POSITIVE AGEING

Ms BEDFORD (Florey) (14:24): Thank you, Madam Speaker. My question is to the Minister for Health and Ageing. Can the minister tell the house how the government is supporting senior South Australians to be involved with and connected to their community?

The Hon. J.D. HILL (Kaurna—Minister for Health and Ageing, Minister for Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Minister for the Arts) (14:24): Members may or may not be aware that the government is offering $390,000 worth of grants to sponsor projects by community groups and organisations which will help senior South Australians to participate in their community. I would encourage members to find out about these grants and to advocate on behalf of their communities and to encourage their communities to take advantage of these grants.

The funding rounds for Grants for Seniors and the Positive Ageing Development Grants opened on 7 July (last Saturday). These grants are about supporting senior South Australians to stay active, maintain and build independence and foster connections with their communities. They are provided to a whole range of organisations in the community that promote choices and opportunities for senior people to take part in their communities. They include cultural activities; education, training and arts bodies; as well as volunteer, self-help, recreational and sporting organisations—so it is right across the board.

Grants for Seniors provides funding of up to $5,000 per grant and these are targeted at helping community organisations purchase exercise and recreational equipment, and craft materials and other such items. These grants make huge differences to the ability of small community organisations to engage with older South Australians and to encourage their active participation. I understand that in past years Grants for Seniors has supported a whole range of things, including IT for Seniors at the Mount Barker Family House Incorporated and Senior Muscles, a project by the Booleroo Centre Community Development and Tourism Association; and the Rotary Club of Largs Bay received a grant for a wheelchair and walking frame restoration project.

Through the Positive Ageing Development Grants, South Australian community organisations can access grants up to $25,000 over a one-year period for projects reflecting the following themes: enabling choice and independence; participation and learning; and positive perceptions. All these themes are aligned to the priority actions in the Improving with Age—Our Ageing Plan for South Australia. I encourage members to find out about these grants and encourage the organisations in their electorates to apply for some of them.