Healthy ageing through activity is the ethos of both Have a Go News and the Seniors Recreation Council of WA.
The synergy between our organisations has a more than 30-year history founded on this ethos with both working to deliver positive ageing outcomes for Western Australians.
Last year we marked the 30th anniversary of Have a Go News and this year Have a Go Day – a Livelighter event marks its 30th anniversary in the grounds of beautiful Burswood Park.
From little things big things grow. The first Have a Go Day in Burswood Park in 1993 attracted about 500 people. Now an average attendance is 15,000.
Have a Go Day is part of our vernacular. We look back on these events with pride as we acknowledge the founders who saw the importance of encouraging older adults to remain active.
Brian French, Vicki Harwood, Alan Tranter, Mary Fraser, Hugh Rogers OAM, Denis Martin, Laura Tolliday and Have a Go News’ co-founder Quentin Smythe set the wheels into motion for a shift in community attitudes to ageing.
Seniors Recreation Council of WA’s executive officer Dawn Yates has steered the day into its current format with her expertise along with current president Phil Paddon.
A huge team of volunteers has contributed and continue to bring the day into focus to encourage older adults to remain connected and active.
This mission to promote healthy ageing through activity remains as it did 30 years ago with Have a Go Day offering a plethora of activities for people to try, clubs to join, entertainment to enjoy and information to source.
Over the years I have seen and continue to see the results firsthand of the many people who have maintained physical activity throughout their later years. (80 is the new 60!)
Following the pandemic years Have a Go Day 2022 offers more activities to have a go at, and this year we see the return of Prime Movers, new activities to try including seated volleyball and walking football along with many others.
Take the opportunity to be adventurous and canoe on the river or traverse the climbing wall.
The very popular Trishaws for Seniors will be on the grounds offering rides around the park.
Minister for Seniors and Ageing Don Punch MLA will officially launch the event at 10.30am. Then the WA Police Pipe Band will lead the Over 55 Walking Association for the annual walk around the park.
For those who want to become savvier with technology, Tech Savvy Seniors will be on hand with information, advice and electronic activities to try. This year NBN offers attendees free WIFI on the grounds and you can visit them at site 62.
Health checks are also available including hearing tests, blood pressure and blood sugar testing.
Have a Go News will be running the hospitality tents which serve free tea, coffee and water in a café style with tables and chairs to stop and relax. The chocolate wheel will be spinning at the main tent every hour with great prizes available.
The entertainment stage sponsored by Ingenia Gardens offers a fabulous line-up including the WA Police Pipe Band, duo Klassworks and Moira J Scott along with a variety of other artists.
There are loads of food and drink outlets on site or bring a picnic and enjoy all that beautiful Burswood Park has to offer.
Age is no barrier to getting out and about and Have a Go Day – a LiveLighter event runs from 9am to 3pm on Wednesday
November 9.
See the Seniors Week Liftout inside for your comprehensive guide to this free event.
