Benalla Rural City Council is currently seeking local centenarians to come forward and take part in an initiative that celebrates life after 100.
Benalla centenarians and those approaching the milestone age of 100 are invited to share their experiences and memories going back to the 20th Century.
Mayor Danny Claridge said the project had already attracted a nonagenarian (a 99-year-old man who turns 100 next March), and three centenarians aged over 100.
“Our centenarians are a great reminder about the treasure trove of history and memories that these people embody, and we want to capture these stories and share them with our wider community,” Cr Claridge said.
The project will then showcase and celebrate the lives and stories of Benalla centenarians with a photographic exhibition at the Visitor Information Centre, in October, as part of this year’s Seniors Festival.
Cr Claridge said the centenarian project is part of an ongoing effort to give a more complete picture of the people, activities and achievements that created the community we know today.
“Older residents in our community have extraordinary stories to tell,” he said.
“Centenarians have lived through world wars, seen the dawn of the space age, the fall of the Berlin Wall, witnessed the introduction of electricity, and numerous other technological advancements.
“Celebrating our centenarians is an initiative of council's Age Friendly Benalla team, who have developed the Age Friendly Benalla Strategy Action Plan to support seniors’ independence, good health and wellbeing.”
To find out more about services, activities and events tailored to older people in the community, visit benalla.vic.gov.au/seniors or the Age Well in Benalla Info Hub, open every second Wednesday, at the Benalla Seniors and Community Centre.
If you would like to nominate a person approaching 100 or a centenarian, please contact council on council@benalla.vic.gov.au/ or phone (03) 5760 2600.
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