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Stay young and have fun! Over-55s to parade themselves in this year's Fremantle Festival

PROVING that being young at heart is purely a matter of the mind, the City of Fremantle's One Stop Shop is celebrating positive ageing with a special flotilla in the 2008 Fremantle Festival Lotterywest Street Parade.

Established earlier this year, the One Stop Shop is run by volunteers and promotes civic, social, cultural and spiritual engagement for the over-55s and the wider community.

It provides support and information about leisure and recreation, education and training, family support, finances, aged care services, advocacy, health, housing and retirement, helping people to stay positive and active as their lives progress.

“We brainstormed the possibility of a parade entry with volunteers from the One Stop Shop and they wanted to come up with something that defied stereotypes of older people,” City of Fremantle Community Development Officer Michelle Hovane said.

“We decided to play against that stereotype with a stilt-walking ‘granny’ who will open her dressing gown to reveal the words ‘One Stop Shop’.

“The granny will be in the middle of a huge knitted, crocheted web representing networking and connection.

“Behind the granny-on-stilts will be a flotilla, made up of the many different groups involved in the inspiring and interesting activities for over-55s.

“We want to involve everyone from pole-walkers, cyclists and early morning swimmers through to dancers and mature motorcyclists, so all over-55s are invited to get involved.”

The Fremantle Festival Lotterywest Street Parade takes place from 4pm, Sunday, November 16.

• For more information, photo opportunities or to arrange an interview, contact Michelle Hovane (Community Development Officer) on 0439 584 979 or Erina Goodwin (Positive Ageing Officer) on 9432 9874 or e-mail cdo@fremantle.wa.gov.au.