Victorian Seniors Festival 2025 — Riverine Herald

HEALTHY AGEING Festival

THURSDAY

23 OCTOBER

RADCLIFFE’S ECHUCA VISIT ECHUCA REGIONAL HEALTH FACEBOOK PAGE FOR DETAILS 

Across Campaspe, seniors and their families are invited to enjoy a month of free and low-cost events ranging from music and dance to workshops, talks and social gatherings.

These events are designed to celebrate the contributions of older community members, encourage lifelong learning, and foster meaningful connections.

Victorian Minister for Ageing Ingrid Stitt encouraged seniors to get involved.

Echuca Neighbourhood House

“With support from the Victorian Government, this year’s Seniors Festival will feature more than 3000 events — from Celebration Day at Federation Square on October 5 to the Victorian Senior of the Year Awards on October 22,” she said.

“We encourage all Victorians to get involved in this year’s Seniors Festival — check the online calendar on the government website or pick up a program guide at your local Coles or post office.

“The Victorian Government

is proud to deliver the annual Seniors Festival — a monthlong celebration of the remarkable contributions older Victorians make to our state.”

• There are a lot of events on offer, which you can find via seniorsonline.vic.gov.au/ festival-calendar

Victorian Minister for Ageing Ingrid Stitt

Celebrating healthy ageing with vibrant festival

The Echuca Moama Healthy Ageing Festival 2025 is a vibrant, inclusive event designed to celebrate and support older residents across the Campaspe and Murray River regions.

This free event, led by Echuca Regional Health, in partnership with Intereach, Echuca Neighbourhood House, Njernda, Campaspe Shire Council, Murray River Council, Yorta Yorta Nation Aboriginal Corporation and many other local Aged Care and community service providers, will take place on Thursday, 23 October 2025 at Radcliffe’s Function Centre, Echuca.

The free community festival will provide a welcoming space for older adults to connect,

celebrate and access valuable information and services that support healthy ageing and living well.

Activities will include live presentations, interactive workshops, gentle physical movement, such as Tai Chi and chair

yoga, and a wide range of information stalls hosted by local aged care services, My Aged Care representatives, carer support organisations, advocacy and community groups.

A key goal of the festival is to reduce social isolation and promote wellness among older people in the region.

The event will offer opportunities for participants to learn about support services available, nutrition, exercise, mental wellbeing, falls prevention and how to stay connected with their community.

Importantly, the festival aligns with the principles of the new Aged Care Act, which places greater emphasis on

the rights of older people, including choice, control, dignity and respect.

The event will help raise awareness of the rights and empower attendees to make informed decisions about their care and wellbeing. Through engagement with services and supports, seniors will be encouraged to actively participate in shaping their own ageing experience.

Aligned with the Victorian Seniors Festival’s focus on inclusion, celebration and empowerment of older Victorians, the event reflects our commitment to ensuring that seniors feel valued, informed and

supported.

By encouraging participation, engagement, and fun, the festival will shine a light on the importance of staying active, socially connected and informed throughout the ageing journey.

The festival will also strengthen collaboration between regional service providers, build community resilience and raise awareness of the many local services that can support seniors to live well and independently at home.

Echuca Moama Healthy Ageing Festival will be held on Thursday, October 23 from 10am to 3.30pm at Radcliffe’s Function Centre, 6-10 Radcliffe St, Echuca.

It’s time to recline in style

By Jaci Hicken

S & J Furniture, a cornerstone of the Echuca-Moama community for 27 years, continues to deliver quality Australian-made and imported furniture as a valued member of the Homemakers buying group.

S & J Furniture is home to the region’s La-Z-Boy Gallery outlet, offering the globally renowned recliner action furniture.

Owner-operator Karl Bauer highlights the store’s extensive seating collection.

“We’ve got manual and electric recliners, and lift chairs,” Mr Bauer said.

“We’re seeing a real rise in the market for lift chairs because they certainly make life easier.”

The store specialises in lift chairs equipped with powered lifting mechanisms that help users rise to a standing position.

“The size of the chair has to suit the size of the person. It is our number one priority from a comfort point of view,” Mr Bauer said.

“We can suggest which chair best suits you, depending on your size and height.”

La-Z-Boy recliners offer

numerous health benefits, including improved posture and support, which helps alleviate pain and joint discomfort, reduces stress and muscle tension, enhances blood flow and circulation, promotes increased mobility and independence, and improves sleep quality.

When looking for the La-Z-Boy recliners to suit your health and comfort needs, there are a few things to keep in mind:

• La-Z-Boy recliners come in a range of sizes, from petite to tall and for various body weights.

• You should be

supported and snug, with minimal space between you and the chair’s sides. Your back should be fully supported, with the lumbar area cradled comfortably.

• Easy adjustments with smooth reclining mechanisms, with the touch of a button in power

recliners, and easy-toreach levers.

• Your lower legs should be fully supported when the footrest is extended.

Custom-made furniture is a speciality for S&J Furniture.

“We have an endless amount of furniture options available to us and an endless range of different styles, shapes, coverings and finishes available,” Mr Bauer said.

“A wide range of quality imported, Australian-made and La-Z-Boy lounge room furniture is available.”

Customers can find S & J Furniture at 79-85 Ogilvie Ave, Echuca.

The store welcomes visitors Monday to Friday from 9am to 5.30pm, and Saturdays from 9am to 3pm.

For inquiries, phone 5480 7912 or visit sjfurnitureechuca.com.au

Call in to experience the quality and comfort, and to find the right chair for you.

Scam alert: act fast, stay safe

By Jaci Hicken

Council on the Ageing Victoria is calling on older Australians to take immediate action and reach out if they believe they’ve been scammed, noting that swift responses typically yield better results.

COTA Victoria engagement and education manager Frankie Freeman explains the organisation’s vital role through the Ask COTA phone line and community education programs.

“My role is primarily to make sure older people in Victoria have access to the information that they need as they age,” she said.

“Older people are not the only victims of scams, but unfortunately, scammers do target older people disproportionately,” Mrs Freeman said.

“One of the things that I say when I try and get people to think about how they respond to scams is the earlier you tell someone or you take action, the better the outcome is going

to be for you.”

Mrs Freeman highlights key warning signs people should recognise, including unexpected communications, deals that appear unrealistic and pressure to act quickly.

“The reason why scammers are generally successful is because they try and get people to act straight away and not think things through,” she said.

“It will often be time pressure of, ‘You don’t have to contact your son or daughter about this deal, because this deal will end in the next hour, if you don’t act now.’

“One of the things we talk about is urgency, because most of the time, if people have some time to think about an opportunity, then they can go back and think, ‘Yes, this does sound too good to be true.’”

Mrs Freeman noted that if your bank, a utility company or the ATO rang you with an urgent request, you could hang up and ring them back

using the contact details you would typically use.

She did not think any Australian institution would mind if you did that, as it helped them protect against scams.

Unusual payment requests, such as gift cards, cryptocurrency, or weird payment methods for the circumstance, should trigger caution.

Mrs Freeman suggested implementing multi-factor authentication and keeping separate email accounts for financial dealings and general subscriptions.

There are various support channels that scam victims can access for help, including:

• The ScamWatch website is an Australian Government website that provides a platform for reporting scams, preventing scams and understanding what scams are around, scamwatch.gov.au

• IDCARE delivers specialised assistance for those affected by identity theft and cybercrime, idcare.org

• The Ask COTA line provides

guidance and facilitates community education sessions about scam prevention, cotavic.org.au/our-programs/ wise-services or phone Ask COTA on 1300 135 090

“Anyone can unfortunately fall prey to scams, it is not intelligence-based, it is not any particular demographic base,” Mrs Freeman said.

“If you are a victim of a scam, don’t let the stigma prevent you from acting, responding to the scam, because the sooner you act, the better the outcome you are going to get.”

COTA runs free community information sessions and talks on preventing scams, the protective factors and ways to recognise scams, and the types of scams that are out there.

If you know of a seniors’ community group or club that would benefit from a free community information session, bookings can be made through COTA Victoria, cotavic.org.au or by phoning the Ask COTA line on 1300 135 090.

Council on the Aged Victoria engagement and education manager Frankie Freeman explains the organisation’s vital role through the Ask COTA phone line and community education programs about scams targeting older residents.

Seniors are so often our saviours says Walsh

The Nationals Member for Murray Plains, Peter Walsh, says our seniors are a community asset which would be impossible to replace.

Mr Walsh says while too many people focus on health and age challenges there’s needs to be more awareness – and recognition – of the value of seniors in so many aspects of daily life in regional Victoria.

For example, he says, they are the core of so many of our volunteer organisations – and that’s just seniors in a structured role.

“Think of all the seniors also delivering childminding services for families and friends, as well as doing school picks ups and drop offs,” Mr Walsh says.

“And where would a lot of parents be in school holiday times without grandparents to pick up the shortfall for weeks at a time,” he says.

“But it extends way beyond that – I attend a lot of community events, and it is the seniors providing essentials such as the Lions barbecue, or manning ticket booths at sportsgrounds and helping with setup and knockdown of events.

“At the same time, for many employers looking for part time or casual staff, seniors make the perfect employees because they always turn up for work, they have a lot of life experience, and they are great with customers.”

Mr Walsh says seniors provide the drivers for irreplaceable services such as community transport, often fill the ranks in organisations such as neighbourhood houses and are marvellous mentors in things such as school reading programs, supporting teachers and improving literacy skills for the children.

He says when he hears the word senior, he often aligns it with the word success.

“Our seniors have already done the hard yards, lived long and full lives and been great contributors to their communities, and now as retirees not many of them simply opt to sit down and put their feet u, they simply get back in the game and do whatever they can to lend a hand,” Mr Walsh added.

“It seems to me we can never have enough seniors, because without them so many things would not be doing anywhere near as well – so I say thank you to all of them.”

The gift of restored sight

As we mark Seniors Health Month, it is worth reflecting on one of the most common yet often underestimated conditions affecting older Australians: cataracts.

While we may joke about “getting older” and eyesight not being what it once was, for many seniors, cataracts represent more than blurred vision — they represent an increasing struggle with independence, safety and quality of life.

Cataracts occur when the normally clear lens of the eye becomes cloudy, causing vision to blur, colours to fade and bright lights to glare.

For some, it feels as though they are looking through a foggy window or murky river water.

This gradual decline can make simple joys — like reading a newspaper, recognising a grandchild’s smile, or enjoying a favourite hobby — frustrating or even impossible.

and effective procedure that can restore vision dramatically, improving colours, sharpness and confidence.

Driving, particularly at night, becomes uncomfortable and the risk of falls increases.

The impact of cataracts is deeply personal.

Seniors often describe feelings of frustration, isolation and helplessness as their world becomes less clear.

Tasks that once provided independence — cooking, shopping, gardening — become reliant on others. It is a sobering reminder that eye health is central to

overall wellbeing.

Yet, there is good news. Cataract surgery remains one of the safest and most effective procedures in modern medicine.

A relatively quick, day-surgery operation can restore vision dramatically, often within hours or days.

For many seniors, the experience is life-changing: colours return vividly, text sharpens, and with it, confidence and independence are restored.

While there is no promise that you won’t need any glasses post-surgery, the new lens inserted has been selected for you with the aim of correcting as much of your existing prescription as possible.

Despite this, many people delay treatment, assuming poor vision is just “part of ageing”.

Cataracts are a common condition affecting older Australians, causing blurred vision and impacting independence and quality of life.

health system.

Education, therefore, is vital.

Seniors and their families should feel empowered to raise concerns with their local optometrist, knowing that help is available and effective.

involved surrounding cataract assessment, surgeries and available funding options.

Equally important is regular eye testing.

Cataracts can develop quickly or slowly, and early detection allows for timely intervention before quality of life is affected.

Community awareness campaigns — like those spotlighted during Seniors Health Month — play a crucial role in encouraging people not to ignore changes in their vision.

With public health systems not yet recovered post-pandemic, it is important to monitor cataracts from early stages of development to make informed decisions about intervention.

joy in later life. By recognising the signs, seeking help early, and embracing the benefits of modern treatment, seniors can look forward to years filled with colour, clarity and confidence.

This Seniors Health Month, let us shine a light on cataracts — not as an inevitable decline, but as a treatable condition where hope and clarity are firmly within reach.

And if you or someone you love has noticed changes in vision, now is the time to act.

Horsfalls Optometrists, your trusted local eye care team, have been caring for our community for generations.

Others worry about the risks or costs, unaware that cataract surgery is accessible through the public

It is normal to feel apprehensive about any surgical procedure, and we are here to help educate and inform our patients about the benefits, risks, and processes

Cataracts remind us of a simple truth: sight is precious.

The ability to see clearly underpins so much of our independence, safety, and

FOCUSED VISION CARE FOR SENIORS

At Horsfalls Optometrists we offer comprehensive eye exams tailored specifically for those aged 65 and above.

Conditions like age-related macular degeneration, cataracts and glaucoma are becoming increasingly common in our practice.

WE TAILOR OUR EYE EXAMS FOR SENIORS

Using revolutionary data from Rodenstock’s DNEye® Scanner alongside our significant existing technology, we can assess your eye health changes over time, intervene earlier as needed, and provide more precise and targeted management plans than ever before.

To book your comprehensive eye exam with one of our highly qualified optometrists, please call us or book online at your convenience.

Want thorough Eyecare?

Book an appointment today and take the first step toward clearer sight and renewed independence. You can call our friendly team on (03) 5482 1975 or visit horsfalls.com.au for online bookings.

We get to know your eyes in a 45 minute exam

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Personal care builds bonds

Dani’s personal care support helps Jean regain independence and trust, creating both daily ease and a meaningful companionship.

VMCH community support assistant Dani Craig is like family to clients Alan and Jean.

The trio has formed a strong bond since Dani began helping Jean, 87, with personal care around the home.

Jean, a keen line dancer, likes to keep fit and healthy.

However, a slip on the train a few years back saw her suffer a serious shoulder injury, which has affected her ability to manage many everyday tasks.

Dani’s support, as part of Jean’s Home Care Package with VMCH, has allowed Jean to continue to do the things she loves.

This includes spending time with her husband of

15 years, Alan, who also has a HCP with VMCH.

“Dani is very, very caring and goes out of her way to help us with things that maybe nobody else would do, like filling in forms or helping with my iPad,” Jean said.

Dani believes the personal support she provides to Jean has helped build their relationship.

“When you do personal care, it’s vulnerable, and Jean had never had help

Local

before she did her shoulder,” Dani said.

“So, going from no help to then having someone literally help you get undressed, wash your hair, you need to have that trust there.”

Jean agrees.

“It was a little confronting at first because I was very independent. But I know I can ask Dani anything and she’ll help me,” she said.

Dani admits CSA work isn’t for everyone, but it’s perfect for her.

“You don’t do this job for the money; you need to want to be here,” Dani said.

“I love that I feel like I make a difference. I know when I leave that Jean and Alan are happy, they’ve got everything they need and can relax for a bit. I treat my clients as I’d like my own family treated.”

Jean and Alan said they certainly felt the love from Dani.

“We look forward to her coming. I said to Alan, we’d get better looked after here (in Australia) than if we were still in the UK. It’s wonderful,” Jean said.

If you’d like to learn more about home care with VMCH, joining or transferring your Home Care Package to VMCH, or have any questions about the upcoming Support at Home program, call 1300 698 624 or drop in to see the friendly team at VMCH Shop 2, 226 Pakenham St, Echuca.

Enhancing comfort, mobility

By Jaci Hicken

Sleep Doctor Mobility Doctor in Echuca helps locals balance comfort and mobility needs through its comprehensive product range and services.

Sleep Doctor Mobility

Doctor owner Shane Mills stressed the importance of choosing the right mattress.

“A good bed and mattress are essential because you sleep longer and sleep better, more comfortably,” he said.

“It certainly makes a huge difference to your health if you can sleep better.”

Mr Mills advocates for in-store mattress selection.

“You can pop in and we can trial a few beds and find the right one for you,” he said.

“It is difficult to sell a mattress over the phone, you need to be in here so we can explain a few differences between a budget mattress and a top-end one.”

The store recommends mattress replacement every eight to 10 years.

“Some people tend to get 15 years out of them, but by the time they are 15 years old, you certainly should have changed,” Mr Mills said.

The business has

diversified to include mobility solutions for its customers.

“We are the Sleep Doctor Mobility Doctor, as we expanded to help customers with mobility,” Mr Mills said.

“We aim to make you feel comfortable in your

own home for as long as possible.”

Their range includes adjustable beds, lift chairs, wheelchairs, walkers, toilet aids and electric scooters.

The business showcases beds combining hospital functionality with homestyle aesthetics.

As a registered NDIS provider, the store provides delivery, installation and removal services for its products, including mobility solutions such as adjustable beds, lift chairs and electric scooters.

Based at 212 Darling St, Echuca, the business provides delivery, installation and removal services across the town and surrounding region.

As a registered NDIS provider, it delivers professionally, including package removal and product installation.

The store maintains an on-site workshop for electric scooter servicing.

“We do offer the choice of coming to your home and picking up the scooter, servicing it for a couple of hours, then returning it to you,” Mr Mills said. Customers can contact the store via phone 5482 4550 or email echuca@sleepdoctor.com.au for product inquiries. Everything Sleep Doctor Mobility Doctor can help you with can be found at sleepdoctorechuca. com.au

Uniting and enjoying life

Bruce and Sandra McCleod are doing what they’ve always done.

Thoroughly enjoying life.

The regional Victorian couple are busy and happy, as Sandra holds cake decorating lessons in between doing flower arranging and whipping up her famous jams, preserves and chutney.

Bruce teaches bonsai classes from the shed in their beautiful garden, which also has a fernery with 125 miniature trees he has cultivated and sells.

Now he’s started the Bonsai Friendship Group, with regular get-togethers in the shed.

“People ask me what I do in my spare time and I tell them I don’t have any,” he says with a laugh.

Bruce, 80, and Sandra, 79, are certainly proving that enjoying life is key to ageing well.

“We’re both constantly meeting new people,

making friends and doing what we love,” the grandfather said.

“I always look for the good in things — even during bad times.”

Neither drives, but Bruce has a mobility scooter.

They’ve both navigated health issues.

“They keep on patching me up, but I’m a persistent old bugger, I’m not going anywhere,” Bruce said.

“I reckon I’ve got another 10 years at least!”

Meanwhile, Sandra is now well after a lengthy battle with leukaemia.

“I thought to myself ‘there’s no way this is going to beat me. I’ve got cakes to bake and a whole lot of living to do!’”

Sandra and Bruce continue to live up to the theme of Victorian Seniors Month: ‘Connect. Create. Celebrate.’

They say that living at home is integral to their

This is possible thanks to the services they receive through their government-funded home care packages through Uniting AgeWell.

Whether you’ve got a green thumb like Bruce or prefer eating cakes

Need support at home? We can help.

Uniting AgeWell is your trusted local provider of the new Support at Home program (which replaces Home Care Packages from 1 November 2025) and in-home and community services to keep you living safely and independently at home.

Our friendly and experienced team can help connect you to the services you need.

Drop-in to the Echuca Moama Healthy Ageing Festival or give us a call about:

› Accessing aged care services for the first time and unsure of the process

› Looking for a Support at Home provider and would like further information

› The home and community services we have available

rather than baking them, receiving home care services certainly makes a difference in enabling older people to live well and safely at home for longer. Uniting AgeWell director of regional Victoria home care Meagan Thomas totally understands

how people never want to leave their homes in this beautiful corner of Victoria, where the Murray River and the gum trees are part of the magic of everyday life.

“We serve older people living across the vast Shire of Campaspe,”

Meagan said.

“It doesn’t matter whether they live in cities, towns or on small-holdings or farms — we’re there for them. In their home, enabling them to live the lives they want.”

As part of the Victorian Seniors Festival, Uniting AgeWell has a stall at the Echuca Moama Healthy Ageing Festival from 9am to 3.30pm on Thursday, October 23 at 5/10 Radcliffe St, Echuca.

Friendly staff will be on hand to chat to people and provide information to take away.

Visit the stall to learn more about Uniting AgeWell’s services in the area and how the team can support you or your loved ones in ageing well.

▯ The Echuca team is based at Shop 2/188 Annesley St. To find out more about home support services, visit unitingagewell.org

More people hearing better

Life is full of sounds worth hearing — children laughing, birds in the garden, the conversation at a café.

But hearing loss can slowly take those moments away.

Country Hearing Care Echuca helps locals reconnect with life through expert hearing care and technology.

For more than 20 years, Country Hearing Care has been supporting families across regional Victoria and NSW.

Independent and local, our Echuca clinic offers a full range of hearing solutions tailored to each person’s needs.

The mission is simple: More people hearing better.

Comprehensive care, close to home

From hearing assessments to wax removal, hearing aids, cochlear implants, and assistive devices, the Echuca clinic provides

Country Care Hearing Echuca has been providing expert hearing care and technology to help locals reconnect with life.

complete hearing care under one roof.

Appointments are flexible, unrushed, and focused on ensuring each person leaves feeling more connected to the world around them.

Choice and technology that fits you

Being independent means clients aren’t limited to one brand or solution.

The Echuca team

matches hearing devices to individual lifestyles, whether discreet aids, powerful devices, or wireless technology that connects directly to phones, TVs and streaming devices.

Everyday moments, big difference

The difference a hearing check can make is immediate. Hearing the laughter of grandchildren, catching a joke at the table, enjoying

More People Hearing Better

At Country Hearing Care our vision is to positively impact the wellbeing of our community by helping more people to hear better. Whether that's through our best practice clinical care for ears of all ages, the latest in hearing device technology or meaningful community engagement and education. We're setting the standard for innovative and trusted hearing care, countrywide. BALLARAT |

music again, these are the everyday moments that Country Hearing Care helps restore.

The focus is always on practical solutions that make life richer.

Take the first step

Located in the heart of Echuca, the clinic offers convenient appointments, expert care, and access to government rebates and private health insurance options.

It’s never been easier to take control of your hearing health and start experiencing the sounds you’ve been missing.

Reconnect with life and your community. More people in Echuca are hearing better — and you can too.

▯ Country Hearing Care — More People Hearing Better, is located at 83a Nish St, Echuca.

▯ For appointments, phone 1800 432 748

Discover Weary’s legacy

By Jaci Hicken

Peter FitzSimons will unveil his latest work, The Courageous Life of Weary Dunlop, at Echuca library on Saturday, November 1 at 7pm, presented by Collins Booksellers, Echuca.

Mr FitzSimons has chronicled the extraordinary tale of the Australian doctor who became a symbol of hope for thousands of prisoners of war on the Thai-Burma Railway during World War II.

“My publishers asked me 15 years ago to write about Weary Dunlop and I resisted it because I found the story very complex to get into,” Mr FitzSimons said.

“But as I say in the book’s dedication, the publisher who asked me to do it was right and I was wrong.

“It is an amazing story, and he was a fantastic man.”

The book traces Dunlop’s path from rural Victoria, where he began as a pharmacist before pursuing medicine.

Like Mr FitzSimons, Dunlop was also a Wallaby, though with notably less experience.

“The 16th match of rugby he ever played was for the Wallabies. He was a natural,” Mr FitzSimons said.

When World War II erupted in September 1939, Dunlop was practising as a surgeon in

London.

He enlisted in the Australian Army Medical Corps and served across Palestine, Greece, Crete, Egypt and Tobruk before Japanese forces captured him in Java.

“It is fascinating when

you go back into the diary accounts, the letters and the contemporary reports of what Weary did. He was like a modern-day saint,” Mr FitzSimons said.

“They absolutely loved him, and they loved him after the war, they still came back to Weary, as Weary will fix it.”

One of the most compelling stories, as recounted by Tom Uren in his maiden speech to federal parliament, illustrates Dunlop’s leadership philosophy that saved countless lives.

“In essence, what he said is, ‘We were Australians, we shared food equally. The officers will get exactly the same treatment as the men, we will all look after each other the way that Australians do,’” Mr FitzSimons said.

“And with that the survival rate was

phenomenally high despite the conditions.”

Mr FitzSimons, whose previous works include Kokoda, Ned Kelly and Gallipoli , regards this book among his finest achievements.

“Of the war books I have done, this is the one that I am proudest of, because I am hoping to have done my best, to bring to light a semi-forgotten episode in our history,” he said.

Echuca library author talk, featuring Peter FitzSimons, is a free event, but bookings are required.

Information can be found and bookings made on the Campaspe Libraries website, or by phoning Collins Booksellers, Echuca, on 03 5482 2902

Copies of The Courageous Life of Weary Dunlop by Peter FitzSimons will be available for sale courtesy of Collins Booksellers, Echuca.

October

As an independent, owner-operated hearing clinic, we pride ourselves on providing personalised care you can trust.

Our focus is simple:

• Quality care tailored to you – every appointment is about your needs, not sales targets.

• Exceptional customer service – we take the time to listen, support, and guide you.

• Local and independent – no corporate chains, just a dedicated local team looking after our community.

This Seniors Week, we celebrate the value of experience, wisdom, and community spirit – and we’re here to ensure your hearing health helps you enjoy every moment.

Call Echuca Moama Hearing today to book your appointment.

344 High Street, Echuca VIC 3564

‘Oh, what a night’ for concert

By Jaci Hicken

Campaspe Shire Council warmly invites all senior community members to a special trip down memory lane at the annual 2025 Seniors Concert.

This year, the free concert will be the Australian Frank Valli & the Four Seasons vs The Beach Boys show at the Tongala Hall on Wednesday, October 29 from 10am to 2pm.

This musical tribute show, celebrating the iconic hits of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons alongside the Beach Boys, has delighted audiences for the past 15 years throughout Australia.

Musical director and guitarist Alex Kyle explains how the concept naturally evolved.

“We were doing a show that had a lot of Beach Boys songs in it, and a lot of other songs from the ’60s,” he said.

“Then Jersey Boys took off, and we thought it would be fascinating to do a versus thing.”

For Kyle, the connection to the music is personal, stretching back to his childhood.

“The first concert I went to was actually the Beach Boys at the Myer Music Bowl when I was about 10 years old, in 1978,” he said.

“I’ve always loved harmony, so I was always a Beatles fan and a Frankie Valli fan and all that ’60s music, which has such fantastic layers of harmony.”

Over time, the show has been refined to focus on high-energy numbers that encourage audience participation.

“We tried throwing in a few ballads over the

years, but people really just wanted to dance,” Kyle said.

“So now we mainly do the upbeat Beach Boys music.”

The setlist features beloved hits including December 1963 (Oh What a Night), Sherry, and Big Girls Don’t Cry from the

Four Seasons’ repertoire.

“With the Beach Boys, it is pretty much all of the songs that everyone knows,” Kyle said.

“The songs are just so happy and sunshiny, so be prepared for a few surprises and dancing.”

While this event is free for seniors, bookings are

essential for catering purposes and are now open via TryBooking at trybooking.com/DFAAE until Sunday, October 19. If you need help with the booking process, please call Campaspe Shire Council on 1300 666 535 or visit any Campaspe Shire Council service centre.

Contact us to book a tour or learn more about our services!

98 Punt Rd, Barham NSW 2732 03 5453 2080 • mhh.org.au

Experience Moama RSL magic

By Jaci Hicken

The Neil Diamond Story is coming to Moama RSL on Saturday, December 6 featuring a two-course dinner and a premium entertainment experience.

Melbourne vocalist Jason Taylor, whose uncanny resemblance to Neil Diamond’s voice is striking, leads the performance alongside the 10-piece Hot August Night Showband, featuring some of Melbourne’s most accomplished musicians.

The show is enriched by backing vocalists Caroline Hawke and Tracy Two Hucker Rainer, who deliver powerful harmonies.

Jason’s affinity for Diamond’s music began in his early years.

“Neil Diamond and Elvis were my father’s two main go-tos,” he said.

“I recall growing up with my Dad putting it

on, that’s where learning these songs began.”

The performance showcases contemporary interpretations of Diamond’s beloved hits.

“Neil Diamond remade many familiar songs from that original Hot August Night album in his later years,” Jason said.

“We tend to do the later versions of the songs with a little extra kick to them.”

Diamond’s influence on Australian music culture was profound, with Hot August Night in one out of every four homes throughout Australia back in the ’70s.

The album was at number one in the charts for 29 weeks in a row, beating albums like Michael Jackson’s Dream and Fleetwood Mac.

The dinner service begins at 6pm, with the three-hour show starting at 7.30pm.

Tickets are $85 per person, which includes a two-course dinner. This all-ages show is expected to sell out quickly.

To book for The Neil Diamond Story , contact the Moama RSL reception.

Seniors meals at Moama RSL

Moama RSL’s Suvla Bay Bistro has launched special meal deals for seniors, offering affordable dining options Monday to Friday for lunch and dinner service, excluding Wednesday evenings.

The seniors’ menu offers excellent value, with a single course priced at $17.50, or diners can opt for two courses at $21.90.

The kitchen serves up modern Australian fare, featuring traditional favourites and daily chef’s specials made from fresh ingredients.

Moama RSL seniors meals are designed to satisfy, with generous portions, friendly service, and a relaxed dining space, making every visit something to look forward to.

For added convenience, the club operates a courtesy bus service

for members and guests, which can be arranged through the front desk.

To access these dining specials, patrons must present a valid Seniors Card, and these offers cannot be used alongside other promotions.

For bookings and inquiries, contact Moama RSL

SATURDAY 6th DECEMBER 2025

Doors Open at 5.00pm Mains Served at 6.30pm Show Starts at 7.00pm

Transform your smile

By Jaci Hicken

Signature Denture Studio

dental prosthetist Nicholas Greer has been crafting smiles across the region for over seven years, operating clinics in Moama, Deniliquin and Cohuna.

“You get to create something and then see it in the patient, which is the part I really enjoy,” Mr Greer said.

“On my side of the dental fence, creating dentures, we can continually update people’s smiles for the rest of their lives.”

The studio creates partial and full dentures for patients who have lost some or all of their natural teeth.

Mr Greer’s clientele predominantly spans ages 60 to 90, including several centenarians.

Utilising state-of-theart digital technology, Mr Greer crafts precise mouth replicas to design and manufacture dentures.

The studio offers various options for partial dentures, including acrylic,

flexible and chrome/cobalt (metal) varieties.

“My preferred material is the chrome/cobalt; it is

great for the mouth, it fits incredibly well, it is about a third of the thickness and a lot stronger than

the other dentures on the market,” Mr Greer said.

“We try to utilise chrome/cobalt wherever

we can with partial dentures because they are a lot better for the patient’s mouth.”

The studio takes pride in creating dentures that look natural and complement individual features.

“It is about designing a denture to make it look natural in line with the patient’s features,” Mr Greer said.

“We go above and beyond to make sure that it doesn’t look artificial and replicates what nature intended.”

Referral from a dentist is not required to visit Signature Denture Studio, including for new dentures, relines and same day repairs.

Immediate denture services for patients needing tooth removal require a dentist referral.

For appointments or inquiries, contact Nicholas Greer at Signature Denture Studio on 0418 383 990.

Live the life you choose

Echuca-Moama is a great place to grow older.

From local festivals and events to social and sporting clubs, shops and restaurants, the region provides plenty of opportunities to be active and involved.

Whether you see ageing as a number, a milestone, or a lifestyle, having the support you need to remain independent and connected in your community is essential.

Intereach is your local, aged care provider of choice, ready and able to support you as your needs change and evolve.

We are proud to be a part of the local community.

Unlike some providers who operate from a distance, Intereach has a visible presence in Echuca, with an office in Hare St and local people delivering personalised, in-home care that supports older people to live the life they choose.

For Echuca participant

Intereach offers a range of services including personal care, domestic assistance and social support activities tailored to individual needs, like CSW Jess helping client Wendy with her shopping.

Sheena, it is the genuine care that Intereach provides that she appreciates more than anything.

“From the first time I met Raquel, one of my community support workers, nothing has been too much trouble for her,” Sheena said.

“She is so helpful and kind, always with a smile on her face. She takes an interest in me, and always asks how I’m doing and

if there’s anything I need. Living on my own, I can’t do everything myself, and Raquel’s help around the house is invaluable.”

For Wendy, the ability to maintain her independence was paramount when choosing her aged care provider.

“The support I receive from my CSWs at Intereach, like Jess, is just fantastic. I get help with my shopping,

Community support worker Raquel with aged care participant Sheena, who appreciates the genuine care and support provided by Intereach’s community support workers. Photos: Contributed

which keeps me independent and able to live in my own home for as long as possible, which is very important to me,” she said. Intereach is here to help you live the life you choose, at ‘Your Place, Your Pace’. Our services can take many forms depending on your needs. We provide:

• Personal care

• Domestic assistance

• Garden maintenance

• Transport services

• Allied health and therapy services

• Home modifications and maintenance

• Social support activities

• Clinical care

• Assistive technology and equipment

As Echuca faces a growing demand for aged care services, Intereach’s local, personal and respectful approach is proving

popular.

It’s not just about care. It’s about dignity, independence and the comfort of knowing support is close at hand.

We are part of the local community and understand what it means to remain connected and involved in the activities and events that matter to you. We’re here to help.

Do you have questions about aged care, want to remain independent at home or are you looking to stay connected in your community?

Catch up with our caring and knowledgeable aged care team at the Echuca-Moama Healthy Ageing Festival on Thursday, October 23, at Radcliffe’s Echuca.

▯ For those considering their options, Intereach is located at 203-205 Hare St, Echuca, on 1300 488 226, or via intereach.com.au/agedcare

Simply Helping in Echuca

Our family-run team is here to provide personalised, flexible home care that helps people live well, stay safe and feel supported in the comfort of their own homes.

Whether you’re an older resident, an NDIS participant, or someone who simply values a little extra help at home, we’re ready to walk beside you every step of the way.

At Simply Helping Goulburn Valley, care isn’t just about services — it’s about people.

We already support many wonderful individuals and families across Broadford, Nagambie, Kyabram, Bundalong, Shepparton, Eildon and everywhere in between, and now we’re proud to extend our care into Echuca.

With the new Support at Home program starting November 1, many changes are happening in aged care.

These changes can feel overwhelming, but that’s where we come in.

We’ve dedicated time and care to understand the new system so we can guide Echuca residents through the process and make it as simple and stress-free as possible.

Our promise is simple: to treat every person with empathy, respect and dignity.

We make sure you have real choice and control in your care, that your privacy is protected and that you always feel safe and supported.

Behind the scenes, we’re incredibly proud of our care team.

Our support workers and domestic assistants not only complete all the essential training, but also have access to extra learning through our E-learning platform.

The feedback we receive is heartwarming — service

users often tell us how much they value the kindness, respect and genuine care our staff bring into their homes.

What makes us unique is that Simply Helping Goulburn Valley is a true family business.

Jo and her daughters, Leah and Jenna, combine their skills and passion to provide the best possible care for clients and strong support for staff.

Jo brings over 26 years of healthcare experience, including 18 years in the local private hospital.

Leah has a strong background in executive administration, and Jenna is a registered nurse with experience in both home care and acute care.

Together, they ensure that every client feels cared for like family. Now, we’re thrilled to extend this care to Echuca — and we can’t wait to meet you.

Leanne and Julie, our case managers, are caring, supportive and dedicated to helping clients achieve their goals.

Stevie, our receptionist and rostering co-ordinator, is always ready with a smile to ensure services run smoothly and fit your lifestyle needs.

She also works as a support worker, bringing an extra layer of

2023 and NDIS in April 2024, achieving full compliance in all areas, with no recommendations for improvement.

We’re very proud of this result, and even more proud that the auditors praised the feedback they received directly from our service users and employees.

Most importantly, we’re here to listen to you and support you on your journey — no matter what stage you’re at.

understanding and care.

Our main office is located on the main street of Euroa, but we’re always happy to come to you — or welcome you in for a chat whenever it suits.

You can feel safe knowing that we deliver a high standard of care in line with both NDIS and Aged Care Standards.

In fact, we were audited by Aged Care in October

You can reach us at gvenquiry@simplyhelping.com. au, phone (03) 5795 1635 or at 59 Binney Street, Euroa. Looking to work in aged care or disability support?

If you hold a relevant qualification, we’d love to hear from you! Please send your resume to: gvhr@simplyhelping.com.au

▯ Find out more on our website, simplyhelping. com.au/goulburn-valley-victoria/

Connecting is best medicine

The Harvard Study of Adult Development has followed hundreds of lives over eight decades and landed on a down-to-earth truth communities outside the city have always known: strong, caring relationships are the key to good health and quality of life.

Good mates, good neighbours and the comfort of a friendly cuppa lower stress, sharpen the mind and even lengthen our years.

Research spanning almost a century echoes the same message: the surest path to a richer, healthier life isn’t walked alone.

It’s forged in everyday moments of connection — sharing a joke at the shops or enjoying the reassurance of a loved one beside you.

Science is clear: we flourish together.

That spirit of togetherness is at the heart of Country Care Echuca, part of a national network of specialised care retailers with a local, personalised approach.

Whether in our showroom

or in our private consultation rooms, we’re here to help you stay connected to what matters most.

Our Echuca team listens to your needs, guiding you to

mobility and healthcare solutions that empower independence and everyday living.

Our showrooms stock a wide variety of mobility equipment — motorised scooters, wheelchairs,

walkers — and homecare products, including lift chairs, medical beds and daily living aids.

You can trial products, learn about features and have one of our trained team demonstrate

correct and safe use.

We also offer private consultation rooms, service and repair centres, and delivery options to get your equipment to you safely and efficiently.

From new purchases to equipment hire or service, our qualified technicians provide assembly, personalised modifications, general maintenance and safety checks to ensure everything works as it should.

We’re authorised to accept DVA, NDIS, Geat2GO, TAC, SWEP, WORKSAFE, FEROS CARE, and My Aged Care referrals, helping you navigate the support you need.

At Country Care Echuca, it’s never just about equipment — it’s about keeping you close to family, friends and the everyday moments that make life in our community so good for the heart.

Pop in to our store at Shop 1/106 Northern Hwy, Echuca, or call 5482 1422.

Let’s help you stay moving towards what and who matters most.