The month of October is Victorian Seniors Festival, run by Council of the Ageing (COTA) Victoria, and Seniors Rights Victoria.
The festival celebrates older Victorians, recognises their vital contributions to our communities, and connects people with information, services and opportunities that support ageing well.
As the peak body for older Victorians, COTA Victoria and Seniors Rights Victoria work to ensure older people’s voices, experiences, and contributions are visible throughout the festival.
Victorian Seniors Festival activities kick off at Celebration Day at Federation Square on 3 October, and continue with a series of Planning Ahead information sessions in rural communities including Camperdown, Colac, Nhill, Jeparit, Dimboola, Cranbourne, and Shepparton. COTA Victoria and Seniors Rights Victoria will also be taking part in a Women’s Leadership Forum in South Morang, and the Walk for Respect in Colac.
The Seniors Festival also marks the launch the first of many new Listening Post events that will provide our membership base the opportunity to share their experiences, priorities, and ideas for ageing well in Victoria.
Finally, a major highlight of the festival is the 2026 Victorian Senior of the Year Awards program, which includes the COTA Victoria Senior Achiever Awards. For more than 30 years, these awards have recognised older Victorians making a significant contribution to their local communities, honouring many well-deserving individuals again this year.
Together, these activities provide varied opportunities for older Victorians to connect, share experiences, access practical information, and have their voices heard.
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COTA are a member of the Victorian Palliative Care Alliance, a group of 15 non-profit organisations with touch points across palliative care who have come together to support palliative care advocacy, as part of PCV’s Calls to Action for the 2026 State Election, Tomorrow’s Care Starts Today!