Seniors Update - Ho. Jodie Harrison MP

 

October is a wonderful time to celebrate the people who help make our families and communities stronger. As we mark International Day of Older Persons on 1 October and Grandparents Day on 25 October, we recognise the wisdom and generosity that older people share every day. This month also marks National Carers Week, from 11 to 17 October. Many carers do not think of themselves as carers. They simply see themselves as a husband or wife, parent, grandparent, or friend helping someone they love. If that sounds like you, I encourage you to take a moment to recognise the important role you play and explore the support that may be available to you. This National Carers Week, I thank all carers for the difference they make to the lives of others. Looking after your mental health and wellbeing is important at every age, and staying active is one simple way to support both body and mind. Even small amounts of movement can make a positive difference. The free Active and Healthy Directory can help you find activities and connect with others. There is a new and convenient way for eligible seniors to access Gold Opal fare concessions. You can now link your concession to a credit or debit card, phone or smartwatch and continue receiving the same discounted fares while enjoying greater flexibility on public transport. I hope you enjoy this month's newsletter and discover something new. Yours sincerely The Hon. Jodie Harrison MP Minister for Seniors

Shoalhaven City Council combines Youth and Seniors Festival - Shoalhaven City Council - Media Release

 

13 April 2021

The Shoalhaven is preparing for the upcoming Youth and Seniors Festival, with multiple events scheduled to take place around the region.

This year the combined Shoalhaven Youth and Seniors Festival highlights the value and importance of bringing generations together to celebrate thro

ugh shared experiences and all-inclusive activities and events.

Shoalhaven City Council is proud to provide 7 assistance grants of up to $1000 to local community groups and organisations hosting events or activities that celebrate and support youth and seniors in the Shoalhaven during the weeklong festival.

Mayor Amanda Findley is looking forward to the events and hopes it will bring the community together to celebrate with lifelong friends whilst making new ones.

“This year’s combined festival is an opportunity for young people and seniors to develop new friendships and skills and enjoy intergenerational activities and events that encourage bonding across generations and dispel negative stereotypes,” Clr Findley said.

“We hope that younger people will gain an understanding of ageing and face their own ageing more positively. For young people who do not have grandparents or other seniors in their families, engaging with older adults fills a social gap”.

“Hopefully, older adults will feel energised with a new sense of purpose, especially when they are sharing their experiences and skills. Considering the recent impact of Covid, we also hope the planned activities will reduce a sense of isolation and potentially relieve or lessen depression,” said Clr Findley.

The region will host over 14 events with many activities being free or costing under five dollars, with events ranging from social gatherings to sport and educational classes.

The festival will run from 13 to 24 April with a full calendar of events which is proudly supported by the NSW Government. In 2021 NSW Seniors Festival is from 13 to 24 April and NSW Youth Week is from 16 to 24 April. The timing of these statewide celebrations presents a unique opportunity to offer a range of intergenerational and interest-based activities, to bring together all age groups.

The Shoalhaven Youth and Seniors Festival 2021 combines the NSW Seniors Week theme ‘In our nature’ and the NSW Youth Week theme 'Together more than ever’ to promote wellbeing and mindfulness to support a happy healthy community.

Seniors Festival activities are offered for people over 55 years old and Youth Week activities are for people between the ages of 12 and 25 years.

For details view the Youth and Seniors Festival Calendar here: http://bit.ly/2021YouthandSeniors.

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In your neighbourhoos - This Week - Shoalhaven City Council

 

Explore the Integrated Emergency Management Centre 

Take a guided walk through the Integrated Emergency Management Centre with RFS personnel by watching the video. 

Council together with Shoalhaven RFS  is encouraging families, friends and neighbours to use the NSW RFS Get Ready Weekend (19-20 September) to prepare for bushfire season and start a broader conversation about being aware of and prepared for all hazards.

You can Get Ready now, by following the five steps. Find the steps, and further support on our Get Ready resource page or jump onto the NSW RFS Sholhaven Facebook page. 

WATCH VIDEO

 

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Liberty Swing at Plantation Point  Veolia Mulwaree Trustee, Henry Gundry visited the Shoalhaven this week to present a cheque for $21,000 to Sholahaven City Council's Mayor Amanda Findley.   Veolia's donation will fund the installation of a Liberty Swing as part of Council’s new inclusive playground development at Plantation Point Reserve, Vincentia.   Construction is scheduled to begin in October.  MORE DETAILS

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Have your say: Livvi's Place at Marriott Park  Council has created a Master Plan for Marriott Park in the Nowra CBD.   A component of the Master Plan is the creation of the Variety Livvi's Place inclusive playspace.  You can have your say on the Draft Concept Plan - Variety Livvi's Place Marriott Park by taking part in an online survey.  Survey closes on Friday, 25 September.  COMPLETE THE SURVEY

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Have your say: Driving in senior years  The University of Wollongong is working in collaboration with key stakeholders to understand how we can support senior drivers with decisions about maintaining, restricting or retiring from driving.  We are inviting family members of senior drivers or retired drivers to provide their views and experiences on this topic through an online survey.  Take part in the online survey to have your say. COMPLETE THE SURVEY

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Blaze Aid mends fences and lifts spirits Council acknowledges the volunteer efforts, coordinated by Blaze Aid, to help the Shoalhaven recover and rebuild following the January bushfires. Volunteer-based organisation BlazeAid has been working with rural property owners across the Shoalhaven to rebuild fences that have been damaged or destroyed by fire and flood.  View Council's Blaze Aid Report for a snapshot of their efforts over the past six-months. MORE DETAILS

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National Dementia Australia Helpline In 2020, there are an estimated 459,000 Australians living with dementia. Without a medical breakthrough, the number of people with dementia is expected to increase to nearly 1.1 million by 2058. The National Dementia Helpline is a free, federally funded service available to those living with dementia, or family, friends and carers of people living with dementia.  LEARN MORE

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Save energy and reduce your bills Endeavour Energy's PowerSavers intatitive, AtHomeSaver can help customers who have difficulty managing their electricity bills. The program can help you: learn simple tips to reduce your energy use at home save money on your bills help reduce your carbon footprint.  Download the the PowerSavers mobile app to take part in the program. MORE DETAILS

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Feed yourself, not your bin

Food makes up around 30% of landfill waste and much of it can be avoided. 

Planning your meals and how much food you purchase, plus organising your fridge and pantry, are simple steps to help prevent your food from perishing before you get to consume it.

Reducing your food waste benefits the environment and your wallet. Find out how you can use six steps to reduce food waste at home. 

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WATCH VIDEO

NSW Government - Corona Virus, Seniors Rebate, Before & After School Care Provider & Affordable Wedding Venues

The news about novel coronavirus continues to develop. It’s important to take sensible steps to look after yourself and your family.

• Keep an eye out for updates from reliable sources such as the NSW Government website
• If you develop a fever, cough, sore throat or shortness of breath within 14 days of overseas travel or are in contact with someone else who has Coronavirus, seek medical attention: call your GP, Healthdirect on 1800 022 222, or in an emergency, your local hospital emergency department
• Protect yourself and others: clean your hands regularly, cough or sneeze into your elbow or a tissue. Face masks aren’t recommended for people without symptoms. Importantly – stay at home if you’re feeling unwell. 

At Service NSW our customers are our priority. We are putting in extra measures to ensure your safety. We have improved cleaning and are providing hand sanitiser and single-use pens at all our centres.

We encourage customers who have any of the symptoms listed above to consider doing your Service NSW transactions online.



Click here for Seniors $200.00 Rebate On Electricity


Click here for Find a Before & After School Care Provider

Click here for A Dream Wedding without breaking the bank


Click here for previous post on Corona Virus

Blacktown City Council - Media Release - CELEBRATING SENIORS

7 February 2020

It’s all about seniors this month as Blacktown City

Council gears up to play its part in the largest Seniors 

Festival in the Southern Hemisphere.

The annual New South Wales Seniors Festival (12 – 23 

February) is a great opportunity for the Blacktown City 

community to acknowledge the contribution that seniors 

make to our community.

Blacktown City Mayor Tony Bleasdale OAM said the theme 

for 2020’s Seniors Festival, Love to celebrate!, is a reminder 

to simply enjoy yourself.

“It might be a class in cooking or aqua aerobics, joining a 

knitting group, taking part in a community brunch, becoming 

tech savvy or learning new cooking skills - there is 

something for everyone,” Mayor Bleasdale said.

“This year’s theme is a reminder for seniors to head outside, 

to discover new activities, create experiences and celebrate.

“In Blacktown City we have nearly 70,000 residents over the 

age of 55, and nearly 35,000 over the age of 65,” Mayor 

Bleasdale said.

“Almost 4,000 residents over 65 years of age are employed 

making up 11 per cent of our work force.

“Our older residents are making a truly valuable contribution 

in our community, whether through paid work, volunteering 

or providing invaluable family assistance. Seniors Festival is 

an opportunity to recognise all they’ve done for Blacktown

City.”

Blacktown City Council will celebrate active, healthy and 

independent ageing during the Festival and almost all the 

activities are free.

To access a Blacktown City Seniors Festival Program, 

contact Council on 9839 6000 or download a program by 

visiting Council’s website www.blacktown.nsw.gov.au/Events-

and-activities/Blacktown-City-Seniors-Festival-2020

The Seniors Festival in Blacktown kicks off on 12 February and will feature numerous free events.

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