Living your best life

By Jaclyn Symes
Northern Victoria upper house MP

THE Victorian Seniors Festival has returned for October!

Now in its 42nd year, the festival delivers a massive program full of free or low-cost events and activities across the state.

The Allan Labor Government, local councils, and community and cultural organisations will deliver over 2000 events celebrating older Victorians.

The festival features everything from country concerts, dances, and high teas to exciting new events celebrating our community’s diversity.

There are several fantastic events happening in the local community, and I encourage you to attend as many as you can.

There are a number of free local events happening over the month in Mildura, Irymple, Ouyen and Merbein.

You can find events close to you by visiting the festival’s online event calendar at seniorsonline.vic.gov.au/festival-calendar and by contacting Mildura Rural City Council.

The Allan Labor Government is continuing to invest in services that people need most throughout the Mallee region.

People who have experienced rough sleeping in the Mildura area will be supported out of homelessness and into their own homes through a new supportive housing program.

Last month the Minister for Housing Harriet Shing announced that Homes Victoria and Mallee Accommodation and Support Program are partnering to deliver six homes under the Labor Government’s Regional Supportive Housing Program.

This program is the first permanent supportive housing of its kind in regional Victoria for people who have experienced rough sleeping.

It means more people experiencing homelessness and rough sleeping in regional Victoria will have the safety, security and support they need.

The Mildura project will be well-located.

Construction of the proposed homes is expected to start this year and be completed in the second half of 2025.

In addition to this supportive housing project, Homes Victoria and Mallee Accommodation and Support Program partnered to build three youth housing units in Mildura, funded through the Labor Government’s Youth Housing Capital Grant program.

You can read more about these projects on my website jaclynsymes.com.au.

My office is always available to help with state government matters. To contact my office, call 5783 2000 or email me at jaclyn.symes@parliament.vic.gov.au.

Digital Editions


  • Airport blindsided by Qantas closure

    Airport blindsided by Qantas closure

    MILDURA’S airport boss was given just two weeks’ notice that Qantas intended to review its Mildura operations before a decision was made to close the…

More News

  • Swift approval for Mansell upgrade

    Swift approval for Mansell upgrade

    THE $32 million masterplan and redevelopment for the spiritual home of women’s sport in the region, Mansell Reserve, has been given the seal of approval by the Mildura Rural City…

  • Hammer attack accused released on bail

    Hammer attack accused released on bail

    A MILDURA man alleged to have attacked a vulnerable woman with a hammer during a chance meeting on Deakin Avenue has been released on bail despite police concerns that he…

  • Police discount Ingram sightings

    Police discount Ingram sightings

    POLICE have discounted reported sightings of alleged triple murderer Julian Ingram in Mildura. Police say they received reports of the wanted New South Wales man on Lilley Drive, Mildura, on…

  • Record flooding to wash over outback natural wonder

    Record flooding to wash over outback natural wonder

    ONE of Australia’s natural wonders is set to be filled by floodwaters triggered by an extreme monsoon, creating a remarkable milestone. For the first time in recorded history, South Australia’s…

  • Lifetime membership for MADEC chair

    Lifetime membership for MADEC chair

    MADEC board member Peter Jones has been awarded a lifetime membership after serving on its board of directors for 15 years. The national not-for-profit began as a Mildura-based organisation in…

  • Stevens to face new trial

    Stevens to face new trial

    A NEW County Court trial for former AFL player Nick Stevens will begin in Melbourne on Monday. Stevens is alleged to have obtained more than $170,000 by deception in relation…

  • Ley resigns, race officially on

    Ley resigns, race officially on

    SUSSAN Ley has formally quit Parliament, two weeks after being ousted from the Liberal Party’s top job. Her resignation as the member for Farrer will trigger a by-election in her…

  • Waves welcomes swim school leader

    Waves welcomes swim school leader

    SELINA Moule is taking her passion for teaching to a new level. She has been made Mildura Waves Aquatic & Leisure Centres’ new head of swim school, and said she…

  • Tourism program sparks fresh ideas

    Tourism program sparks fresh ideas

    MORE than 50 tourism operators from across the Murray and Riverina regions recently gathered in Sunraysia recently to learn, connect, and explore ways to enhance or expand tourism offerings in…

  • Taste the Easter bun fun!

    Taste the Easter bun fun!

    A TIRAMISU and key lime pie-flavoured Easter delight are two possible candidates for Sunraysia Bread and Butter Bakery Irymple’s entry for Australia’s Best Hot Cross Bun competition at next month’s…