1/10/05
Western Australia’s fastest growing population sector will be celebrated as part of the International Day of Older People and the National Day for Older Australians today.
The special day also heralds a week of celebrations during WA’s BankWest Seniors Week from October 23 to 30.
“Our seniors deserve to be celebrated and applauded for their contribution to their families and society,” said Seniors’ Minister Bob Kucera.
“We have 316,000 seniors in WA and that number is increasing rapidly and by 2051, seniors will comprise 33 per cent of our population.
“The ageing of our population is something to celebrate and presents our State with great opportunities.”
The Minister said WA celebrated the contribution our older people had made with Seniors Week as part of our policy of improving the quality of services and recognition of Western Australians, wherever they lived.
Seniors contributed enormously to our State through their continued participation in the workforce, through volunteer work and by providing family and community support and care.
“We have seniors who are raising their grandchildren, acting as mentors to school children and running community-based art and literacy programs,” Mr Kucera said.
“The scope of activities in which they are involved and their ongoing achievements are incredibly inspiring.”
The achievements of WA’s seniors will be officially recognised at the 2005 WA Seniors Awards Gala Ceremony, on October 30.
The awards recognise the contribution seniors make to the WA community and are supported by BankWest, St. Louis Estate, The Western Australian Senior, Woolworths Supermarkets, SkyWest, Have-a-Go News, The West Australian, Channel Nine Perth, Newstalk 882 6PR, WIN Television WA and Council on the Ageing (WA).
Minister's office: 9213 7000
