method and how to use a defibrillator? This session will explain everything you need to know.
Bookings essential: email [email protected]
Wednesday 16 October
Free Events @ Ararat u3a, Grano St, Ararat
10:00am – 12pm: Finska
Finska is the addictive log-tossing game from Finland. It's ancient, ancient game, unique, and seriously addictive! A race to exactly 50 points, where every game is different, Finska requires both strategy and skill to defeat your opponent and claim victory.
1:00pm – 3pm: Craft
Join this group of crafters, who meet to work on their own projects. There's a lot of knowledge in the group, which helps when you run into difficulties!
Bookings essential: email [email protected]
Thursday 17 October
Free Events @ Ararat u3a, Grano St, Ararat
10:00am – 11.15am: Singing
This group watches YouTube clips which supply the music and lyrics.
12:00pm – 12.45pm: Strength and Balance Class
This session helps members with their balance, which is important to help prevent falls. We will perform strength activities with bands and weights.
1:00pm – 2.30pm: Presentation by Brendan Holland - Getting your Affairs in Order: Wills and Power of Attorney
Afternoon tea follows this session.
Booking essential: email [email protected]
Thursday 17 October
$5 Seniors Day: Raffle, Entertainment and Delicious Afternoon Tea
2pm – 3pm @ Ararat Senior Citizens, Barkly St (next to Ararat Town Hall)
$5 entry, no booking required
Bus transport is available for pick up/drop off
Contact Billie for more information: 0421 470 107
Friday 18 October
Free Event @ Ararat u3a, Grano St, Ararat
10:00am – 11:00am: Alexandra Lake Walk
A regular group of walkers meets at Garden Cafe, and after undertaking laps of the lake, follow up with a cuppa and chat.
Bookings essential: email [email protected]
Monday 21 October
Free event: Healthy Eating with Sallyanne Pisk
Learn the secret to changing your eating habits for good without dieting, with qualified dietician and mindfulness practitioner Sallyanne Pisk.
11am @ Ararat Library, corner Barkly & Queen Streets, Ararat
Booking not required
Monday 21 October
Free classes @ Ararat Fitness Centre, 61-73 High St, Ararat
8.45am - Walk n Talk with Rhonda
10.00am - Stretch & Strengthen with Jessie
11.00am - Active Adults with Shirley
6.00pm - Water Aerobics with Rhonda
Booking not required
Monday 21 October
Beginners Old Time Dancing
7.30pm - 9.30pm @ Ararat Senior Citizens, Barkly St (next to Ararat Town Hall)
$3 entry, no booking required
Contact Billie for more information: 0421 470 107
Tuesday 22 October
Free classes @ Ararat Fitness Centre, 61-73 High St, Ararat
6.15am - Spin with Amy
10.00am - Water Aerobics with Rhonda
11.00am - Walk n Talk with Shirley
2.00pm - Water Aerobics with Marianne
Booking not required
Wednesday 23 October
Free movie
2pm @ Ararat Library, cnr Barkly & Queen Streets
Booking not required
Thursday 24 October
Open House @ Uniting AgeWell, 34 View Point St, Ararat
1.30pm - 3.30pm
Enjoy a complimentary Devonshire Tea and learn how you can give back to your community
Booking not required
Thursday 24 October
$5 Seniors Day: Raffle, Entertainment and Delicious Afternoon Tea
2pm – 3pm @ Ararat Senior Citizens, Barkly St (next to Ararat Town Hall)
$5 entry, no booking required
Bus transport is available for pick up/drop off
Contact Billie for more information: 0421 470 107
Friday 25 October
SOS - The Australian ABBA Tribute Show
8pm – 10.15pm @ Ararat Town Hall, Barkly St, Ararat
Prices from $35
Bookings essential: ararattownhall.com.au
Monday 28 October
Beginners Old Time Dancing
7.30pm - 9.30pm @ Ararat Senior Citizens, Barkly St (next to Ararat Town Hall)
$3 entry, no booking required
Contact Billie for more information: 0421 470 107
Thursday 31 October
Free event: Simply Colour Art Workshop with Lars Stenberg
Learn simplified palettes and an approach to painting to make your pictures sing with vibrant, harmonious colour
10.30am - 3.30pm @ Ararat Gallery TAMA, 82 Vincent St, Ararat
Bookings essential: araratgallerytama.com.au
Thursday 31 October
$5 Seniors Day: Raffle, Entertainment and Delicious Afternoon Tea
2pm – 3pm @ Ararat Senior Citizens, Barkly St (next to Ararat Town Hall)
$5 entry, no booking required
Bus transport is available for pick up/drop off
Contact Billie for more information: 0421 470 107
This program is proudly brought to you by Victoria State Government, Victorian Seniors Festival 2024, and Ararat Rural City Council.
