Two hundred to compete in elder Olympics

Fourteen teams and over 200 eager competitors from around the region will descend on Sir Neville Howse Stadium next Thursday 9 March for the 2017 Central West Elders Olympics.

The 4th annual event hosted by Orange City Council is being held once again during National Seniors Festival.

Orange City Council’s Services Committee chair, Cr Ron Gander said the theme of this year’s event, ‘Let’s Do More Together’, is a great banner to bring seniors together from across our region to learn, socialise and play.

“The Elders Olympics brings together Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Elders from across the traditional Wiradjuri country to enjoy a range of modified sporting activities and traditional Indigenous games,” Cr Ron Gander said. “With teams coming to Orange from Parkes, Bathurst, Forbes, Cowra, Condobolin and Dubbo to participate in this year’s Elders Olympics consider it’s a great opportunity to get together, socialise and have some fun, but also to talk about the real issues of health, aged, and disability care within our communities.”

The games are designed for competitors over 50 years of age and ifeature age and disability-inclusive events from modified volleyball to traditional games like blanket ball. Students from Orange High School and Canobolas Rural Technology High will be running the activities on the day and working with the elders to make sure everything runs smoothly.

FUN & GAMES : Organisers of the Elders Olympics are getting ready for the event (l. to r.) Jordon Moore, Alice Williams, Julie Armstrong and Daphne Monagan

The event is proudly supported by Orange Local Aboriginal Land Council, Orange Aboriginal Medical Service, Orange PCYC, Australian Hearing, Birrang Enterprise Development Company and information stalls will be on-show from local service providers on the day.

The 2017 Central West Elders Olympics will be held on Thursday 9 March 2017 at Sir Neville Howse Stadium (PCYC), 2-10 Seymour Street, Orange from 10:00 am – 3:00 pm. All community members are welcome to watch the event for free.

For further details contact Orange City Council’s Central West Aboriginal Community Engagement Officer, Mr Jordon Moore, Mobile 0427 293 753