Be Inspired!
The annual Victorian Seniors Festival will this year commence on Sunday 2 October 2011 at Melbourne’s Federation Square, setting the scene for a week of more than 1,000 events to celebrate older Victorians.
Aged & Community Care Victoria (ACCV) and its members understand first-hand that older people have wishes and dreams too, and so to celebrate the 2011 Victorian Seniors Festival, ACCV and leading Victorian aged care providers have joined together to encourage everyone to 
and achieve their dreams, no matter their age. Age well. It's your choice.
The 2011 Victorian Seniors Festival
The 30th Victorian Seniors Festival is a high-profile government-managed event that runs from 2–9 October. The festival features more than 1,000 free and low-cost events and activities for seniors across Victoria ranging from concerts and fine arts to bushwalking and golf.
Opening day at Federation Square on Sunday 2 October 2011 provided an array of activities for all seniors to enjoy. The day will featured more than 150 activities as well as entertainment from some of the best musicians and dance groups in Melbourne.
Be Inspired! in 2011
Following the success of the Be Inspired! campaign launch at the Senior's Festival opening day in 2010, the team returned in 2011 to show that there's no time to be old when you're living life in the fast lane!
Based on the theme, Age well. It's your choice., older people from 12 aged and community care organisations throughout Victoria had the ride of their lives in a V8 car, touring the Grand Prix circuit in Albert Park before arriving to Federation Square to opening day of the 2011 Victorian Seniors Festival having had one of their dreams finally come true.
The Be Inspired! stand at Federation Square hosted a race car driving simulator challenge, with two prizes of a V8 race car Hot Lap at Sandown given away for the fastest lap times. Even Ageing Minister David Davis had a turn!
Click here to read the full Media Release on this year's event, featuring our star of the campaign, 97 year old Mim Egan
Click here to read the full Media Release on our campaign 'celebrity', 73 year old Hot Rod racing champion Ray Welsh
Click below to view media coverage of the
Be Inspired! 2011 event:
Be Inspired in your facility
The Be Inspired! campaign was created to encourage everyone to fulfil a lifelong desire or dream and Be Inspired! to enjoy life, while also promoting a positive image of ageing. Aged and community care residents and clients from all over the state are a testament to this, proving daily that ageing is no barrier to continuing to live life to the fullest.
Whether it be a dream to ride in a V8 car, to go hot air ballooning, to meet a favourite sporting hero or to find long lost relatives – everyone has a dream! So get involved and help the older people in your organisation to be inspired during the Victorian Seniors Festival!
Step 1: Click here to download a wish card. Simply print and encourage your older people to be inspired and tell you their dreams.
Step 2: Grant those wishes you are able and make dreams become a reality.
Step 3: Get your local media involved. Show your local community how your facility’s residents and clients are inspired during the Victorian Seniors Festival.
More inspiration...
For a guide to applying a 'wish granting' scheme in your organisation, click here to view an example prepared by leading aged and community care provider, Benetas.
More information and examples on how the campaign has been conducted in participating organisations is available in the below presentations, given by members of the Be Inspired! campaign development team:
For more help with contacting your local media or to launch the Be Inspired! concept in your organisation, contact ACCV’s Communications Coordinator Melina Walton.
The Great Housing Debate
As part of the Victorian Seniors Festival, aged care provider Benetas, in conjunction with the Lord Mayor's Charitable Foundation, will also hold The Great Housing Debate on Thursday 6 October from 11.00am at Melbourne Town Hall. Join us at this special event which encourages Victorians of all ages to discuss the topic that 'affordable housing is a right'.
Click here for more information and to book your free ticket to attend.
this Victorian Seniors Festival!
Be Inspired is an initiative of: