Older Queenslanders shine during Seniors Week

Seniors Week celebrations are in full swing with a range of events and activities being held across the state to recognise the contribution of older Queenslanders.

Seniors Week will run from 15 - 23 August 2015 with the theme of It's on for young & old.

Seniors Minister Coralee O’Rourke today officially launched Seniors Week in Albion at a forum on wellness and active ageing, organised by the Council on the Ageing Queensland (COTAQ), Uniting Care Community, Home Instead Senior Care and the Brisbane Seniors Network.

“Seniors Week is our biggest celebration of older people and the wonderful role they play in our communities,” she said.

“We know that seniors enrich our communities with their wide range of experience and achievements and they are often very involved at a local level.

“It’s important we show them how much we value their contribution.

“I encourage all Queenslanders, both young and old, to get out and about during Seniors Week and take part in the events and activities on offer across the state.”

Minister O’Rourke said the Palaszczuk Government was a strong supporter of Seniors Week.

“We have provided more than $100,000 towards 113 Seniors Week events in Brisbane and activities throughout the state,” she said.

“We’re also proud to have provided funding to COTAQ towards the planning, operation and promotion of Seniors Week in Queensland.

“The Palaszczuk Government committed $56 million in the 2015-16 State Budget to core pensioner concessions, to reverse cuts made by the Federal Coalition Government. 

“Funding will also go towards rebuilding the Office for Seniors, after it was cut by the former LNP Government, establishing a One Stop Shop for seniors and establishing the Advisory Taskforce for Residential Transition for Aging Queenslanders, delivering on election commitments.” 

For more information on the Queensland Government’s support for seniors go to www.qld.gov.au/seniors/

To find a list of events and activities during Seniors Week visit http://cotaqld.org.au/programs_events/seniors-week-2015/

Media Contact:        Minister O’Rourke’s office             3719 7184