Media Statements - A Seniors expo for the first time at the Royal Show

25/9/99

Seniors will have their own expo for the first time in the 68-year history of the Royal Show in this, the

International Year of Older Persons

In launching the

Greatlife

Seniors Expo today, Seniors’ Minister Rhonda Parker said the 56 sites in the exhibition were an acknowledgment of seniors growing importance in the community and the contribution they make to the show.

“The exhibits cover a wide range of activities of interest to seniors including Government services, financial planning information, health, travel and gardening,” Mrs Parker said.

“But its not all serious business as there will also be massages, tai chi and entertainment ranging from a swing band to a kid’s talent team and a suitcase circus.

“The exhibit is an acknowledgment of the fact that the number of seniors in our community will increase greatly over the next two decades and that their demands for specialist goods and services will expand rapidly.

“Seniors currently make up 14 per cent of our population but that will increase to 22 per cent in 2021 and by 2026, there will be more seniors, that is people aged 60 or more, than people aged 18 or under.

“This will require a huge change in the way business and government at all levels provide for the ageing population.”

Mrs Parker said the exhibition also reflected the huge contribution seniors had made to the show over the years.

“It takes 2,000 volunteers, many of whom are seniors, to put the show on each year,” she said.

“They make it possible to put on many of the non-commercial exhibits such as the regional displays and the heritage trial where skills from the past are on show.

“Seniors also submit a large number of entries in the traditional show categories such as cooking and craft.”

There will also be a special Seniors’ Day at the show on Friday, when there will be additional displays and giveaways for seniors.

This year Pension Card holders will pay $7 to enter the show (a $6 discount of the full price) and Senior’s Card holders will pay $11 (a $2 discount).

Media contact: Owen Cole 9481 7810