General News
25 September, 2025
Poi twirling for seniors
SENIORS across the district will have the chance to try the art of Poi twirling during next month’s Seniors Festival.
A series of free sessions will be offered as part of both the Warrnambool City and Moyne Shire festival celebrations throughout October.
The classes will be offered by the talented Diane Hughson, who has been twirling for over 20 years and is also an experienced fire twirler.
Diane recently completed a SpinPoi certification course, developed from research undertaken by Dr Kate Riegle whose study on the traditional ‘Maori Treasure’ demonstrates significant benefits of poi twirling for brain health, balance, grip strength and overall wellbeing.
Every set of poi used in these workshops have been handmade by Diane using lightweight, safe materials, carefully designed for older adults.
“Poi twirling can be done in a standing or seated position, making it suitable for people of all abilities and levels of mobility,” Diane said.
“These free sessions during the seniors festival have been designed to bring colour, movement and joy to older adults in our community.”
Workshops will be held at the Koroit Theatre on Thursday, October 2 from 11am-11.15; the Archie Graham Community Centre, Monday October 6 from 11.30am-12.15pm, and at the Port Fairy Yacht Club from 11am-11.45am on Tuesday, October 28.
In addition, classes will continue at the Archie Graham Community Centre through to December, giving participants the chance to build skills and keep moving (contact Archie Graham Community centre for bookings).
Diane is currently providing sessions monthly at Warrnambool’s Mercy Place (aged care centre) where one resident, at the age of 101, said it was the best exercise he had done as he felt it was “great for my brain.”
