The baby boomers generation (1945 to 1964) prefer to approach ageing robustly so when the gold rush town's traditional senior citizens centre closed, a group of residents decided to rethink ageing.

With 23.9 per cent of Clunes' population represented by residents aged 60 years and over, the group knew it needed to lead the way in providing an attractive social service.

This generation seeks to use their retirement and ageing years to explore new skills, new social connections, new ideas and new experiences.

Operating under the banner Attitude: Ageing Well in Clunes, the new community-led group brings together a host of people and activities focusing on the social, intellectual, physical and wellbeing needs of people aged 60 and over.

And it is thriving.

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Since launching its jazzed-up program in February, Attitude has had 732 participants involved in more than 120 activities.

This is impressive for a town of 2000 people.

Tess Brady, one of the new group's organisers, said the group was about rethinking ageing.

"While the programs are designed with the 60-plus group in mind, everyone of any age is welcome, and they come," Dr Brady said.

Attitude is made up of a mixed group of people, including third generation farmers, tree changers, retirees and employees.

Dr Brady said residents could offer their expertise by running their own activities through Attitude and this was far better than boarding a bus to Geelong to buy an ice cream.

"It's obvious we are a very creative town. We don't have to bring in people. We can be passive," she said.

Clunes resident Victoria Reeve teaches the ukulele - a skill she is learning herself.

"I pick things up and I take them through the process quite slowly and we have fun," Dr Reeve said.

"The ukulele is good for brain health. It's a lot of cross-body activity - swinging and reading music at the same time."

Since the gold rush, Clunes has had a history of innovation which has resulted in a community rich in social capital, shared assets and a culture of self-determination.

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of maintaining health and wellbeing, especially following the closure of the senior citizens facility on the corner of Templeton and Fraser streets.

When this occurred last year, Attitude co-ordinator Lois Nichols said the group talked about the importance of the senior citizens' building to the community.

With the support of the Clunes Neighbourhood House, Attitude committed itself to the challenge of addressing the needs of all residents and launched a program full of activities in February.

"We talked about why we need to keep this building and how important it is," Ms Nichols said.

"A call went out that we heard that the senior citizens had handed in the key and given up. There was only two to three left and they were in their 80s. It became too onerous for them.

"They were running activities including bingo, carpet bowls and offering cups of tea. The Clunes Neighbourhood House rounded up people who they thought would be interested.

"Once we got over the shock of realising we were senior citizens, we decided to do something quick."

Clunes, a booktown, has more than 40 active community groups, which meet in homes or rooms that have physical challenges for some residents while the former senior citizens' building is accessible, has large and small meeting rooms, toilets and a kitchen.

Those small community groups can now use the building and there is scope for them to grow under the new Attitude banner.

"To have this place buzzing the way it is, having people come in once a week, is wonderful. We now have to co-ordinate people coming in," Ms Nicholls said.

"There is barely a day where it's empty."

Dr Brady said she was very surprised by the large number of people drawn to the centre.

"It's because of this fundamental structure we have put in place. Come and use this facility, bring your knowledge, enjoy yourself and we will make it as fun as can be," she said.

Attitude hopes to continue to build community connections and maintain health and wellbeing, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic which affects people in different ways.

Dr Reeve said the centre's drawcard was being able to sit down with other people and a chance to have a focus.

She said if people had a common interest, then there was an opportunity for them to start talking.

"You can talk about things in your life, your family and fears about COVID. You learn about what's going on in the pandemic," she said.

Attitude has adopted a governance prototype commonly seen in men's sheds.

Some of it's activities have been created with the help from the Ballarat chapter of the University of the Third Age.

Attitude's winter program includes film nights, Goldfields track walks, yoga, practical philosophy, artists' and writers' groups and expert talks.

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