Events
August 2012
Information and photos from events the Ambassador for Ageing attended in August 2012
Launch of Seniors Week Luncheon - Yeppoon - 19 August 2012
Noeline loved the name given to the luncheon to celebrate the launch of Seniors Weeks in Yeppoon, Queensland - 'Positively Ageless'."What a great event title," Noeline said. "My role is all about encouraging older Australians to age positively so the name of the event really resonated with me."
Noeline talked about her role and what the aims of the Ambassador for Ageing Program is all about.
She also talked about the impact of incontinence in Australia.
"Around four million Australians are affected by incontinence and it becomes more common as we age," Noeline said.
"I know it's considered an embarrassing issue but we need to talk about it because it's vital we keep our pelvic floor muscles strong as we age, not just because it helps with bladder and bowel control but it also helps with sexual function in both men and women.
"Pelvic floor muscle exercises should be a part of our daily life and you don't even need to get on the floor to do them," Noeline said.
The Australian Government has a great website which provides information about pelvic floor muscle exercises - for more information please visit www.bladderbowel.gov.au
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Glitz and Glamour Supper Dance - Rockhampton - 18 August 2012
As part of celebrating Senior's Week in Rockhampton a group of energetic seniors and a team of young people organised a Glitz and Glamour Supper Dance.The event was held in a large community hall and was attended by hundreds of well groomed and stylishly dressed seniors. The room was beautifully decorated and there was a band who spent the night entertaining the guests.
Noeline had a wonderful time at the supper dance and during her speech she congratulated the organisers for putting on an event that involved dancing. "Prior to the event, some people were wondering how they were going to get the seniors up to dance, but as soon as the music started the dance floor was full of people," Noeline said. "Dancing is such a fabulous and fun way of being physically active, and when I was on Dancing with the Stars I learned that ballroom dancing helps maintain and improve balance, which is really important as we age."
"This is what Seniors Week is all about. Celebrating all it means to be an older Australian in a social setting among friends and other community members," Noeline said.
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Garden Party at Shalom - Rockhampton - 18 August 2012
Every year the Queensland Baptist Care Friends of Shalom hosts a Garden Party to celebrate Seniors Week. The event not only provides an opportunity for seniors to enjoy themselves, but it also allows them to mix with younger people in a fun social environment.Noeline's speech focussed on the importance of staying connected to life. "Attending events like this is a wonderful thing. It keeps us connected to our communities and it is a great social outing," Noeline said.
Noeline also talked about eHealth and how important it is to sign up for this important initiative. "eHealth is about putting your medical records on-line with the Australian Government's electronic health records system," she said. "In the future this initiative will make our health care system so much better and more effective, and it is particularly beneficial for older Australians."
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Seniors Mini Olympics Rockhampton - 17 August 2012
Noeline was invited along to the Seniors Mini Olympics event in Rockhampton to celebrate Seniors Week.The aim of the event was to celebrate seniors in a fun and entertaining way. The organisers put together some really fun games for seniors to compete in - such as javelin using a foam throwing device and discus using a round paper plate.
Noeline had a few throws of the discus but her paper plate went backwards so after a few attempts she laughingly disqualified herself.
"A wonderful time was had by both spectators and competitors," Noeline said. "I didn't do very well in the discus event but I did laugh a lot which is really good for us as we age."
During her speech, Noeline gave a few tips about how to live a long and happy life:
- Eat a healthy and balanced diet
- Cut down on fatty and sugary foods
- Give up smoking
- Don’t consume too much alcohol
- Be active
- Stay connected to life
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Campbelltown City Council Live Better Health Expo - 1 August 2012
Hundreds of people braved the cold morning to attend the Campbelltown City Council's Live Better Health Expo.The event was held at a local leisure centre which was the perfect venue for such an important community event.
There were many information booths from the community and government sectors which provided lots of beneficial information about what is available to older people to help them age well.
Noeline even got to make herself a healthy smoothie drink by peddling fast on a bike set up to blend delicious fruit cocktails. "What a fun and fabulous way to make yourself a delicious drink. But you needed to peddle quite vigorously for your smoothie to come lump free," Noeline said.
During Noeline's speech she urged people to participate in the Australian Government's National Bowel Cancer Screening Program if they got a test kit in the mail. "Bowel cancer takes the lives of so many Australians and this simple test is a really important way of detecting the cancer early, which has the potential of saving lives."
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Living Longer. Living Better Aged Care Conference - Adelaide - 6 August 2012
The Living Longer, Living Better Aged Care Conference attracted around 1,000 delegates from all around Australia and it was considered a great success by everyone involved with the event.The first day of the conference focussed on the Living Longer. Living Better aged care reforms. Minister Butler opened the conference and gave an overview of what the reforms mean to the aged care sector.
Noeline was asked to attend the conference and talk about the Ambassador for Ageing role and what she does to promote healthy active ageing and engender respect for older people.
Noeline finished her speech by acknowledging the great work the aged care sector does in looking after older Australians, particularly those who are frail and vulnerable.
"Thank you for all you do. Your work does not go unnoticed, even if you feel it does at times. You are what is good about the world - your dedication to older people is a wonderful thing and the impact you have made in the lives of so many older Australians is outstanding," Noeline said.
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