Celebrating 50 Years of community, connection and support

5 Oct

On Thursday 1 October, hundreds of people gathered at Founders Heritage Park to celebrate a remarkable milestone for Age Concern Nelson Tasman, our 50th Jubilee. Coinciding with the International Day of Older Persons, the day was not only a celebration of our organisation's history, but also a celebration of the older people who help shape our communities every day.

Fifty years is a significant achievement for any community organisation. As we reflected on our journey, we were reminded that Age Concern Nelson Tasman has always been much more than a service provider. It is a network of people, volunteers, staff, supporters and community organisations who have worked together over five decades to support older people to remain connected, informed, safe and actively involved in community life.

The day was filled with conversation, laughter, storytelling and, perhaps most noticeably, music. Throughout the day, the beautiful Village Green at Founders Heritage Park became the heart of the celebration, drawing together much of the crowd to enjoy a programme of live entertainment. Performances by Nelson’s Hummin' Strummers, the NBS Nelson City Brass Band and local musicians Noel & Bill created a warm, welcoming atmosphere that encouraged people to linger, connect and celebrate together. Families gathered to share in the celebration, friends caught up over a cup of tea, and visitors wandered between the various historic set-pieces of the park before returning to enjoy the music. It was a fitting backdrop for a day centred on community, bringing people of all ages together in a shared space and reminding us of the simple joy that comes from gathering in good company.

One of the highlights of the celebration was the opening of the fifth annual Beyond the Face exhibition. This year's exhibition introduced 12 new artboards, each sharing the story of a local person whose experiences, achievements and contribution deserve recognition. Visitors also had the opportunity to view many of the artboards from previous years, creating a powerful impression of the project since it began in 2021.

Walking through the exhibition, suspended within the energy centre was a reminder that every face tells a story. Together, the collection reflects lives shaped by resilience, service, family, creativity, adventure and community involvement. It challenges the assumptions that often surround ageing and instead highlights the richness, diversity and individuality that exists within our older population. More than anything, it celebrates people and the lives they continue to lead.

We were privileged to hear from Mayor Nick Smith and Barry from Simplicity Funerals, whose reflections acknowledged both the value older people bring to our communities and the importance of planning for a future where more people can age well, remain connected and continue contributing in meaningful ways.

While the day recognised our history, it was equally an opportunity to acknowledge those who have helped make that history possible. Age Concern Nelson Tasman exists because people have consistently given their time, expertise, care and support. We are deeply grateful to our volunteers, staff, Board members, funders, community partners and supporters, past and present. Every conversation, every act of kindness, every hour volunteered and every contribution made has helped shape the organisation we are today.

We would like to extend our sincere thanks to the many organisations and individuals who helped make the celebration such a success including: Simplicity Funerals, Nelson City Council, Tasman District Council, Tim Cuff and Fiona Terry of Nelson Creative, CopyART, the team at Founders Heritage Park, TopSouth Media, Sarnim Dean Photography, Pestells Butchery, MS Ford, Nelson Hummin' Strummers, NBS Nelson City Brass Band, and Noel & Bill from AllSoundz. Your generosity, professionalism and willingness to get involved helped create a day that was welcoming, memorable and worthy of the occasion.

Looking around the park on the day, it was clear that our strongest asset has always been our community. The friendships, partnerships and shared commitment to supporting older people are what have sustained Age Concern Nelson Tasman over the past 50 years, and they will continue to guide us into the future.

Our Jubilee celebration was an opportunity to honour the past, recognise the present and look ahead with confidence. Most importantly, it was a chance to say thank you. Thank you to everyone who has walked alongside us over the last five decades and contributed towards our vision of making Nelson Tasman the best place to age well.