Rhonda Parker

Rhonda Parker

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    International Year of Older Persons grants - country

    9/06/1999 8:31 AM
     
    9/6/99

    Thousands of seniors around the State will benefit from 80 International Year of Older Persons grants announced by Seniors’ Minister Rhonda Parker today.

    The second round of grants for the international year, worth a total of $200,000 will go to 42 metropolitan and 38 country community-based and local government organisations, including a number of Aboriginal and multicultural groups.

    “The successful applicants include a parenting program for young mothers using seniors as mentors, a Seniors Olympics, histories of seniors including a Polish-English historical book, a Healthy Lifestyle Expo, intergenerational projects between young people and seniors, programs to train seniors in the use of technology, promotions of healthy ageing and activities to help senior carers,” Mrs Parker said.

    “The community response to these grants has been overwhelming with more than 420 applications received, a staggering 750 per cent increase on the previous round of grants, reflecting the increasing interest in this international year.

    “This shows the increased awareness of seniors issues generated by the international year.

    “The IYOP grants program will support community initiatives and projects that promote the theme for the year, ‘a Western Australia for all ages’.

    “It provides an opportunity to initiate programs to benefit Western Australian seniors of today and as well as the increasing number of seniors in the future.

    “Currently 14 per cent of the State’s population is aged 60 years or more. That will increase to 22 per cent by the year 2021 so we must start planning now to ensure that the necessary services and programs are in place to meet the demands of our ageing population.”

    The country winners by town, organisation and project are:

    TownGroupProject
    AlbanyAlbany Youth Support‘Being there’ peer skills help program
    AlbanyOver 50’s Recreation AssociationIntergenerational exchange including seminar and year book
    BridgetownBridgetown Terminus Community Centre‘Being there’ peer skills program
    BridgetownShire of BridgetownComputer skills, healthy lifestyles and repertory theatre for seniors and families
    BroomeBroome Aged and DisabledSenior Olympics
    BunburyAustralind Seniors Club‘Ages and Changes’ performance
    BunburyFriends of Community Health‘Get up and Go’ expo
    BunburyStark Raven Theatre CompanyProduction of Emma Celebration
    BusseltonBusselton Naturalists ClubBibbulmun track walk
    CollieCollie Senior Citizens and Meals on WheelsIntergenerational fun day
    CorriginCorrigin Senior CitizensBuild a gazebo and barbecue area
    DongaraDongara Denison Senior AssociationMonthly seniors events
    DowerinShire of Dowerin HallCurriculum interaction between school children and seniors
    EsperanceNational Seniors Branch50 plus arts exhibition
    Fitzroy CrossingMarninwarntikuraShelter for women and children
    Fitzroy CrossingFitzroy Crossing District High SchoolElders overnight camp
    GeraldtonBundiyarra Aboriginal CommunityActivities for Bundiyarra Elders
    GeraldtonGeraldton Community Education Centre‘Turn on to Tech’ seniors computer skills program
    GinginGingin Stay on Your Feet Group‘Get together to stay on your feet’ promotion
    GnowangerupGnowangerup Aboriginal CorporationNoongar cultural exchange project
    GoldfieldsEastern Goldfields Aboriginal AdvancementIntergenerational cultural activities
    Harvey Harvey Health and Community ServiceIntergenerational information and fun event
    HydenHyden Resource and TelecentreTechnology awareness days for seniors
    KalgoorlieBelga GarnbirringuTheatrical production ‘Dreamtime stories from Aboriginal Elders’
    KalgoorlieEastern Goldfields Community CentreSeniors expo, variety concert and publication
    Kalgoorlie BoulderGoldfields Women’s Health CentreSeniors seminar on health, finance and safety issues
    KambaldaKambalda High SchoolIntergenerational skills sharing and production
    KatanningLions Club of KatanningFour day holiday for hostel residents and young unemployed
    Marble BarMarble Bar Health and Community CentreCommunity barbecue
    Mount MagnetLittle Ducking Child Care CentreIntergenerational community area
    MurrayShire of MurraySeries of events to celebrate diversity and history
    NarroginNarrogin Home and Community Care Services‘Have a go’ day
    Peel RegionSheoak Rehabilitation ServiceLive in workshop for socially disadvantaged or isolated seniors
    PingellyPingelly Community CraftBook ‘Daughters of Pingelly’
    PilbaraPilbara Homecare‘Growing Old in the Pilbara’ seminar and workshops
    Port HedlandTjalka CommunityRecording of traditional stories
    Warakurna, Alice SpringsHealth and Community Centre, WarakurnaInvolving seniors in family groups, monthly bush trips
    Wongan HillsWongan Hills Community Health CentreAdventure based activities including picnics, sport and dances


    Contact details of the winning projects can be obtained from Nic Lanyon at the Office of Seniors Interests on 9220 1104.

    Media contact: Owen Cole 9481 7810