Torquay community members attended a community luncheon this week to celebrate Positive Ageing Month and witness the signing of the EveryAGE Counts Pledge.
More than 50 people attended the event held at Torquay Senior Citizens Centre on October 10.
The event featured Surf Coast Shire Mayor Liz Pattison signing the EveryAGE Counts Pledge on behalf of the council to help tackle ageism.
“The Torquay community luncheon is an opportunity to bring a variety of community members together to celebrate Positive Ageing Month and Mental Health Week,” Mayor Pattison said.
“Our goal is an age-friendly community where ageing people are valued, respected and actively supported to participate in their community.
“This aligns with the Every Age Counts campaign, which aims to shift social norms and positively influence the way that Australia thinks about ageing and older people.”
Mayor Pattison said council gained membership with the World Health Organisation’s Global Network of Age Friendly and Communities to make the Surf Coast Shire a positive place to grow old.
“Social connection is vital for our mental health and wellbeing,” she said.
“We know people live their best lives when they are connected to others and have purpose. We’re also striving to increase options for people to age well in place, so they can continue to live in the community they’ve called home for years.”
The luncheon had guest talks from Torquay Community House coordinator and Art of the Minds Festival’s Lin McCarter, who shared insights on World Mental Health Day.
Torquay Men’s Shed Singers performed with Surf Coast Secondary Students serving lunch, which Feed Me Surf Coast catered.
