Seniors Festival is well underway in Wangaratta, with a vibrant array of community programs, live entertainment, and other events on offer throughout October.

Among them is the city’s Caring and Ageing Well Festival, a free, community event held in partnership with the Rural City of Wangaratta and Open Door Neighbourhood House at the Wangaratta Performing Arts and Convention Centre (WPACC) on 15 October from 10am-1pm.

Coinciding with Victoria’s annual Seniors Festival as well as National Carers Week, seniors and carers are invited to come and learn about the wide variety of services, community groups and initiatives available to them in the North East.

Rural City of Wangaratta's aged and community care services officer Joanne Davey said the festival is a fantastic opportunity for locals to be exposed to what supports are available to them.

"It gives them a chance to come along, meet service providers face-to-face, ask questions, and find out what’s available locally," she said.

"It’s also a great way to recognise the important role carers play in our community.

"We want people to leave feeling informed, appreciated, and part of something bigger."

The festival will host a diverse group of stallholders and exhibitors; ranging from healthcare services to fitness providers to local social clubs, and will also promote local grassroots organisations.

"Local groups like Wangaratta Woodworkers, U3A, and Upper Murray Family Care and many others are fantastic community connections," Ms Davey said.

"By promoting themselves at events like this, we help residents discover what’s available locally, build a stronger sense of community, and highlight the valuable work these groups do every day."

Some of the stallholders and exhibitors that will be featured include:

• My Aged Care.

• Open Door Neighbourhood House.

• Gateway Health.

• Country Care Independent Living Solutions.

• The Centre for Continuing Education Inc.

• Four local Home Care Package providers.

• Care Finder.

• Aged care homes.

• Office of the Public Advocate.

• Elder Rights Advocacy.

• Cycling Without Age.

• Upper Murray Family Care.

• Local fitness studios.

• Vision Australia.

• U3A Wangaratta.

• Wangaratta Woodworkers.

Aside from promoting local organisations, Ms Davey said their ongoing partnership with Open Door Neighbourhood was an asset to the event, being a prominent community centre in the region.

"We’ve partnered with Open Door Neighbourhood House for the past few years as they’re such a trusted part of our community," she said.

"They work closely with people from all walks of life and really understand the needs of older residents and carers.

"It just made sense to team up—this way, we can make the festival more inclusive, more welcoming, and more connected to the people it’s meant to support."

If this event may be of interest to you, more information is available through the Aged and Community Care Services team at contactacc@wangaratta.vic.gov.au or on 1300 982 662.