We have a fairly even distribution of senior and younger residents.

At present we are home to as many people between the age of five and 23 as over the age of 50.

While the differences between people at these stages of life are many, there are also plenty of commonalities.

The one thing that binds all residents is the geography of the place.

Stories recently shared by some of our senior residents with some young people helped to bridge the intergenerational gap that so often occurs through lack of contact.

Through the Our Time Our Place art project, the council created an environment where high school students and senior residents could meet and find out they have more in common than they may have thought.

The young people found they could relate to the stories about growing up in the same area as the older people, creating an understanding between the two groups.

The stories of the area were then expressed by the young artists as a chalk mural now featured on the walls at the Shellharbour Village Exhibition Space (SVES) until Sunday, and is definitely worth a look.

Another way to bridge the generational gap is to share images of how fabulous our residents over the age of 55 are. The 3rd of Ageing is now open for submissions.

The purpose of this competition is to reduce the negative stereotype that age has less fun and purpose. We need to show everyone that it is in fact, the opposite.

So grab your camera and take some photos of your friends and family in this age group being active and living life to the full.

Entry details are available on council's website and submissions will be taken until February 13.

An exhibition will be held as part of Seniors Week in March at the SVES, when the winners will be announced and prizes awarded.

This is always a fun event and I encourage everyone to get involved.

Our pool open days have been a fantastic success during the holiday break, with the new inflatable pool toy making its debut at all of the public pools in the area.

During February, this toy will also be on the water at Albion Park, Saturday, February 7; Oak Flats on Saturday, February 14 and 21 and Warilla on Saturday, February 28.

Entry fees apply.