MEDIA RELEASE

$840,000 investment to keep seniors socially connected

Monday 16 September 2024

Seniors will soon be able to enjoy a new array of exciting activities thanks to the NSW Government’s $840,000 investment in the 2025 Connecting Seniors Grant Program.

Well done to the Uniting Thomas Roseby Lodge who are celebrating the grand opening of their new Street Library on Thursday 21 September.

I acknowledge and thank Connect: Inner West for their hard work and initiative in organising a calendar of social gatherings and outings for local seniors to enjoy over the upcoming winter months.

I acknowledge the NSW Seniors Festival, celebrating older people in New South Wales and giving them an opportunity for connection—which just so happens to be this year's theme.

My views on this issue are formed by my deeply held belief that policy must be based on evidence, and that all of us have a fundamental right to make decisions about our own life - and death. 

The Government has failed to support calls for mandatory minimum accessibility standards for new residential construction work to be included in the National Construction Code

The NSW Government has failed to give certainty to older people, the State Budget shows, with seniors still waiting on the appointment of a permanent Minister, a new Ageing Strategy and seniors groups still unsure as to whether they’ll be funded into the future.

Connect Inner West helps older people in our community maintain their independence by providing affordable and safe community transport, a vital service during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Congratulations to the Council of the Ageing NSW, Seniors Rights Service and other advocates for older people in NSW who have successfully won their campaign to extend funding for the Legal Pathways Program.

 I am proud to announce that this year's Summer Hill Grandparent of the Year is Councillor Lucille McKenna, OAM.