Events

May 2010

Information and events the Ambassador for Ageing attended in May, 2010.

7 May - Meeting with Older People's Commissioner for Wales, Ms Ruth Marks

The Older People’s Commissioner for Wales was in Australia, speaking at the International Federation of Ageing Conference in Melbourne. Ms Marks came to Canberra on 7 May to learn more about Australia’s response to our ageing population. This provided an opportunity for Noeline to meet with the Commissioner.

Over lunch Noeline shared with the Commissioner about her role as Australia's first Ambassador for Ageing in promoting positive and healthy ageing and was interested to hear about positive ageing programs in Wales. Noeline then accompanied Ms Marks in a tour of the National Gallery for Australia, where they were able to hear more about initiatives for carers, older people and people living with dementia in the Gallery, including a project funded by the Department of Health and Ageing under the Dementia Community Grant Program. The Gallery is preparing an 'Art and Alzheimer's Training DVD' to assist other galleries across Australia in providing opportunities for people with dementia and their carers to enjoy art exhibitions.

Guest Speaker - Country Women’s Association of NSW – Annual Conference Opening - Port Macquarie – 14 May 2010

Noeline had the privilege of opening the Country Women’s Association (CWA) of NSW’s Annual Conference as the keynote speaker. The conference attracted around 800 delegates.

The Conference theme ‘Shaping our Future’ provided a great platform to highlight the spirit of the CWA - women who are initiators, fighters and lobbyists.

Noeline applauded the role of the volunteers who make up the CWA, acknowledging their important contribution, particularly within regional areas.

Guest Speaker - VIEW Clubs of Australia 50th Anniversary (Melbourne Branch) – Doncaster, Victoria – 20 May 2010

Noeline had the pleasure of speaking to over 200 women at the VIEW Clubs 50th Anniversary. VIEW stands for Voice, Interests and Education of Women. The Club was established as part of the Smith Family with organisations in 400 communities.

Noeline noted that the 50th Anniversary provided a wonderful opportunity to consider the organisation's rich past and to consider the opportunities that are ahead.

Guest Speaker - Memory Bank Cultural Media – Casula, NSW – 22 May 2010

Noeline was invited to launch Memory Bank Cultural Media at the Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre. The project was undertaken to capture extensive oral history from older residents coupled with photography, focusing on the south west Sydney to establish digital archives for future generations.

Noeline noted the importance of capturing the life stories of older Australians and encouraged other communities to develop programs such as this, as a way of honouring the past and bringing the past into the future.





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