WINTER 2024
SeniorsToday.com.au
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Beyond Toowoomba PAGE 22
A champion Giving back to the community. She may be 101 but Mary Norris, long-time volunteer at the St Peter’s Anglican Church Maroochydore community dinners, is still going strong and helping others. STORY PAGE 3
‘Untamed’ Adventure PAGE 28
A little less lonely Council on the Ageing (COTA) Queensland is the first peak body for Seniors Social Isolation Prevention aimed at supporting more older people to stay connected with each other and their communities. COTA Queensland will receive $1.25 million over five years to provide leadership and advice to more than 40 funded services throughout the state
and provide research and advice to government about the impacts of social isolation for older people. The funding is part of a $12.5 million five-year investment to improve the quality of life for older Queenslanders at risk of social isolation or loneliness due to health issues, loss of family and friends, or limited mobility and income. As part of the new role, COTA
Queensland will deliver training and service development opportunities for funded organisations, as well as explore online activities and volunteering in local communities for older Queenslanders. Minister for Seniors Charis Mullen said Around 79,000 older Queenslanders accessed Seniors Social Isolation Prevention services in 2022-
23, helping them to feel more connected through activities such as line dancing, bare foot bowls and yoga. “This is the first time the Queensland Government has funded a peak body for Seniors Social Isolation Prevention, reflecting the importance of older people staying connected and engaged,” the minister said. STORY PAGE 3