Older Adults Physical Activities Grants Program

The North Coast has a growing older population. Many older people want to stay active but face barriers such as cost, transport, health issues, limited local options and social isolation, especially in rural and regional communities. Low physical activity can often increase the risk of chronic disease, frailty, falls, poor mental health and avoidable need for health and aged care services. This program helps address this by supporting local, low-cost activities that help older people move more, connect with others and stay independent.

The program is delivered in partnership with NNSWLHD and aligns with a preventative health approach to reduce the risk of chronic disease and support people to remain healthy for longer.

The program funds a range of trusted local organisations that know their communities well and can deliver activities that people want to attend. Activities are required to be safe, suitable for older people, culturally inclusive, low-cost or free, and focused on getting more people active.

The grants program opened in May in 2026 and was widely promoted throughout the region. 10 grant recipients were selected in Grant Round 1 with applications for Grant Round 2 opening in late 2026.

Activities will run between July 2026 and June 2029.

The program was shaped by national and international evidence on the benefits of activity for healthy ageing, identified local health needs and advice from the sector. Successful grant recipients were able to demonstrate how they had designed their activities with community, offering programs that met local need, would be well attended and could be measured for the impact they had for people.

In Grant Round 1, Ten grants worth more than $150,000 awarded to local organisations to deliver tailored physical activity programs for a period of up to 2 years, across Tweed, Ballina, Byron, Richmond Valley, Lismore, Kyogle and Clarence Valley. These are

Aunty Gwen Cares – Casino Goori’s Living Healthy program, a culturally led healthy ageing initiative for Aboriginal adults aged 45 years and over – $15,000.

Ballina Coast Walking Football Incorporated – Ongoing walking football program for adults aged 50 years and over – $5,676.

Byron Shire Council – Healthy Ageing Aqua Aerobics program for adults aged 50 years and over – $16,040.

Lismore Basketball Association Inc, Lismore – Basketball: A Game for Life, a community-based physical activity and social connection program for older adults – $8,150.

Maclean Football Club Incorporated – Walking football program for adults aged 60 years and over – $9,412.

Matung Kunarr Aboriginal Corporation – Culturally safe physical activity program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults aged 45 years and over, in Tweed – $15,000.

Meet Move Eat – Chair Yoga and Coffee program for adults aged 50 years and over, or 45 and over for First Nations participants in Uki, Tyalgum and Murwillumbah – $27,152.

Nimbin Physical Activities Centre – Exercise equipment for strength, balance, and healthy ageing programs for adults aged 50 years and over – $15,000.

Northern Rivers Pickleball Association – Structured strength and balance program for adults aged 50 years and over – $14,392.

Tweed Valley Basketball Association, Tweed – Walking basketball program for adults aged 50 years and over – $24,320.

The program also helps providers promote activities through the NSW Health Healthy and Active website and community channels and to share learnings

The program aims to help older people move more, feel more confident, build social connections and stay independent. It supports safe, affordable and inclusive activities for people who may not otherwise take part. The program aims to reduce the risk of chronic disease and falls, support healthy ageing and help build stronger, more connected communities.