The Hills Shire Council has introduced Tai Chi classes as part of its community programme for seniors, following feedback from residents who expressed interest in health-focused activities that also promote social connections.

The initiative was first trialled in October at the Baulkham Hills Community Centre, with the support of the Hills Chinese Association, which organised and facilitated the sessions.

Recognising the well-documented benefits of Tai Chi— such as improved balance, flexibility, relaxation, and mobility— the Council decided to make these classes permanently available and free of charge. This ensures that all seniors, regardless of their circumstances, have access to the programme.

The sessions are led by Teacher Wu, a highly respected and internationally acclaimed Tai Chi practitioner with years of experience, offering participants the chance to learn from one of the best in the field.

Police officers are usually the ones bringing calm to a scene— but during Seniors Week, it was Tai Chi Master Yunian Wu leading the way.

Seven officers from The Hills Police Area Command joined local seniors for a special Tai Chi session as part of The Hills Shire Council’ s Seniors Festival.

Vulnerable Persons Officer Mick Barnes described the experience as a fantastic opportunity for police to engage with the community in a relaxed setting.“ We loved our workout,” he said.“ The Seniors Festival is a great way to recognise the valuable contributions of older residents in our community. The Hills PAC police are committed to strengthening our relationship with seniors and supporting their well-being.”

Local resident Michele Sunnucks, who attended the session, shared her appreciation for the initiative.“ It’ s wonderful to see the community and police coming together for something like this,” she said.

“ Events like this allow seniors to

engage in cross-generational interaction in a fun and relaxed way. The police were fully involved in the day’ s activities, and it was fantastic to see.

“ I love that Council has organised this initiative. It brings together many seniors who may not have known each other before, giving us the opportunity to make new friends.”

Mayor of The Hills Shire, Dr Michelle Byrne, expressed her gratitude for the significant contributions of the area’ s senior residents.

“ Seniors make up a substantial part of

The Hills Shire, with at least 19 per cent of our population aged 60 and over. They play a crucial role in our community, with 77 per cent of our volunteers coming from this age group. We are incredibly grateful for their contributions, and this event is a small way to give back to those who give so much,” she said.

“ A big thank you to Hills LAC for participating, as well as the Hills Chinese Association and Tai Chi Master Yunian Wu for their ongoing commitment to this fitness class. I look forward to seeing even more people join in the future.”.