The Seniors Festival yoga on Monday morning at the Parkes Uniting Church meeting rooms was the first activity to kick off the week-long festivities and events in town this week.

Prior to the first yoga session, Neighbourhood Central’s Jenny Short took a moment to welcome attendees and, with the assistance of Neighbourhood Central’s executive officer Pam Symonds and Parkes Shire councillor Pat Smith, the Seniors Festival in Parkes was officially opened.

The yoga class was run by Monica Lea.

“It’s all about having a go and trying things you haven’t tried before,” Jenny said.

Traditionally, Jenny said, Seniors Festival activities are on the quieter and softer side during the week.

“But we were looking for something different to encourage the younger members of the demographic,” she said.

And what a response they’ve had – not only from seniors living in Parkes but also those from around the shire.

Monday morning’s yoga session was booked out, as is their second session on Wednesday.

Monday afternoon’s posy making class was booked out and so is Friday’s belly dancing workshops.

And Tuesday’s creative writing activity is almost booked out.

Jenny also said they have a busload of people from Rosedurnate Aged Care Facility who will be joining them on their trip to the Parkes Aviation Museum at the Parkes Airport on Thursday.

“It’s great,” Jenny said.

“We’ve had a busload come from Trundle today (Monday),” she said during the yoga class.

“And there are people here from Tullamore.

“It shows that this is not only for people living in town but it’s for everyone in the shire.”

There is also a ‘learn to play bridge’ event on Tuesday, with the majority of the Seniors Festival events all taking place at Neighbourhood Central on the corner of Currajong and Bushman streets.

And what makes this year’s festival truly a Parkes community event, is – Jenny said – the many facilitators running the activities are local people.

The newly-formed Parkes Community Choir will be adding to the atmosphere. 

Members of the choir will be making an appearance and a performance at Neighbourhood Central’s community lunch on Wednesday, which is usually held monthly.

Pam said Neighbourhood Central has been organising the Seniors Festival every year for more than 20 years.

“And each year we apply for [government] funding and we’re successful through the department,” she said.

Pam thanked Jenny for all her work, who applied for the funding and helped to put the week’s program together.

Cr Smith was thrilled to launch the Seniors Festival.

“It’s pleasing to see so many nice faces...and so many people from out of town,” she said.

“Seniors are really the most important part of our community.

“The Seniors Festival is so important.

“It gets you out, it gets you social, it gets you active.”

The NSW Seniors Festival for 2019 takes place between Wednesday, February 13 and Sunday, February 24.

Parkes is hosting its Seniors Festival events from Monday, February 18 to Friday, February 22.