Page 1160 - Week 03 - Thursday, 22 March 2012
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courses on a myriad of subjects to people aged over 50. The teachers of these courses are often seniors themselves, generously sharing a lifetime’s accumulation of knowledge with others. Communities@Work also runs several initiatives, including computer workshops for older people and super grands, which links young families struggling with budgeting and time management with a carefully picked older volunteer who can share the tricks and tips of household management that they have learned over the course of many years. This is an outstanding example of using the hard-earned knowledge of older people to assist the wider community.
There are also several other community programs for seniors in Brindabella coordinated by Communities@Work. The Tuggeranong Men’s Shed allows older men to maintain social contacts while “doing” rather than just “talking”, while the Tuggeranong 55 Plus Club has a book club, many exercise classes, bushwalks and excursions, and has every intention of expanding its range of activities as it grows. I was speaking to someone at the breakfast on Monday who said that they have a significant number of people in their exercise classes at the wonderful new centre by Lake Tuggeranong who are in their 90s. I think this just proves the point made by Patricia Reeve about how important remaining active is and that, if you do remain active, you can do so for a long time.
The importance of these sorts of community initiatives to the social inclusion for older people cannot be overestimated. Social isolation is particularly bad for the physical and mental health of older people. Providing transport for people who are unable to drive or to travel by public transport is one of the ways that Communities@Work contribute to the wellbeing of seniors in our community. Their transport program provides transportation for older people who cannot access public transport, allowing them to do their shopping or to attend appointments or social events.
I should also mention the Canberra gold awards which honour the contributions of people who have been in Canberra for over 50 years. I know a number of members were at that event, which also, obviously, gave the Canberra citizen of the year award. I know Ms Porter and a number of other members were there. This is a great initiative to honour people who have lived, worked and contributed to what Canberra is today.
I would also like to mention the older women’s multicultural network, another wonderful group who make a significant contribution in promoting the involvement and respect of older women from multicultural backgrounds in the ACT. I know they also provide their significant knowledge, wisdom and mentoring to younger women from multicultural backgrounds, which is wonderful.
In this year’s ACT Seniors Week we can celebrate these initiatives and organisations and provide a welcome recognition of the vital role that older people and all of the community groups for older people play in promoting the important place of older people in the ACT community and the positive and invaluable contribution they make.
MS PORTER (Ginninderra) (4.26): Madam Assistant Speaker, I am sure you are aware of my interest in the area that we are talking about today in the debate on the matter of public importance, not least because of the fact that I turn 70 this year. However, I am sure that all in this place would have a similar interest, given that
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