Celebrate with “Movies and Munchies”

Two free movies with morning tea and luncheon included should make the 2024 Buloke Seniors Festival on Wednesday, October 23 a sure-fire winner. 

Organised by The Rex Theatre, Charlton, with partnership from the Buloke Neighbourhood Houses and Resource Centres, 2024 promises to deliver an experience which captures the Festival theme of “Explore. Engage. Evolve”.

Rex Theatre Manager, Hayden McKinnon, said this year’s event marks an opportunity for Buloke’s older residents to feel welcomed and appreciated with an event which provides fun, food and fellowship and where the process of engagement is aimed to be as inclusive as possible.

“We recognise that not everyone has a computer or is online” said Hayden, “and we wanted to ensure that everyone is included and has an opportunity to attend this event. So with the help of our Neighbourhood Houses, people can ring or drop in and get their tickets booked with a minimum of fuss. Of course, for those online it’s as easy as going to the booking link: https://events.humanitix.com/buloke-seniors-festival and following the prompts from there.”

The event, which is entitled “Movies and Munchies”, begins with morning tea at The Rex at 10:30 a.m., with the first movie “Thelma” (M 100mins) screening at 11 a.m.. Lunch follows at 1 p.m., with the second movie, “An American in Paris” (G 98mins) screening at 2 p.m..

Options
Patrons have three options to choose from: an All Day Ticket, covering the two films, morning- tea and lunch; Morning Ticket, covering morning tea, “Thelma” and lunch; or an Afternoon Ticket, covering lunch and “An American in Paris”.

The bookings are for catering purposes and need to be finalised by Friday, October 18.  

“This day provides an opportunity to acknowledge our older residents,” said Hayden, “and encourages them to get together; maybe with a group of friends, or to just have a day out without having to weigh up the costs.

“The State Government funding has allowed us to create an event which boosts connection and which, in some small way, enables us to say ‘thank you’ for the contributions you have made and which you continue to make across our many local communities.

“I would also like to thank the Neighbourhood Houses and Resource Centres for their willingness to come on board with the practicalities of promoting the event and assisting with the bookings. These community centres are best placed to help out as their community knowledge and outreach is invaluable.” 

Opportunity
“Working with The Rex on the Victorian Seniors Festival had created a perfect opportunity to encourage senior community members to come together,” said the Manager of the Birchip Neighbourhood House, Simone Christie.

“Our Neighbourhood House works hard at opening up people’s interpersonal networks and breaking down social isolation through community participation and inclusion, and with this event they can enjoy and engage in a fun activity with their neighbours.

“As our populations decline, this is becoming more important than ever before, so by encouraging partnerships between the five neighbourhood houses in Buloke, along with Community Organisations like The Rex Theatre, this helps our community members to make new friends, share time with others, and feel a deeper sense of connection to the wider Buloke region.”

The two films scheduled for the Festival should have broad appeal to patrons, with “Thelma” (released only this year) being selected as part of the ACMI (Australian Centre for Moving Image) Seniors Film Festival in Melbourne and “An American in Paris” (1951), revered as one of Hollywood’s all-time classics, featuring the renowned dancing skills of the great Gene Kelly.

While organised transportation is not included in this event, car-pooling or lift-sharing could be considered, with family, friends and carers welcome. 

The Rex has all-abilities access for anyone with mobility needs.

Bookings for the Buloke Seniors Festival can be made in person or by phone at any of the following outlets: 

Charlton Neighbourhood House | P: 0473 759 456.

Birchip Neighbourhood House | P: 5492 2733.

Donald Community Centre | P: 5497 1707.

Quambatook Community Resource Centre | P: 5457 1220.

Sea Lake Neighbourhood House | P: 5070 1448.

Wycheproof Community Resource Centre | P: 4593 7455.