Events
October 2012
Information and photos from events the Ambassador for Ageing attended in October 2012
Little Bay Coast Centre for Seniors Open Day - 21 October 2012
The Little Bay Coast Centre for Seniors has a membership of around 800 people and many of them attended the Open Day and participated in the activities."I was so pleased to see so many stalls where older people were show casing or selling the delightful things they had made, including beautiful hand made embroidered cushions, teddy bears as well as artworks," Noeline said.
During her visit at the Centre Noeline participated in a line dancing demonstration, but she was laughing so much she missed a few of the steps. "Fortunately no-one seemed to care that I was a few steps out of time because they knew I was really enjoying myself participating in the activity, and that's the most important thing," she said.
During her presentation Noeline said that participating in a wide range of activities, as well as exercise, is important in ensuring health in later years.
"Since becoming Ambassador I have become very aware of the lifestyle factors that contribute to chronic diseases, such as smoking, excessive drinking, lack of physical exercise and obesity, so a big part of my role is to encourage older people to undertake regular physical activity, which is not only good for our body and mind but it also builds muscle," Noeline said.
"Keeping active is also really helpful in terms of managing weight, blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, pain as well as bone and joint problems, such as arthritis and osteoporosis. It also reduces the risk of heart disease, stroke, some cancers and helps to prevent falls and injury.
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Get Active New England (G.A.N.E) Luncheon - 18 October 2012
The Get Active New England(G.A.N.E) program, which has been running for the past 18 months, was developed to help build the independence and dignity of older people and those with a disability through increasing strength and improving balance.As part of this push to improve the health and well being of older people and those with a disability, establishing inter-generational links between younger and older people was identified during a consultation meeting on the Ageing Strategy presented by the NSW Government earlier this year.
With this in mind, a dedicated team of people from the G.A.N.E. Program decided to organise an event where both young and old could participate in music and dance in a social setting, and they invited the Ambassador to join in on the fun.
"As the Ambassador for Ageing I think it is very important older people mix with younger people," Noeline said. "Older people enjoy the vitality of young people and young people will certainly benefit from the wisdom of senior Australians."
The event was held at a local High School and Noeline was very impressed with the sACtudents who not only attended the function, but also catered for the event, waited on the tables and provided entertainment.
Noeline finished her speech by sharing something important with the students who attended the event. "To all the young people here today – I know you can’t believe it right now but you will be old one day – it is an inevitable part of life - so start looking after your health now because it is likely you will live to a great age so you need to make sure your older years are free from illness and full of love and laughter."
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Seniors Morning Tea hosted by Luke Donnellan MP (Member for Narree Warren North, Victoria) - 15 October 2012
The Ambassador for Ageing was a guest speaker at a seniors morning tea hosted by the Member for Narree Warren North in Victoria, the Hon Luke Donnellan MP.The event was an annual social gathering for local seniors to mix and meet new people as well as gain relevant news and information.
Noeline addressed guests about the importance of healthy active ageing, staying engaged in the community and remaining physically and mentally active.
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Palliative and Supportive Services, Flinders University – Launch of end of life materials - 12 October 2012
The Ambassador for Ageing, Ms Noeline Brown, gave an opening address for the launch of a set of online resources that will help support those working in residential aged care facilities in providing end of life care for their residents. The event took place at the Sandhurst Private Residential Care facility in Daw Park, Adelaide.A variety of people attended the event, including residents, staff, researchers and clinicians from aged care and palliative care sectors, as well as the Minister for Mental Health and Ageing, the Hon Mark Butler MP.
The Ambassador spoke about the importance of this resource for residents and their families, how it can alleviate some of the stress associated with palliative issues and provide a better opportunity for families to enjoy the time they have left with their loved one.
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U3A Kyneton (Victoria) - Seniors Week Luncheon - 9 October 2012
The Ambassador for Ageing was a guest speaker at the University of the Third Age (U3A) in Kyneton Victoria for their Seniors Week Luncheon. U3A Kyneton is a voluntary organisation of mature age people enjoying learning and activities, keeping mentally and physically active and alert.Ms Brown spoke about the role of the Ambassador for Ageing as well as the challenges and opportunities presented by an ageing population. Noeline also took the opportunity to update attendees about the Advisory Panel on the Economic Potential of Senior Australians; “the role of the Panel is to raise awareness and lead a national dialog on ageing issues”.
The Ambassador finished her address by promoting the advantages of being physically and socially active. “Ageing is inevitable and our third age can be just as fabulous a time as the other stages of our lives” said Ms Brown.
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Welcome to Macedon Rangers Morning Tea - 9 October 2012
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Victorian Health Department – Seniors Week Festival Hub celebrations - 8 October 2012
On 8 October 2012, Ms Noeline Brown, Ambassador for Ageing was a guest speaker at Seniors Week Festival Hub celebrations for the Victorian Health Department.The Victorian Seniors Festival is a week-long celebration for older Victorians each year. Held state-wide, events and activities take place across all Victorian councils to celebrate and acknowledge the contribution of older people.
Noeline spoke on the importance of having an ageing population which is healthy, active and involved. “One of the really important aims of my role is to encourage older Australians to remain active, both physically and as contributors to society” said Ms Brown.
The Ambassador also noted that as we age our ability to absorb some nutrients becomes less efficient. The Seniors Festival included good eating events such as lunches and cooking demonstrations state-wide and Festival hubs in Bendigo and Ballarat.
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City of Wodonga – Seniors Week Luncheon - 7 October 2012
To coincide with the 2012 Victorian Seniors Festival, the City of Wodonga hosted events to celebrate the rich contributions made by the local senior community. The Ambassador for Ageing attended the City of Wodonga Seniors Week Luncheon as a guest speaker on 7 October 2012.As Ambassador for Ageing, Ms Brown promotes eating well and staying active. “Because older Australians often eat less it is very important to eat a variety of nutritious foods to make sure you get enough vitamins, minerals and dietary fibre. Eating a range of foods like vegetables, fruits, breads and cereals, legumes, lean meat, fish, poultry or meat alternatives, dairy and water every day is essential to good health” said Noeline.
As part of Seniors Week, Noeline celebrated healthy eating with Wodonga seniors; “eating well is just as important as staying active. In fact, all the benefits of exercise can be undone by a poor diet. A good diet, combined with physical and social activity is the best recipe for health as we age”.
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OPSO Awards 2012 - 1 October 2012
The Ambassador for Ageing was a guest speaker at the Older People Speak Out (OPSO) National Media and People’s Choice Awards in Brisbane on 1 October 2012. Also attending was the Minister for Mental Health and Ageing, the Hon Mark Butler MP.The OPSO Awards celebrated their 19th year in 2012. The awards encourage media to help break down the negative stereotypes of older people by portraying the positive contributions older Australians make to our society.
The Awards were well attended and Noeline enjoyed viewing the entries and meeting the winners over the course of the evening. Ms Brown recognised the synergies between her role as Ambassador for Ageing and OPSO, which has a core message of positive ageing.
Older People Speak Out (OPSO) is an all-volunteer group of retired and semi-retired professionals who advocate on behalf of Seniors – Australians aged over 50.
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COTA Tasmania – Launch of Seniors Week - 1 October 2012
Ms Noeline Brown, Ambassador for Ageing, presented an opening address at the launch of the Council on the Ageing (COTA) Tasmania Seniors Week. COTA Tasmania has been the voice of older Tasmanians for 60 years.Seniors Week 2012 was a great success, with a record 270 events around the state ranging from information sessions to boating adventures to line dancing to Laser Skirmish in Launceston.
Ms Brown delivered an address to the 90 guests attending the launch of Seniors Week, including some anecdotes about her close friendship with fellow entertainer/actor, the late Graeme Kennedy.
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