The Department of Seniors, Disability Services and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island Partnerships says October is Queensland Seniors Month, celebrating the lives of older people.
Minister for Seniors, Craig Crawford said the month’s activities included Ballet for Seniors workshops.
“This event goes to the heart of what Seniors Month is all about,” Mr Crawford said.
“Dance encourages healthy and active living and positive social engagement for Queenslanders of all ages,’’ he said.
Older ballerinas, Christine Bell (64, pictured right) and Vicki Wilson (66, pictured left) said seniors ballet was purely for fun as they danced with Lily Spencer from the Queensland Ballet.
“Ballet gives you balance, it exercises the mind and it’s good for the heart and soul,” Mrs Wilson said.
Mrs Bell said ballet made her feel fitter, more supple and more flexible.
“Nobody judges anybody, it’s also very social,’’ Mrs Bell said.
Seniors Month celebrates the theme Social Connections and ends on 31 October with Grandparents Day.
Mr Crawford said during the month-long celebration people of all ages, cultures and abilities were encouraged to connect with the older people in their lives.
“Kicking off the celebrations in 2021 will be screenings of the B.OLD short films, which were created to challenge negative perceptions of ageing and to spark conversations in communities across Queensland about how we can make our State more age-friendly,” he said.
“These 10 short documentary films showcase Queensland seniors living their lives to the full and feature entertainers and advocates, athletes and artists making extraordinary contributions in communities around the State,” Mr Crawford said.
