This year’s theme is “Connect. Create. Celebrate.” Embrace positive ageing and take part in events and activities close to home and right across the state.
Enjoy a month of free and low cost events designed to help you connect with fellow community members and embrace new experiences.
This year some of our key events include….
Community Lunch and Mini-Expo – Tues 7 October, 12:00pm
The mainstay of Seniors Festival over the last few years, seniors eat for free at our community lunch. Come and enjoy a vegetarian two course meal and browse the many services, programs, community organisations and social groups on offer. Click here to register
The Swinging Sixties – live concert event with Wendy Stapleton.
One of Australia’s favourite ladies, Wendy Stapleton has a brand new show featuring all her favourite songs from the great female artists of the Swinging Sixties. This is a free event for seniors! Click here to register.
Mobility Devices & Accessibility Workshop – Mon 27 Oct 10:00am
Learn about buying, operating and maintaining mobility devices such as wheelchairs & scooters.
Click here to register
A series of events presented in partnership with Castlemaine Pride.
From Life Drawing to Bird Walks, from Morning Teas to Memoir Writing, scroll down to check out our events that cater to our vibrant LGBTQIA+ community and allies.
Scroll down for a full list of events running throughout October.
Booking information:
Contact Castlemaine Community House to book in to any event.
Phone 03 5472 4842 or email reception@cch.org.au.
Alternatively, book in online through the booking links below, or visit us in person at 30 Templeton Street, Castlemaine.
Shared Reading at Castlemaine Safe Space
Sep 27, Oct 1, 4, 8 | 11:00am
Listen to a story and a poem being read aloud in an informal and relaxed environment. You may want to share your thoughts, but there is absolutely no pressure to do so. Everyone is welcome!
Visit Castlemaine Safe Space at 74 Mostyn St, Castlemaine.
This is a free event and no bookings are required.
Play Date by All The Queens Men
October 1 | 10:30am and 1:00pm
Just in time for the school holidays, join the grandkids for this super-fun boogie session happening at Phee Broadway Theatre.
Free for seniors.
Click here to register
Tour of the Castlemaine Botanical
Gardens.
October 2 | 10:00am
A walking tour of the Castlemaine Botanical Gardens led by one of the garden horticulturalists.
This is a free event!
Click here to register
Afternoon Melodies
October 2 | 2:00pm
Join local Ukulele enthusiasts Maine-ly Ukes Big Band for a fun afternoon in the comfortable surrounds of the Northern Arts Hotel.
Cost: $10
Click here for bookings
Backgammon at The Taproom
October 2 & 16 | 6:00pm
Try your hand at this age-old board game in the fun and relaxed atmosphere of The Taproom.
This is a free event!
No booking required.
Castlemaine Men’s Shed
October 3 & 17 | 9:30am
Whether you are an old hand or new to woodworking, come along to experience the companionship and support of this wonderful community group. This is a free event! No bookings required.
See here for more details
Chair Yoga
October 4, 11, 18, 25 | 10:30am
Join Meera for a session of gentle beginner yoga, on chair or mat.
This is a free event.
Click here to register
Jazz Jam at Maurocco Bar
October 5 | 2:00pm
Come along, meet with friends, make new friends, and listen to a variety of jazz styles.
Cost: $5
No booking required.
Bendigo Art Gallery visit
October 6 | 10:00am
An excursion to the Bendigo Art Gallery. Organised by Get Connected Mt Alexander.
This is a free event!
Click here to register
Community Lunch & Mini-Expo
Oct 7 | 12:00pm
This Seniors Month, join us at the Town Hall for our popular Seniors Expo at Community Lunch on Tuesday 7th October.
Explore a diverse range of stalls showcasing valuable services tailored just for older residents. From health and wellness resources to leisure activities and financial services, there’s something for everyone.
This year will also feature some stall holders dedicated to those looking to change careers, or re-enter the workplace.
The Expo will feature a dedicated quiet time from 1.30pm, for those preferring a lower noise environment.
This is a free event. Seniors also get to enjoy a free meal at Community Lunch, served at 12.30pm.
Click here to register
Cooking for Blokes
October 9, 16, 23, 30 | 1:00pm
Join our 4-week course designed to help men build cooking skills & gain confidence in the kitchen.
This is a free event for seniors!
Click here to register
The Swinging Sixties
October 9 | 2:00pm
One of Australia’s favourite ladies, Wendy Stapleton has a brand new show featuring all her favourite songs from the great female artists of the Swinging Sixties. It’s all happening at the Castlemaine Town Hall. This is a free event for seniors!
Click here to register
Accommodation Options for Retirement & Aged Care Changes
October 10 | 10:00am
A presentation and Q&A with Gary from Services Australia, and Peta from Mount Alexander Shire Council.
This is a free event!
Click here to register
Silver Rainbow Morning Tea at the Ray
Bradfield room.
October 10 | 10:30am
The Silver Rainbow Social Club is a group for LGBTIQA+ people aged over 50 who live in Central Vic.
This is a free event!
Click here to register
Botanical Gardens Chatty Cafe BBQ
October 13 | 11:00am
Get Connected Mt Alexander Chatty Cafe gathering & BBQ at the Castlemaine Botanical Gardens. This is a free event!
Click here to register
Come & Try – Movement Zone
October 14 | 11:00am
Join regular dance group the Silver Tops for a groovy and joyful morning. This is a free event for seniors!
Click here to register
End of Life Planning
October 15 | 10:00am
How can we approach death with creativity, care, and a lighter footprint? Explore meaningful alternatives, from living wakes to natural burials and end-of-life rituals, in this thought-provoking talk. Presented by Hayley West.
This is a free event!
Click here to register
Planning Ahead
October 16 | 10:00am
Information on Enduring Powers of Attorney, Supportive Attorney and Medical Decision Making.
This is a free event!
Click here to register
Genealogy
October 17 | 10:00am
Donna from Goldfield Libraries explains the process to begin researching your family tree.
This is a free event!
Click here to register
Digital Legacy Planning
October 17 | 2:00pm
Presentation on creating a plan to help manage your digital assets when you are no longer able to.
This is a free event!
Click here to register
Castlemaine Pride Rainbow Bird Walk
October 18 | 9:00am
Connect with nature & other LGBTQIA+ folks on our bird watching wander along Campbells Creek Trail.
This is a free event!
Click here to register
Three Chord Club
October 19 | 2:00pm
Bring an instrument, or just your good self for this relaxed regular jam session at the famous Maurocco Bar.
Cost: $5.00
No booking required.
Wills & Wishes with ARC Justice
October 20 | 10:30am
Join us to discuss the importance of thinking through and putting in place Wills, Powers of Attorney and Advance Care Directives.
This is a free event!
Click here to register
Chatty Cafe at Community House Garden
October 20 & 27 | 11:00am
Our regular Chatty Cafe here in the Castlemaine Community House garden. Join us for a casual cuppa and a friendly chat.
This is a free event! No booking required.
Come and Try – Harcourt Bowling Club
October 21 | 10:00am
Get along to meet the friendly folk at Harcourt Bowling Club. Meet new people and try your hand at the relaxing art of lawn bowling, and enjoy a light morning tea. Flat soled shoes are required (or go barefoot). This is a free event!
No booking required.
Bendigo RSL Live Entertainment & Lunch
October 22 | 10:30am
Live music & lunch at the Bendigo RSL for veterans & their families. Transport and catering included.
This is a free event!
Click here to register
Artifical Intelligence Demystified
October 23 | 10:30am
Learn the basics of Artificial intelligence (AI) in plain, everyday language followed by some fun interactive activities. Presented by Mt Alexander Shire Council. Morning tea is included. This is a free event!
For bookings email here or phone us at the Community House on 5472 4842.
Harcourt Valley Community House Seniors Lunch
October 23 | 11:30am
A community lunch for Harcourt seniors as part of the 2025 Seniors Festival. Hosted by the Harcourt Valley Community House.
This is a free event!
Click here to register
Silver Rainbow Morning Tea at Aitken’s Corner Cafe
October 24 | 10:30am
The Silver Rainbow Social Club is a group for LGBTIQA+ people aged over 50 who live in Central Vic.
This is a free event!
Click here to register
Mobility Devices & Accessibility Workshop
October 27 | 10:00am
Learn about buying, operating and maintaining mobility devices such as wheelchairs & scooters.
This is a free event!
Click here to register
Uncle Rick’s Waaman Tour
October 28 | 10:30am
Join Uncle Rick as we explore significant sites, share ancestral stories, and celebrate the vibrant living culture of Jaara people.
This is a free event!
Click here to register
Castlemaine Pride Life Drawing
October 28 | 10:00am
Join us for a morning where we embrace the human body and LGBTQIA+ identities through the art of drawing.
This is a free event!
Click here to register
Castlemaine Pride Memoir Writing
October 29 | 10:00am
Memoir writing workshop for LGBTQIA+ people. Facilitated by published memoirist Anne Rittman.
This is a free event!
Click here to register
Storyseed
October 30 | 10:30am
A live reading of creative non-fiction by local writers, plus a reflective reading and writing practice to take away.
This is a free event!
Click here to register
Murnong Mummas Farm Tour
October 31 | 10:00am
Join us for a tour of the Murnong Mummas farm in Harcourt, & participate in a bush tucker workshop.
This is a free event!
Click here to register
Older Adults Matter Too
October 31 | 6:00pm
Join us at the Campbells Creek Bowling Club for a relaxed conversation about how to stay aware of our own mental health, and what to look out for in others that we care about.
Guest presenters will talk about local options for staying connected and maintaining a social lifestyle in and around the Shire.
A free BBQ is included.
This is a free event!
Click here to register
Click here to download your copy of the program
Look out for special programming or discounts at organisations that are friends of Castlemaine Community House including Shedshaker Brewery & Taproom, Theatre Royal & Main FM.
