Newcastle Embraces Seniors with Tech Talks and Community Celebrations

newy.com.au – Newcastle’s seniors are set to connect across generations, with high school students leading a special tech workshop at Newcastle Museum next week as part of the NSW Seniors Festival. The intergenerational “lunch and learn” session aims to boost digital confidence among older residents, helping them navigate their devices with ease.

This initiative is just one of 50 events being delivered by the City of Newcastle and local community groups during the festival, which runs from 3 to 16 March 2025. Under the theme “Time to Shine”, the program features a diverse mix of activities designed to foster connection, inclusion, and lifelong learning.

Chair of the Community and Culture Strategic Advisory Committee, Councillor Jenny Barrie, highlighted Newcastle’s commitment to creating an inclusive celebration that honours the knowledge and experience of seniors.

“From accessible fitness activities like chair yoga to hands-on woodworking and garden tool repair workshops, there’s a wide variety of ways for seniors to engage, connect, and discover new interests,” Cr Barrie said.

The festival will kick off with the Seniors Festival Expo on 4 March at McDonald Jones Stadium, featuring live music, interactive demonstrations, and 50 exhibitors showcasing services and opportunities for older residents.

Adding to the celebrations, the Hamilton clocktower building on Beaumont Street has been temporarily transformed into Shine Central by Hunter Ageing Alliance. This vibrant hub will serve as an information and event space, hosting a series of seniors-friendly activities throughout the festival.

Other program highlights include art talks by Newcastle Art Gallery staff, a dementia-friendly reminiscence session at Newcastle Museum featuring a performance by The Unforgettables Choir, and a variety of community sessions at Newcastle Libraries. Workshops will cover lantern-making, fall prevention, stroke awareness, and expert-led discussions from Hearing Australia.

Curated by the City of Newcastle alongside the Newcastle Seniors Reference Group, the festival provides a platform for seniors to engage with their community, explore new opportunities, and celebrate their contributions. For the full event program, visit the City of Newcastle’s website.