Seniority reigns supreme this week, Queensland Seniors Week, and Cloncurry seniors are enjoying a series of events curated just for them.
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87-year-old Annie Connolly is the most senior of seniors in this proud 150-year-old North West community.
Attending the seniors high tea and art exhibition opening at the Community Precinct on Monday, Maggie was joined by friends Nancy Butt and Sarah Chong.
“I’ve been here all my life!” Annie said.
Annie’s father was a Chinese immigrant, and her mother was Aboriginal.
While she remembers growing up very poor, Annie has always loved the town and its people.
“We lived on the bank of the river. We were all mixed up, blacks and whites, they were all friendly, we had tea together. Lovely people, they were,” Annie said.
The exhibition features work by senior citizens in mediums such as sculpture, photography, painting, and quilting.
Mayor Greg Campbell said seniors are a small but important community in Cloncurry.
“They are a really well-respected group that we try and include as much as we can, to get around and see what their stories and opinions are,” Cr Campbell said.
“It’s acknowledging their contribution. The place wouldn’t be what it is without their contribution, hard work, and sacrifice.”
Many seniors in the community live independently, while some reside at the Cloncurry Aged Care Facility, or have assistance from Blue Care.
Seniors Week continues with a luncheon on Wednesday with the Mayor at the Cloncurry Hospital Annex, a roadtrip to Corella Dam on Thursday, and a talent show and morning tea with Cloncurry youth on Friday.
The seniors’ art exhibition is running until the end of August at the Cloncurry Community Precinct.