GOLDEN GURUS TO GIVE COMMUNITY SECTOR THE MIDAS TOUCH

Premier Anna Bligh today announced funding of $107,136 for Volunteering Queensland to drive the Golden Gurus project across the State, connecting older Queenslanders with non-government organisations.

The Golden Gurus concept was the brainchild of Ernie Peralta who had a vision of older people using their business nous to support Australia’s community groups and small business sector.

Mr Peralta, 76, of Chapel Hill, pitched his Golden Gurus concept to the national 2020 Ideas Summit in April – and it was named one of the top 40 ideas to follow up.

“Ernie had a vision to capitalise on the knowledge, skills and experience of our Golden Gurus and, at the same time, provide organisations with mentoring, advice, support and assistance on management, business, training or non-business issues,” Ms Bligh said.

“Ernie’s concept just makes really good sense and I am very pleased to support it.

“The Golden Gurus project will harness people power so community organisations can benefit from tapping into the wisdom, knowledge and experience of our seniors.”

Communities Minister Lindy Nelson-Carr said the funding would enable Volunteering Queensland to employ Ernie Peralta as a special adviser and work with a coordinator to drive a range of volunteering opportunities for seniors.

“Volunteers are our social glue, and our seniors are up there with the best of them,” Ms Nelson-Carr said.

“In monetary terms, Queenslanders over 65 contribute more than $953 million a year in unpaid volunteer work.

“Data from 2006 shows more than 133,250 Queenslanders aged 65 years and over took part in some form of voluntary work, and there are many more people out there with transferable skills who would benefit from sharing their expertise with someone else.

“Volunteering gives people access to social networks, opportunities for learning and development, an improved sense of physical and mental wellbeing, and a sense of purpose, which some people lose when they reach retirement.

“Golden Gurus is a great concept and I encourage seniors and organisations to get on board.”

Volunteering Queensland receives annual funding of more than $345,000 to provide community education, training, advice and referral to support volunteering activities across the State as well as maintain Volbase – the online volunteer and organisation matching database.

“The Golden Gurus project also directly supports the Bligh Government’s Toward Q2: Tomorrow’s Queensland target of increasing the number of people involved in volunteering by 50 per cent,” Ms Nelson-Carr said.

For more information, contact Volunteering Queensland on 3002 7600 or via www.volqld.org.au

Media Contact: Minister Nelson-Carr’s Office – 32325 4280