• Seniors enjoying themselves at Have a Go Day in Perth.

Have a Go Day for seniors will celebrate its 30th birthday with a massive shindig in Burswood Park.

Part of National Seniors Week, the event includes a massive range of stalls and activities for the over 50s including everything from canoeing and wall climbing to home baking and craft work.

With covid restrictions more or less behind us, a record number of seniors are expected to attend this year’s Have a Go Day, the flagship event of the WA Seniors Recreation Council. Inspired by the motto “Healthy Ageing Through Activity” and “Age is no barrier”, Have a Go Day is all about seniors trying things they normally wouldn’t and having some unexpected fun – vital to keep your mojo firing as you get older.

They’ll be a stage with live music, dance and entertainment as well as a chance to try walking football, paddling and “hot hula” dancing.

“Activities on the day include kayaking on the river, climbing wall, bell ringing, laser pistol shooting, trishaw rides, various forms of dancing, exercise to music and much more,” says WA Seniors Recreation Council CEO Dawn Yates.

“There’s also a large number of static displays; around 200 which offer participants the opportunity to gather senior- specific information in a beautiful setting and the opportunity to talk to informative agency and clubs/groups representatives or visit health check websites.”

And after all that exercise try out some of the great food stalls including Spit Roast Catering, Tim’s Ice Creams and Casablanca Moroccan Cuisine.

Have a Go Day started out at McCullum Park in 1992, with the first event having about 30 stall holders and 500 visitors.

Over the years it’s gone from strength-to-strength and these days there are about 200 stall holders and 15,000 attendees.

Ms Yates says an army of unsung volunteers have helped make it a success.

“Volunteers are a vital and essential part of the reason that Have a Go Day is so successful and is able to keep costs to a manageable level,” she says.

“Volunteers come from all walks of life – accredited volunteers, department of local government, sport and cultural industries staff, family and friends, and especially for the past 10 years a team of Trustees from Wooroloo Prison Farm have come out to assist our committee, who are mainly over 75 years of age. 

“The team from Wooroloo come out on Tuesday for set-up and on Wednesday to assist at the event and most importantly assist with pack down when all the staff and volunteers are exhausted.”

Have a Go Day is at Burswood Park on November 9 (9am-3pm) as part of National Seniors Week (November 6-13). For more info see srcwa.asn.au