SENIORS, COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

Ms FOX (Bright) (14:17): My question is to the Minister for Ageing. What is the government doing to assist seniors to engage with their communities?

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL (Cheltenham—Minister for Families and Communities, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation, Minister for Housing, Minister for Ageing, Minister for Disability, Minister Assisting the Premier in Cabinet Business and Public Sector Management) (14:18): I thank the honourable member for her question, and acknowledge her powerful advocacy on behalf of older people within her electorate. Recently 70 organisations were advised that their applications were successful in obtaining either a Positive Ageing Development Grant or a Grant for Seniors, which aim to help older South Australians stay involved in their local communities. Nearly $400,000 will be distributed to these organisations.

An honourable member interjecting:

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL: That's right; you are almost in the cohort. It is important to provide support for older people so that they do not become isolated and marginalised—and once again, it could very well be you we are talking about—but are involved in their community. It is enormously beneficial for their health and wellbeing to be connected to the broader community, and providing grants of this type also recognises the value that will bring to communities.

These grants help ensure older people play an active role in their communities, and will help community groups which receive funding to keep these older South Australians involved in a diverse range of activities. The largest grant, of $50,000, goes to COTA for its 'Every Generation' celebration in October, which is a showcase of seniors' contributions throughout the state. Grants for Seniors help organisations with smaller tasks, such as buying equipment or paying for instructors to run activities.

Some of the organisations set to benefit from the Positive Ageing Development Grants this round include $24,400 to the Coonalpyn Communications Network for a variety of activities which provide an avenue to develop social contact for older people; $7,800 for the Council of Aboriginal Elders of South Australia to showcase the cultural talents of Aboriginal elders across the state; $24,026 to Country North Community Services in Clare for a second-hand caravan or bus to be fitted out to create a mobile activities vehicle for remote towns in the region; and $11,680 to the Police Station and Old Courthouse Museum in Strathalbyn for older people to share their knowledge, experience and skills.

Funding through Grants for Seniors has been given to Lower North Health in Burra in the form of $4,547 for power and hand tools and safety equipment to help equip a community shed. The Council for Aboriginal Elders of South Australia in Port Lincoln received $2,250 for a whiteboard, cupboard and kitchen equipment. These seem like small matters but they enable older South Australians, whose health and wellbeing can suffer if they remain isolated in their own homes, to get out and enjoy fellowship with other South Australians, develop their skills and participate in the broader community.