Seniors
Council recognise and respect the significant contributions older people make to the Gympie region and community. Whether it’s through employment, volunteering, grandparenting, or guiding our future, ageing is a time of possibility, opportunity, and influence. We’ve included some information below relating to services, programs, and activities across the Gympie region to help residents age well.
Nominations are now open for the 2025 Senior Citizen of the Year Awards.
Nominate Today
Senior Citizen of the Year Awards
Council’s Senior Citizen of the Year Awards recognise persons aged 60 years and over, who have made a significant contribution in the past year or given outstanding service to the local community over a number of years.
Nominations are now open and close at 5pm on Monday, 20 October 2025.
Gympie Regional Council hosts the awards annually as part of Queensland Seniors Month.
Click here to complete a digital nomination form, or collect a hardcopy nomination form at any of Council's offices.
Previous winners
2005
- Mervyn Brown
- Jacqueline Hyam
2006
- Frank Richards
- Janet Sawrey
2007
- Barry Ingram
- Daphne Clarkson
2008
2009
- Geof Walters
- Daphne Horne
2010
2011
- Alan Ransley
- Betty Shepherd
2012
- Rex Hoffman
- Maureen Maguire
2013
2014
- Val Thomas
- Judith Keetley
2015
- Henry Kross
- Heather Tatnell
2016
- Dudley Fisher
- Lillian Burke
2017
- Stewart English
- Marie Vella
2018
- Alain Henderson
- Mary Potter
2019
- Barry Grainger
- Valerie Neal
2020
2021
- Ian Mckay
- Yvonne Nipperess
2022
2023
2024
Seniors Expo 2025
The Seniors Expo will be held on Thursday, 30 October 2025, from 9am to 11.30am at The Pavilion Conference and Reception Centre, Gympie.
This free Council run event offers seniors the chance to connect with local services, social groups, and recreational activities, while enjoying a free morning tea.
Council is also calling for businesses, community groups and healthcare providers to register as exhibitors and be part of this popular annual event. Don’t miss the chance to showcase your offerings and make a real impact on our senior residents.
To register to become an exhibitor, please contact Council’s Community Development team on 1300 307 800 or via email at council@gympie.qld.gov.au.
Seniors Month
Queensland Seniors Month is in October each year and provides opportunities for people of all ages, cultures, and abilities to come together and connect, celebrating the essential roles older people play in our communities.
Throughout the month, seniors across the Gympie region can enjoy a variety of events, activities, and opportunities to connect, with the aim of promoting positive attitudes towards ageing, encouraging participation, and strengthening community connections.
Community groups hosting activities for Queensland Seniors Month are encouraged to register their events on Council’s What’s On page to help promote them to the wider community and make this year’s celebrations the biggest yet.
Read more about Seniors Month and how to become involved at qldseniorsmonth.org.au.
Ageing in Place
An ageing in place project was commenced by Gympie Regional Council in August 2020.
The project purpose was to investigate Ageing in Place services and infrastructure in the Gympie region with an initial focus on the Western area.
Ageing in place has been defined as “the ability to live in one’s own home and community safely, independently and comfortably, regardless of age, income or level of capacity. Ageing in the right place extends this concept to the ability to live in the place with the closest fit with the person’s needs and preferences – which may or may not be one’s own home” (World Health Organisation. 2015. World report on ageing and health) https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789241565042
The Final Report culminating from this project was presented to Gympie Regional Council’s Ordinary Meeting on 28 June 2022. Councillors unanimously endorsed the twenty-five (25) recommendations for Council Action. Council officers are delivering the actions subject to Council approval of required resourcing.
Click on the following link to read the final report.
Final Report - Investigation of Ageing in Place Services and Infrastructure in the Gympie Region(PDF, 2MB)
On June 26, 2024, at the Gympie Regional Council's Ordinary Meeting, the Ageing in Place Implementation Progress Report was presented.
Click on the link to read the progress report.
Ageing in Place - Implementation Progress Report(PDF, 230KB)
My Aged Care
My Aged Care is an Australian Government initiative that provides information and support to help seniors understand, access, and navigate the aged care system.
My Aged Care can help seniors access a range of services at home, which can improve wellbeing and help maintain independence. Services may include:
- transport
- nursing, physiotherapy, and other care
- meals
- household jobs like cleaning or gardening
- home modifications such as handrails or ramps
- social activities
My Aged Care can also assist with access to short-term care in situations such as recovery from an accident or illness, other setbacks, or if carers or respite workers need a break.
To find out more, call My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 between 8am – 8pm weekdays, or 10am -2pm Saturdays. Staff will ask questions over the phone to help work out your needs and care arrangements. Have your Medicare Card handy when you call.
For more information, visit: myagedcare.gov.au
Concessions
Holders of a current Queensland Pensioner Concession Card or Department of Veteran Affairs Gold Card (all conditions) may be eligible for a pensioner discount on council rates if the property is their principal place of residence. Eligible pensioners will need to complete the Pension Subsidy Form(PDF, 307KB) and lodge it in person at one of council’s customer service points. Remember to bring any relevant concession cards when lodging forms. More information can be found here.
Seniors at the Library
Gympie libraries offer a range of classes and services to assist seniors and members of the community.
Home Library Services
The home library service is for locals who are not able to visit the library in person. This might be because they are older, frail or have a disability. Residents within Gympie or Southside, or who live in an aged care facility in Gympie, can apply for this service. To apply, please phone 07 5481 0859 or email: library@gympie.qld.gov.au to be enrolled in the program.
Library Programs
Libraries in the region offer a range of classes that may assist seniors, as well as other members of the community. Please see the website at library.gympie.qld.gov.au, or contact 07 5481 0859 for more information.
Topics include:
- Tech Help – sessions include help with iPhones, iPads, android devices, safety on the internet and so much more. You can also book a one-on-one half hour session with a friend library staff member.
- Social Groups – sessions include Monday Craft Group, Tuesday Trivia and Writing Fridays.
- English Conversation at Gympie Library.
- Talks and Workshops – sessions include Arm Chair Travellers, Last Friday Social Club and Monthly Local History Talks.
Book clubs
There are more than 25 active reading groups and book clubs accessing the multiple book-set collections of Gympie Regional Libraries. If you’re an avid reader and would like to discuss the work of great authors with other book lovers, find out more about book clubs in your area, or even start your own, contact your nearest library branch today.
Health and Wellbeing
The following free or low-cost programs available in the region can assist with health and wellbeing.