Branch News
October 2014
From the CEO
Later this year National Seniors will
release new research which measures the
contribution of older Australians to the nation.
This important research will measure the
contribution of older people in many facets of
life, including in the workplace, volunteering,
care giving in the family and the community,
and in civic life.
The research is timely given the increasingly
unreasonable commentary about older
Australians being a drain on society now and
in the future.
I expect that the research will confirm
what most would anticipate - that older
Australians are major contributors to family,
the community, society generally and to the
economy.
The other notable characteristic of older
Australians is the support provided to
charitable endeavours. The causes and
charities come in all shapes and sizes,
incredibly diverse, and are all worthy.
Many of our branches are also committed
to supporting local charities. An additional
number work at hosting events to improve
community relations.
This is one of the great strengths of the
National Seniors’ community and something
to be saluted and recognised as a contribution
by older Australians to the community.
Best wishes
Michael O’Neill
Chief executive
View this newsletter online at nationalseniors.com.au/branchnews
Six months free
membership on offer
Six months free membership is on offer for
members who invite a friend or family member to
join before November.
National Seniors believes it is time to build a
nation that embraces every generation and
recognises the positive contribution older
Australians make in our lives, in our workplaces
and in our communities.
If you know friends and family who want to help
us build a nation for all ages and would enjoy
the benefits of being a National Seniors member,
suggest they join today.
If they join before 30 November with promotional
code, NFAA2014, you’ll both get six months extra
membership free!
You can also help us build a nation for all ages by
making a donation to National Seniors to maintain
our strong, independent voice and fight on the
issues that count such as age discrimination,
employment, superannuation, pensions, health
care and aged care.
Don’t forget that as a National Seniors Australia
member, you have access to an exclusive range
of benefits and services. Check out the National
Seniors Australia website to keep up to date with
all the latest member benefits and competitions!
It’s also filled with great articles on a range of
topics, the latest news on issues affecting the
over-50s and the latest developments from our
policy team.
Thanks to Great Southern Rail and National
Seniors Travel, we’re giving away two one-way
Gold Service tickets to one lucky member for a
trip on the spectacular Ghan or Indian Pacific.
You’ll see the country from a unique perspective
as you discover Australia by train from coast to
outback. Entries close on 30 November 2014.
Visit nationalseniors.com.au/competitions
to enter.
National Seniors is giving away two one-way Gold
Service tickets to one lucky member for a trip on
the spectacular Ghan or Indian Pacific.
You can also take advantage of some of our most
popular member offers including saving up to five
per cent on your groceries and petrol by prepurchasing gift cards online and an ongoing six
per cent discount on nib private health cover when
paying by direct debit from a cheque or savings
account, and 30 days of health cover for free after
paying your first month’s premium. This has saved
members hundreds of dollars throughout the year.
To ensure you’re not missing out on any of our
special member benefits and news, make sure
your email address is up-to-date, like us on
Facebook or follow us on Twitter.
If you have any questions about your membership,
call our friendly team on 1300 76 50 50.
Insurance update
Members who purchase a new National Seniors
home or landlord insurance policy before
31 October go into the draw to win a Sony
entertainment pack valued at $6,000 each.
The pack includes a 50” Smart TV, 3D Blu Ray
DVD Player, PS4, Digital Video Camera, Premium
Sound bar, SLR Camera, Tablet Xperia Z2 &
Docking Station.
In addition, during the campaign members can
receive 12 months insurance for the price of
11 months and receive great cover with ‘new for
old replacement’ available on policies purchased.
Contact National Seniors Insurance on
1300 50 50 99 for a quote.
nationalseniors.com.au
QUEENSLAND
Queensland PAG report
Queensland
Zone and Branch
update
Branches have just completed Seniors Week
in Queensland. A number of branches took
advantage of the Queensland Government
funding and held magnificent high teas,
brunches and lunches with professional
entertainment.
The functions were advertised widely and
attracted many members and non-members.
It was wonderful to see so many people having a
positive National Seniors experience. A number
of the functions had over 100 in attendance with
Caloundra over 200; this was nearly five times
the numbers of normal meetings.
I was able to attend three functions during
Seniors Week at the Forest Lake and Caloundra
branches and have a display and speak at a
senior’s organisation, Burnie Brae, on Brisbane’s
north side. Their celebrations had a fitting title,
“Aged to Perfection”. Congratulations to all the
branches who held activities.
In 2015 consumers will face major changes in
the way electricity is supplied, measured and
paid for, all of which will affect consumers.
At present, when you sign a contract with a
service provider for a fixed term and at a fixed
price, you expect this agreement will continue.
But often this is not the case, the term may be
safe, but the price is not.
National Seniors, along with other consumer
groups, have proposed changes which would
prohibit price changing during energy contracts.
National Seniors and the PAG have participated
over many months in workshops with the
Electricity and Consumer and Industry Group on
issues impacting the future delivery of electricity
Branch News
Albany Creek
We have a number of interest groups (some
numbers are limited) including reading, exercise,
craft, photography, golf, coffee, dining out and
movies. The golf club currently has 19 members
and conducts two championships in January
and July. The Happy Snappers photography club
also has various competitions. Contact numbers
for the convenors are in our newsletter and on
our website www.nsaalbanycreek.org.au. Albany
Creek branch meets on the second Friday of
each month at the Albany Creek Community
Centre, Ernie St, Albany Creek, at 5:30pm for
6pm start. Contact Len 3264 1509.
Buderim
Branch AGMs have also been completed this
month. AGMs are an opportunity to review
and refocus. My challenge at many AGMs was
to encourage members to do more of this by
reviewing what we do at each branch and
refocussing to ensure what we offer is what
our members want.
My constant encouragement is for all branches
to undertake community activities to ensure
National Seniors Australia is being recognised
and more seniors have the opportunity to
join us.
We must always remember the stronger our
membership is, the greater our impact. This
will be evident in Queensland soon as we have
an election early next year which is another
opportunity for our voice to be heard.
Mark Furness
National Branch and Zone
Relationship Manager
2
at the state level. National Seniors’ continues to
voice concerns that consumer protections are
being eroded in many spheres.
In other news, members living in retirement
villages, or considering the move to a retirement
village, have been waiting for some time to see
what changes will occur with the review of the
Retirement Villages Act (1999).
A further paper has been released for public
consultation. There will be a six-week period for
responses. View the consultation paper here:
www.hpw.qld.gov.au
Vera Somerwil
On behalf of the Policy Advisory Group,
Queensland
Buderim branch committee members.
Buderim branch recently had our AGM where
we farewelled three retiring executive committee
members: Jenny Williams, Max Percival and
Dallas Hopping. The new executive committee
was elected: Graham Kruck, Joe Pilarski, Pam
Chadwick and Jacqui Lollback. Contact John
5456 1370.
Cairns Tropical
Branch meets on the third Thursday of each
month at Cominos House, 27 Greenslopes
Street at 7pm. In September we had a Daintree
bus tour to DFO, Marlin Coast Men’s Shed,
Mossman Markets, lunch at High Falls Farm, a
visit to Hoglund Glass Studio for a glass blowing
demonstration and a tour to Thala Beach Resort
for afternoon tea. Contact Bob 4093 0328.
Calamvale
We recently received media coverage in the
Balonne Beacon, a newspaper in St George,
Queensland, about our efforts to assist in
helping drought affected landholders and
families across the region. The article stated:
“A delivery of food, toiletries and homewares
has arrived in St George to assist droughtaffected landholders and families across the
region. The drought relief project was organised
by the Calamvale National Seniors, Forest Lake
National Seniors and the National Malaya and
Borneo Veterans Association Australia, which
made its first port of call in St George last Friday.
Calamvale branch vice-president, David Brewer,
was a key organiser of the relief packages
and said the idea began around a bush poem.
“Gary Fogarty wrote a poem called Every Day
We Bleed about the drought being experienced
by huge acres of Australia.” Mr Brewer said. “I
read it at a (seniors association) meeting and
we decided that we wanted to come out west
and do what we could to help.” Mr Brewer said
the drought being experienced by 80 per cent of
Queensland is often forgotten in cities. There’s
an awareness of the drought in the city but also
a forgetfulness. People live busy lives, older
people are the ones who have the time to think
about it,” he said. Donations were dispersed
from Care Balonne in St George, with further
deliveries made throughout the Balonne Shire.
Branch meets at Algester Sports Club (Bowls
Club), 41 Endiandra Street, Algester on the first
Wednesday of the month at 10am. Contact
Pamela 3286 7727.
QUEENSLAND
Caloundra
Caloundra branch members enjoying a high tea.
Caloundra City branch hosted a very successful
high tea in August. Over 200 attended with
pictures and a write up in The Courier Mail.
Meetings are held at the Currimundi Hotel,
32 Buderim Steet, Currimundi on the second
Tuesday of the month at 9:30am. Contact Fran
5444 8347.
Chermside
Garden City Toowoomba
Nerang
October is traditionally our last trip for the year.
This year we will head out to some historic spots
on the Darling Downs. Lunch will commence
at 10am and finish at 3pm with some beautiful
scenery and wonderful old buildings in between.
At our November meeting we ask members to
write a short story on some aspect of their life.
The last event will be our Christmas party on
Monday 24 November. Contact Hazel
4635 4519.
Branch meets every fourth Wednesday of the
month at 5pm for 5:30pm start. Meetings are
held at AllSports Club, Leagues Club Drive,
Nerang. Evening meetings are held to encourage
participation by those members still in the
workforce. We are seeking new members
and welcome all over 50s. As well as monthly
meetings and regular daytime activities such as
card/scrabble mornings we also do lunches and
bus trips. Contact Kathy 5574 4502.
Gladstone
Paradise Point
In October is an excursion to see The Lion King
in Brisbane and the annual Christmas party will
be held on 10 December. Planning is taking
place for next year’s big trip to Darwin and
surrounds. Branch meets at the Gladstone
Golf Club on the third Tuesday of each month
from 9am for a 9:45am start. Contact Fay
4972 2821 or Roy 4978 2898.
Coming up is a BBQ lunch at Santa Barbara
on Hope Island in October and a breakfast in
November. The retiring committee was reelected for another year at our 12th birthday.
We had a great general meeting and AGM
recently with 52 attending and four new
members. Branch meets on the second Monday
of each month at the Paradise Point Bowls Club
at 9:30am for 10am start with a social activity
on the fourth Monday of the month. Contact
Bruce or Michelle 5577 2387.
Gympie
Rochedale Springwood
Chermside branch committee member Roy
Wilkes was recognised for his 21 years of
service at the recent AGM.
At the branch AGM in August Roy Wilkes was
recognised for his 21 years of service on the
club management committee. Roy has held
several positions including two periods as
president and two as vice president. The branch
meets at the Chermside Bowls Club, 468 Rode
Road, Chermside on the third Thursday of the
month at 10am. Contact Roy 3359 6507.
Jan Ace, Linda Osmond, Kathleen Murphy and
Kath Batt from the Gympie branch enjoying the
sunshine for morning tea on the way to Birches
Restaurant for Christmas in July.
Gympie branch had an interesting and exciting
time in the last three months. We are looking
forward to a trip to the Bundaberg Rum tour and
tasting. Meetings are held at the Orchid Room,
Gympie RSL, on the second Thursday of the
month at 10:30am finishing with a two-course
lunch. We are hosting the zone Christmas party at
the end of November. Contact Jan 5482 3469.
The 15 October guest speaker will be Tracey
from PCYC about the ‘Braking the Cycle’
program designed to help young people with
a Learners Licence who are struggling to
complete their logbook hours because of lack of
access to a vehicle or supervisor. On 22 October
is a guided tour of St John’s and St Stephen’s
Cathedrals. On 19 November is the final
meeting for the year and entertainment will be
supplied by BoomBaby. On 26 November is our
Christmas luncheon and final function for 2014
at The Glen Hotel. Contact Charles 3208 2387.
Cleveland
We received media coverage in the Redlands
City Bulletin on Wednesday 30 July. It also
mentioned that Cleveland branch recently
celebrated its 25th anniversary at the Redlands
RSL. President Peter Neale has been a member
of National Seniors for about 26 years. Day
and weekend trips take place throughout the
year and morning teas with guest speakers are
held monthly. Cleveland branch meets at the
Redlands RSL on the third Friday of the month in
the Gallipoli Room, 8 Passage Street, Cleveland.
Contact Peter 3207 0348.
Paradise Point branch’s 2014 committee.
3
NEW SOUTH WALES AND AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY
ACT PAG members wanted
New South Wales and
Australian Capital Territory
State Office news
Members with an interest in policy are being
invited to join the ACT Policy Advisory Group.
Seniors lobbying activities in the ACT we want
to hear from you.
Policy Advisory Groups (PAGs) provide
member perspectives on issues of relevance
to the over 50s.
Find out more about what PAGs do at
nationalseniors.com.au/be-involved/policyadvisory-groups.
National Seniors is looking for people from the
ACT to restart the PAG.
If you would like to use your experience and
qualifications and have direct input to National
The zone chair of ACT & Southern NSW,
Margaret Flett, is seeking members to restart
the ACT PAG. To show your interest in joining,
contact Margaret on 0412 066 227 or email
[email protected].
Branch News
Randwick Botany branch president Ron Wood
receiving a National Seniors Member Service
Award for recognition of his service.
During August I had the pleasure of presenting
another Member Service Award, the second
for NSW, to the president of Randwick Botany
branch, Ron Wood.
In addition to holding president and vice
president positions for the past 14 years, Ron
has actively devoted much of his personal time
to the development and success of this branch.
Outside his National Seniors’ activities, Ron
was invited to become a member of the Older
Persons Advisory Committee established by
the Randwick City Council. In this position he
has been instrumental in voicing the concerns
of seniors and encouraging Council to make
improvements to local facilities to benefit
seniors. Ron is a worthy recipient of the Member
Service Award. Congratulations.
National Seniors was once again an exhibitor at
the Retirement and Lifestyle Expos in Canberra
during May and Sydney in July. We also
participated in 11 of the NSW Local Government
Superannuation forums around NSW.
Events like these allow us to speak directly to
attendees about the work that our organisation
does and the benefits that come from
membership. Both events saw us bring in new
memberships for National Seniors and branches.
As members, we should all task ourselves with
bringing in new memberships. Our friends,
family and next-door neighbours can all benefit
as we do now.
Most branches would have held their AGM in
the past couple of months. Congratulations to
the new committees. I look forward to working
with you and your zone chairs in the next 12
months. The new presidents should make sure
they advise head office of the new committee
members.
Phil McLeod
State membership coordinator
4
Albury
Upcoming events
15 October – Wonga Wetlands for a 1.2 or 3km
walk and talk including morning tea.
Our monthly meetings are held on the second
Wednesday of the month at 10am at the Albury
Club, Kiewa St, Albury.
Branch meets every fourth Wednesday of the
month at 10am for a greet and cuppa before
the meeting. Branch meets at the Uniting
Church Hall in Kitchener Parade, Bankstown
(opposite Aldi car park). Contact Brian or Cheryl
9773 9987 or Judith 9759 8291 for outings
information.
Canberra North
Central Coast Wyong
ACT members from both Canberra North and
Canberra South branches enjoyed a successful
Christmas in July function at the Gold Creek
Resort recently.
Upcoming activities
Friday 17 October – Day trip to Joadja and
Berrima from 7:30am
Thursday 13 November – Monthly meeting
at 10am at Southern Cross Club Jamison.
Guest speaker is Marlena Jeffery speaking
on her experiences as wife of the former
Governor-General
Thursday 18 December – Christmas lunch at
12noon at Yowani Country Club.
There is no meeting in December. Next meeting
is Thursday 8 January 2015.
Canberra North branch meets on the second
Thursday of each month (except December) at
the Canberra Southern Cross Club Jamison at
10am. Contact John 02 6259 2415.
Canterbury Bankstown
Branch members celebrated the 17th birthday
of the branch with a luncheon at Josephine’s
Restaurant in the Napoleon Hotel, Riverwood.
Upcoming activities
October – A visit to the Tramway Museum
at Loftus
November – Luncheon at Harbord Diggers Club
12 December – Christmas lunch and show at
the Burning Log at Bankstown Paceway.
Upcoming activities:
28 October – Performance by Barry Kennedy
from the Central Coast Country Music
Association
25 November – Astronomer John Stevenson is
the guest speaker.
Our monthly meetings are held every fourth
Tuesday of the month at our new venue, the
Canton Beach Sports Club, Hibbard Street
Toukley at 1:45pm for 2pm start.
Coffs Coast
Our branch plans include a civil celebrant
talking to us in October and a guest speaker
talking on hypnotherapy in November. The
social program includes a bus/car trip to Minnie
Waters in October, a breakfast at the surf club in
November and a Christmas lunch in December.
Meetings are held on the second Wednesday
of each month (except January) at 11am at
the Coffs Ex-Services Club at 10:30am for
a cuppa and a chat. The Coffs Coast branch
encompasses the Bellinger and Nambucca
Valleys and the Northern Beaches as well as
Coffs Harbour itself. Current and prospective
members and visitors are always welcome.
Contact Pete 6655 5001, Liz 6654 0659,
Linley 6658 4922 or Ann 6653 6668.
Drummoyne
In October we are hiring a bus to take us to
Wollongong via the coast road with a tour
of Wollongong and lunch at a local club. In
November we are having another lunch at Ryde
Tafe. Meetings are held on the first Wednesday
at 10:30am each month (except January) at
Ryde RSL Club, 4 Linsley St, Gladesville. Visitors
welcome. Contact John 9181 2245.
NEW SOUTH WALES AND AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY
Hunter Valley
Marjorie Sumner has given 14 years of service
to the Hunter Valley branch.
We were very happy to present Marjorie Sumner
with a small gift to thank her for 14 years of
dedicated service to our branch. In the inaugural
year, she took over as president and continued
in various positions on the committee as well
as serving as Zone 118 chair. Marjorie is still
secretary of our branch and we really value her
contribution.
In November, we are going on a 12-day trip
to Tasmania. We have our final committee
meeting in December with lunch to follow.
We meet on the fourth Tuesday of every month
at the East Maitland Bowling Club, 9:30am for
a 10am start.
Kogarah Evening
We meet on the first Tuesday of each month
from February to October at South Hurstville RSL
where we have engaging speakers each month.
Upcoming events include dinners, concerts and
a ferry trip on the Hawkesbury delivering the
mail to places on the river only accessible by
boat. Contact Ross or Anne 9580 6691.
Parramatta Evening
Randwick Botany
Parramatta branch held its annual general
meeting which was well attended. Our treasurer,
Megan Cleary, and our membership officer, Tom
Loudon, stood down from their positions. Thank
you to both for your enthusiasm and energy in
motivating our fellow members. The incoming
2014/2015 branch management committee
members are president Margaret Bannister,
vice president Terry Martin, treasurer/ public
officer Graham Lowndes, assistant treasurer
Mary Peters, secretary John Withers OAM,
membership officer and zone representative
Warwick Hale, speakers’ organiser Margaret
Maynard, publicity organiser Barry and Glenda
Stephenson, editor Charlotte Lewis and
hospitality guide/ zone representative Barbara
Hale. We are looking forward to our get together
for Christmas with other zone members in
December and a vast array of guest speakers.
Meetings are held on the fourth Wednesday
evening of each month at Parramatta RSL.
Our guest speaker for 13 October is James Kelly
from Owen Hodge Lawyers, speaking about
retirement villages and aged care. The outing
for Thursday 30 October will be to Enniskillen
orchard and herb gardens. Speaker for 10
November will be John Zammit. Branch meets
at 10:15am on the second Monday of the month
at South Sydney Junior Rugby Leagues Club,
Kingsford. Contact Ron 9661 3764.
Penrith Evening
Upcoming events organised for October /
November / December are: high tea at Mulgoa,
monthly restaurant night, house party, a mystery
weekend away, branch Christmas party and
more. Visit www.nsapenrith.com. Penrith
Evening branch meets on the first Tuesday of
each month at the Penrith Valley Seniors Centre
at 7:15pm for a 7:30pm start. Contact Lance
0439 926 423 or visit www.nsapenrith.com
Sydney Inner West
In October we welcome Andrew Tink, former
Shadow Attorney General to speak on this
book, Air Disaster Canberra. On Tuesday 4
November we join with Club Ashfield for a
special Melbourne Cup luncheon and on 10
December we celebrate the festive season at a
Christmas luncheon. Our speaker for November
will be member Harry Kimble, unstoppable
world traveller, to tell of his visit to Tibet. On 15
October we visit Nan Tien Temple, the largest
Buddhist temple in the southern hemisphere.
We’ll have the popular BBQ picnic at the
Memorial Kokoda Track on 29 October. We
start 2015 in February with a visit from Ashfield
Station commander, Peter Dryburgh of Fire &
Rescue NSW. Meetings are held at Club Ashfield,
7 Charlotte St, next to the railway station at
10:15am sharp on second Wednesdays monthly
except January.
Macquarie
Macquarie continues to be a happy and thriving
branch and over the past year we have added
18 new members. We are also continuing to
support local charities which assist the elderly.
The guest speaker for October is Vic Grant with
the story of Len Beadell, and in November is
an informative presentation of the traditions
of China. December brings a gathering for
Christmas cheer and fellowship and a Christmas
luncheon. We will also be seeing The King &
I and doing a tour of the Conservatorium of
Music, a Melbourne Cup luncheon, Joadja Creek
heritage tour and to round things off, a coach
holiday to see the Cherry Festival at Young.
Contact Jan 9874 2848.
Sydney Inner West branch members enjoying a recent outing.
5
VICTORIA AND TASMANIA
Victoria and
Tasmania
VIC state
election news
Tas member awarded as a
‘Life saver’
A National Seniors member and chair of the
Policy Advisory Group Tasmania has been
recognised with a national award to recognise
her efforts in looking after the health and
wellbeing of others.
Mary Parsissons has devoted over 25 years to
preventing suicide in Tasmania and around the
world has been recognised with a LiFE Award.
Chief executive officer of Suicide Prevention
Australia, Sue Murray, said Ms Parsissons had
dedicated her life to the cause.
By the time this edition reaches you, we’ll have
had the first meeting of the ‘new’ Victorian PAG
and finalised our proposals to the major parties
leading up to the Victorian election in November.
PAC News
Recently Don McDonald left the VIC PAG after
his sterling service as chair of the PAG in recent
times.
The PAC forum was held in June at the State
Library of Victoria. Presentations from the forum
are available at www.productiveageing.com.au.
We have developed fact sheets and these can
be downloaded through the above website.
Topics include:
•Alzheimer’s Disease Prevention
•Depression and Anxiety In Older People
•Alzheimer’s Disease: Support for Carers
•Healthy Eating for the Heart
•Physical Activity for Healthy Living
His insight, patience, diligence and his concern
for the seniors’ community will be sorely missed.
Don, we wish you well in your new endeavours.
How many of you are wondering where to place
your vote at this state election? An ever growing
number I can imagine.
In Victoria, we want to see the current support
and concessions for seniors maintained and at
least keep pace with inflation.
We also have concerns for aged care over the
next 12 - 18 months, not just about residential
aged care but HACC as well.
Victoria (along with WA), has some of the best
HACC services in the nation. Will Canberra have
enough funds to keep this going?
Questions recently to this effect both locally and
from National Seniors’ policy staff have failed to
get us an answer.
For the first time we will try to include some
proposals on what we might call ‘legacy’.
Victoria has been the manufacturing state for
Australia for over 100 years but this will all be
gone soon.
Where will the jobs come from for our children
and grandchildren? Where will the revenue
come from to maintain social services in
Victoria? Which party has a sustainable vision
for our future?
These are a few things to think about before you
vote at the state election.
Arnie Bates
Policy Advisory Group
Victoria
Chair
6
Productive Ageing Forum
“During a 48 year career in midwifery and child
health, Mary nursed women through postnatal
depression and other issues associated with
having children,” Ms Murray said.
Ms Parsissons said she was honoured to receive
a LiFE Award that “represents all the individual
people who give their time in many ways to
prevent suicide”.
National Seniors congratulates Ms Parsissons
on her award and thanks her for her dedication
to an important cause.
PAC Reports released recently:
•
Disengagement of mature age people from
the labour force (July 2014)
•
Downsizing decisions of senior Australians:
What are the motivating and discouraging
factors? (June 2014)
•
Meeting ‘Hidden’ Household Costs of Care
in the Home: Impacts of the Presence of
Disability on Expenditure Patterns of Older
Australian Households (June 2014)
State Office News
Lecture Series
COBA program
The Lecture Series are held on the third
Thursday between 11am and 12noon at Level 2,
Block Court, 290 Collins Street, Melbourne.
The Combined Branches Activities (COBA)
outings for 2014 include:
•9-15 October 2014 – 7-day Flinders
Rangers tour
•4 December – End of year celebration lunch
at Sky High Restaurant.
Any members interested in joining any of the
above activities should contact your COBA
representative before the end of the year so that
your name is registered. The Victorian office can
also provide details on 9650 6144.
Upcoming talks:
16 October – Arnold Bates, Victorian Policy
Advisory Group Chair “The Victorian Election –
Issues for NSA members”.
20 November – Song, Tai Chi Australia “Tai Chi
for Seniors”.
Branch News
TASMANIA
Hobart
In October we have the Blundstone Boot walk
around Risdon Brook Dam as part of Seniors
Week on Tuesday 14 October at 10:30am with
registrations from 10:15am. In November we
are off to Drysdale House for the Melbourne
Cup lunch. Our Christmas lunch is on Friday 12
December, venue to be confirmed. Meetings
are held on the fourth Monday of the month at
10:30am in the Showroom at Wrest Point Hotel
Casino. Contact Mary on 6272 5156.
Launceston
Upcoming activities
13-19 October – Seniors Week. We plan to have
displays in two major shopping centres.
Branch closes for 2014 on 8 December with a
pre-Christmas lunch at the Country Club Casino.
Meetings recommence on 27 January and
social events on 10 February 2015. Meetings
are held on the fourth Tuesday of the month at
10:30am at Country Club Casino, followed by
lunch in the bistro. Contact Shirley
0417 798 142 or Marlene 6334 0634.
VICTORIA AND TASMANIA
North West Coast-Ulverstone
Meetings are held on the second Wednesday
of the month at 10:30am at the Senior Citizens
Hall, King Edward Street, Ulverstone. Contact
Colin 6428 6146.
Rosny Park
Outings for this period have been to the
Cadbury’s shop, an outing to the Granada Hotel
in Clairemont and our journey to the Playhouse
Theatre. Meetings are held on first Tuesday of
the month at 6:30pm at Mornington Inn, 322
Cambridge Road, Mornington. Contact Yvonne
03 6247 1626.
VICTORIA
Bellarine Peninsula
Upcoming activities
14 October – Branch meeting
16 October – Seniors Festival Concert by
Bellarine Community Choir hosted by our branch
11 November – Branch meeting with a guest
speaker from Centrelink
26 November – A free boat trip around Port of
Geelong hosted by Capt Peter McGovern.
Meetings are held on the second Tuesday of the
month at St James Anglican Church Hall, our
new venue, at 2pm. Contact Jackie 5216 9018
or [email protected].
Doncaster
Upcoming activities
22 October – Our guest speaker will talk about
the importance of regular exercise and a good diet
28 October – Our regular dinner at
Shoppingtown Hotel from 7pm
20 November – Bus trip to Werribee Open
Range Zoo
26 November – Trivia night
2 December – Christmas dinner celebration.
Meetings are held on the fourth Wednesday of
the month at Doncaster Senior Citizens Club, cnr
Doncaster Road and Dehnert Street, Doncaster
East (opposite Dan Murphy) at 7:15pm.
Contact Cedric 9434 6781 or visit
www.doncasternationalseniors.org.au.
Geelong
Meetings are held on the last Friday of the month
at the Wesley Church Library (rear of the church)
at 100 Yarra Street, Geelong.
Contact Joan 5222 2835 or visit
www.nationalseniorsgeelong.blogspot.com.
Greensborough
Bendigo
Meetings are held on the third Monday of the
month at 7pm at Kalianna School, cnr Prouses
Road and Nolan Street. Contact Ken 5443 9726
or nsabendigo.org.au.
Berwick
Upcoming activities
12 November – Gabrielle from Prison Network
Ministries will tell us about the organisation’s
work in Victorian women’s prisons
10 December – Our great annual Christmas
meal at Central Hotel Beaconsfield.
Meetings are held on the second Wednesday,
except January, at the Narre Community
Learning Centre, Malcolm Court, Narre Warren.
(Melway 110 E6). Contact Allen 9700 2666.
Camberwell & District
Meetings are held on the third Thursday at 10
am at the Phyllis Hore Room, Kew Library in
Cotham Rd, followed by lunch at the Kew Hotel.
Contact Blayne 9819 6185 or visit
www.camberwellnationalseniors.org.au.
Dandenong District
Meetings are held on the third Thursday of every
month at Highway’s at Corner of Corrigan Road
and Princes Highway, Springvale, at 6pm for
6:30pm start. Contact Colin 0402 406 659.
Deer Park
Meetings are held on the first Wednesday of
the month at 1:15pm at Club Caroline Springs
function room, 1312-1322 Western Hwy,
Caroline Springs. Contact John 9337 8845 or
www.nationalseniorsdeerpark.com
The Greensborough branch on a recent outing.
Our branch meetings provide a friendly group
and interesting speakers, such as Mark
Squirrell, ex Australian Special Forces soldier,
to tell of his experiences at the October
meeting. The coming outing for November is
the tour of LaTrobe Cottage and Government
House. In October, our branch is facilitating the
presentation of local candidates to the voters.
Meetings are held on the third Tuesday of the
month at Greensborough RSL at 10am except
every third month (September meeting) when
we have an evening meeting at 6:50pm. The
December meeting will celebrate our 10th
anniversary as part of the annual Christmas
dinner dance. Contact David 9459 0653 or visit
www.greensboroughnationalseniors.com.au.
Frankston
Meetings are held on the last Wednesday of the
month at St Francis Xavier Church Hall, Davey
Street, Frankston at 9:30am. Contact: Roy
9785 9545.
Knox
Our AGM was held in August and the majority
of the general committee renominated for their
current positions. The social activities committee
is now responsible for organising the branch’s
social activities. Meetings are every fourth
Wednesday at the Knox Club, corner of Boronia
and Stud Roads, Wantirna at 9:45am
for a 10am start. Contact John 9778 6784
or Robert 9737 0751, or visit
www.knoxbincnsa.net.
Lilydale
Our branch is active and enjoys going to the
theatre and dine out programs. We also have
two walking groups. On 11 October is Burrinja
Gallery - The Neil Diamond Story. Tickets $20.
Meetings are held on the first Monday of the
month at Lutheran Church North Road, Lilydale.
Contact Alan 9735 5436 or Chris 9735 1249.
Maroondah/Ringwood
Christmas lunch is on Thursday 18 December
at Wild Cattle Creek Winery. Visit www.
seniorsmaroondah.com for up-to-date activities.
Meetings are held at a new venue at Maroondah
Sports Club in Mt. Dandenong Rd, East
Ringwood, on the first Monday of every month at
2pm. Contact Helen 9879 4058.
Melbourne City
We are an activities-based branch. Those
interested in financial matters, including selfmanaged superannuation, may want to try our
investment discussion group which meets on the
first Thursday of the month at 10am. We also
have a travel/friendship group which meets on
the second Wednesday of the month at 11am at
the Block Court office. Meetings are held on the
third Thursday of the month at 10:30am at Level
2, Block Court, 290 Collins Street, Melbourne.
Contact Liz 9455 0685 or Neville 9650 6144
(on Mondays and Thursdays 9.10am – 3.00pm)
or visit www.nsamelbourne.blogspot.com.au.
Monash
During October, the City of Monash will be
holding the annual Seniors Festival. This year
the Monash branch along with the Chinese
Friendship Association and the City of Monash
will be co–hosting a Positive Ageing Expo on
28 October in the Mount Waverley Community
Centre from 10:30am to 2pm. The multicultural
event will include information booths and free
health checks. Meetings are held at 1:30pm on
the first Wednesday of the month at the Mount
Waverley Community Centre, Miller Crescent,
Mount Waverley. All welcome. Contact Phil
9802 7073 or email [email protected]
Mornington Peninsula
Meetings are held on the third Monday at 2pm
for 2:30pm start at Benton Square Community
Centre, Bentons Road, Mornington. Contact
Peter 0411 455 565 or by email ponford@
gmail.com.
Rosebud
Upcoming activities
24 October – Steam and cuisine luncheon on
Puffing Billy
12 November – Guest speaker Bob Cooper
26 November – Christmas lunch at Rye Hotel
10 December – Christmas afternoon tea,
entertainment and break-up at Rosebud Library
Community Room. Meetings are held on the
second Wednesday of each month at 1:30pm in
the Rosebud Library Community Room. Contact
Margot 5981 2974.
7
SOUTH AUSTRALIA AND NORTHERN TERRITORY
Branch News
South Australia and
Northern Territory
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Ministers accept need to
review NT senior concessions
Seniors are urging the Northern Territory
Government to overturn unfair changes to
its Seniors Concession Scheme which were
announced in the NT’s 2014 budget.
All males over 65 years and females over 60
years were formerly eligible for the Seniors
Concession Scheme but eligibility is now
restricted to holders of Pensioner Concession
and Commonwealth Seniors Health Cards only.
National Seniors NT Policy Advisory Group chair,
Margaret Borger, said seniors had been left
disappointed by the change.
“In tightening the concession scheme’s eligibility
requirements, the Territory Government has
failed to recognise the considerable social and
economic contributions that seniors make in
both central and northern Australia,’’
Ms Borger said.
“The NT Government should follow their
interstate colleagues and defer any changes to
the Seniors Concession Scheme for a year in
order to consult with its older constituents.
“We do not accept the government’s claims that
it was a badly conceived income supplement.
“While we know that the scheme has been
abused in the past, this is an opportunity for
the government to address weaknesses in the
administrative system rather than penalising
future Senior Territorians by restricting access to
concessions which assist them to remain living
in the Northern Territory.”
National Seniors representatives have relayed
members’ concerns to Chief Minister Adam
Giles, Minister for Health Robyn Lambley and the
Minister for Senior Territorians Peter Styles.
“We are pleased that the ministers have
accepted the need to fully review the concession
scheme and consider policy alternatives to the
recently introduced harsh means testing,” Ms
Borger said.
“There will also be a chance to provide a review
through a subcommittee of the Ministerial
Advisory Council which is currently being
fast-tracked.
“National Seniors strongly supports the Chief
Minister’s offer to move towards a more
consultative approach on the decisions affecting
older Territorians.”
8
Adelaide Evening strollers group enjoying a recent walk.
Adelaide Evening
We held our AGM in August and welcomed in
our new committee with Jan Forest continuing
for another year as president. Outgoing
committee members were thanked for their
contributions and time of service to the group.
Recent speakers have included one from
Kangaroo Island who shared information about
the Island’s famous Ligurian bees as well as
lots of other interesting information on the
history and ecology of Kangaroo Island. Another
speaker was from Spring Gully Foods, an iconic
South Australian company owned by the same
family for three generations.
The strollers have enjoyed an informative
historical walking tour of Hahndorf with
Anni Luhr-Fox, who generously took us onto
her property which was one of the original
homesteads of the first settlers in Hahndorf.
In August we did a self-guided walk of the
Adelaide West Terrace Cemetery and ‘met’ a
number of people who contributed much to the
early settlement of South Australia.
Upcoming activities:
October – Guest speaker is the Commissioner of
Scouting, Christopher Bates
October – Strollers will be walking along the
southern coastal track starting at Marino
November – Eric Freeman will speak on
his experiences of touring overseas with
sporting bodies
5 December – Christmas dinner at the Rex
Hotel. All welcome, bookings required
November – Our last walk for the year including
a picnic and walk. Details TBA.
Further information is on our website
www.nsa-eveningbranchsa.org.au
Branch meets at Benjamin on Franklin (West
Terrace end) on the second Tuesday of the
month at 7pm. Optional meal from 5 - 6pm.
Contact Jan 0428 815 153 or Michael
08 8344 6634.
Adelaide North-West
We have just celebrated our 10th anniversary as
a branch with lunch at the Regency Park TAFE
Restaurant. We invited Brian Victory who started
and guided us through the beginning years of
the branch.
The last two meetings have been nautical in
nature. We had a couple speak on sailing around
the world and another speaker told of his trials
and tribulations at building a boat and rowing
across the English Channel.
We presented a cheque for $50 to a speaker
from Legacy and found out from the president
about the wonderful work this organisation
does in Australia, and in particular for the 8,000
widows here in South Australia, 400 from our
immediate area.
In October we have a tour of the South
Australian Medical Research Institute. November
will possibly see us visiting a pets’ hospital.
Future speakers will range from a person
speaking about ‘5,000 years of Civilization
in the Chinese Traditional Culture’, a speaker
ambassador from the Adelaide Cranio-Facial
Unit and a talk on mobile alert tracking. Finally,
to wind up our year we will have the November
branch meeting as a Christmas lunch at the
Regency Park restaurant complex.
The branch meets at West Lakes Community
Centre, cnr Brebner Dr and West Lakes Blvd,
West Lakes (adjacent to the library) on the fourth
Wednesday of the month at 2pm. Contact John
08 8449 7948 or 0417 483 067.
SOUTH AUSTRALIA AND NORTHERN TERRITORY
Brighton
Members celebrated Brighton branch becoming
a teenager with entertainment and a birthday
lunch.
A recent survey of members showed strong
interest in dining and theatre. So more of
these events will be organised by the branch
and we will also join in some Lee’s Theatre
Club activities.
The October meeting will be a part of the Every
Generation Festival with The Borderers, who
were very popular last year, to entertain us
again. Talks will be about the Queen Adelaide
clipper ship project and local adult education
courses. Members can lunch on a Port River
dolphin cruise and travel on a mystery bus trip
before finishing the year with the Christmas
lunch at the Flagstaff Hill Golf Club. Two walking
groups and a book club provide physical, social
and mental activity for members.
Branch meets at the Lighthouse Community
Church, cnr Jetty Road and The Crescent,
Brighton, on the third Tuesday of the month
(except December) at 10am. Contact Ed
08 8322 2640.
Members of the Brighton branch’s walking group outside Grange Jetty Café.
Brighton branch’s walking group relax at
Holdfast Shores Marina at Glenelg.
Pilot Simon Hatfield and Jan Dowson, of the Central Australia branch, push one of the gliders to the
shed at the branch’s recent gliding event.
Klemzig
NORTHERN TERRITORY
During the last three months Klemzig members
have visited Haighs Chocolates, followed by
lunch at Pira Thai. We also went on a Barossa
Valley bus tour which included Wolf Blass
wine tasting and lunch at the Country Kitchen
Angaston as well as a visit to the Tindo Solar
Factory and Willunga Almond Blossom tour.
On Saturday 25 October 2014 at 11am is
the AGM followed by lunch at Curve Café,
Waterfront, Darwin. To register contact
Julianne 0418 209 782.
Speakers at our monthly meetings have been
Ken Dyer who spoke on energy savings in the
home, Amanda Fedcesin from Hearing Life and
Julia Bidstrup, a legal adviser in consumer law
from the Legal Services Commission.
Branch meets at Klemzig Community Hall,
242 North-East Rd (via Wellington St), Klemzig,
Adelaide on the third Tuesday of the month at
10am. $4 entrance fee. Contact John
08 8556 2028.
Top End (Darwin)
Central Australia (Alice Springs)
At the branch’s annual gliding event in
September, there were a total of 25 launches
which was a great result.
On Tuesday 28 October is a general meeting
held in the boardroom at the Ibis Styles Motel on
Gap Road from 5:30pm. All welcome to stay for
dinner – guest speaker TBA.
On Saturday 29 November is the branch’s
Christmas dinner from 6pm with the venue to be
advised. The executive committee will be
holding raffles, a door prize, and a prize for the
best Christmas hat. We will be entertained by
Sing Australia.
There are no meetings or functions in December
and January 2015.
In February the branch recommences general
meetings in the boardroom at the Ibis Styles
Motel on Gap Road from 5:30pm.
Branch members, family and friends wish you all
a relaxing Christmas and New Year.
For more information contact Jan 08 8952
3344 or email zone120@nationalsenirs.
com.au or Mary 08 8952 1330 or email
[email protected].
9
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
State and Zone News
Western Australia
PAG policy report
A committee for Seniors Week has now been
set-up and we are being represented on this
group.
The Taxi Users Subsidy Scheme (TUSS) which
we have been trying to get implemented for at
least three years, now appears to be coming
to fruition with questions being asked in
Parliament. At this time there is no definite date
on when it may be implemented.
On the topic of discriminatory electricity charges,
the PAG has kept a watching brief on this issue
as it involved a number of our members. After
repeated contact with the Minister’s office, one
of our members managed to successfully repeal
the discriminatory charges and monies will be
refunded. Our member has been asked to be
part of the Ministerial Committee which will be
formed to look at electricity practices.
PAG was asked to give oral evidence to the
Community Development and Justice standing
Committee which is a Parliamentary Committee
of the Legislative Assembly.
We have also been lobbying for the Elder Abuse
Helpline for some time. The Elder Abuse hotline
is available by calling 1300 724 679.
Lastly, PAG has now joined the Health Consumer
Council. We look forward to making input.
June MacDonald
WA PAG Chair
Date claimers
Zone 108 conference
9 October at Amherst Community Centre, cnr
Warton Road and Holmes Street, Southern River.
Quiz time
The Mandurah/Murray branch will be holding
a quiz afternoon on 25 October at Greenfields
Family and Community Centre, cnr Waldron Blvd
and Murdoch Drive, Greenfields at 2pm. Cost
$10pp which includes afternoon tea. Phone
Tina 9582 0679.
Public Advocate talk
On 28 October a guest speaker from The Public
Advocate will speak on Enduring Powers of
Attorney, Enduring Powers of Guardianship
and Advance Health Directives. It will be held
from 10am to 12 noon in the Meg Olive Room,
Administration Building, Airforce Estate, Bull
Creek Drive. RSVP essential. Contact Lorelie
9365 2277 or email [email protected]
10
By the time this edition of the Branch News is
circulated, two things will have come to an end
… the branch AGMs and footy season.
Not sure if your team was successful in the
AFL but I know for certain that all branches in
WA have had a successful year. Branches have
formed committees which are up and running
for another year. Well done to you all as I know
there were some branches that struggled to
get a committee. Even though it is ten months
away before the next round of AGMs, it would be
worth committees considering some succession
planning now.
Congratulations to Graeme Piggott on being
appointed as the WA regional representative on
National Council and Rachael McGlinn on being
appointed to the National Council as a general
membership representative. Ross Glossop
has also been appointed to the National Policy
Congress. WA is well represented.
Branch News
Albany
In October the deputy mayor, Greg Stokes,
will outline the extensive plans for the
commemoration of the WWI departure of the
ANZAC fleet from Albany. On 4 December
will see us celebrating the festive season at
our annual Christmas luncheon. Meets: First
Thursday monthly. Meetings even months,
outings odd months. Time: 2pm. Venue:
Horticultural Room, Centennial Oval, Lockyer
Avenue, Albany. Contact David 9847 4510.
Armadale
Peter Garnett will be speaking at the October
meeting about ships. In November our outing
will be to Penguin Island and our last meeting
of the year will be on Wednesday 3 December
for Christmas lunch at The Pines Bentley Tafe.
Meets: First Thursday monthly. Meetings even
months, outings odd months. Time: 10am.
Venue: Armadale Shire Library, Armadale Central
Shopping Centre, Jull Street, Armadale. Contact
David 9399 3057.
Bunbury
In October, weather permitting, the branch will
have a picnic outing to Crooked Brook and
Gnomesville. November is the last meeting
for the year and we will have a speaker from
the Red Cross Carers Support’s Telechat and
Telecross. December will be our Christmas
dinner. Meets: Fourth Monday monthly.
Meetings even months, outings odd months
(except September when the AGM is held).
Time: 9:30am for 10am. Venue: Hudson Road
Family Centre, Hudson Road, Withers, Bunbury.
Contact Rachael 9754 2356.
Your special week is nearly upon us. Yes,
Seniors Week is from 9 – 16 November
and although there has been a reduction of
organised events there is still plenty for you to
get involved in.
Please be on the lookout in the October issue
of the Have a Go newspaper for full details of
what is happening. Also it is wonderful that Rick
Ardon from Channel 7 is the WA Seniors Week
Ambassador.
National Seniors is pleased that a couple of
well deserving National Seniors members have
agreed to be nominated for the WA Seniors
Awards 2014 and we wish them all the best.
This is the last Branch News for 2014 and so I
wish you and your family a blessed Christmas
and a peaceful start to 2015.
Jan Powell-Jones
State Membership Co-ordinator
Esperance
In October the branch will have a supper
evening and our last meeting of the year will be
in November where we will meet for dinner. The
branch is in recess for December and will meet
in January for a get together at the Bird Farm
for breakfast. Meets: Third Wednesday monthly.
Time: 7pm. Venue: Masonic Village, Brazier
Street, Esperance. Contact: Joy 9071 1011.
Floreat
At the October meeting Sally and Robin
Tunnicliffe will report on their experience of
being in York, England to see the play about
a Yorkshire lass, now living in Perth, and her
friendship with a French airman in York during
World War II. Albany WA will stage the curtain
raiser to ANZAC Centenary commemorations
and to tie in with this we are delighted that the
journalist who has written numerous articles
about World War I for The West Australian
newspaper, Malcolm Quekett, is going to be our
special guest speaker at the November meeting.
Our Christmas lunch on 11 December will be at
the Seaview Golf Club. Meets: Second Thursday
monthly. Time: 9:45am. Venue: Mt Claremont
Community Centre, 109 Montgomery Avenue,
Mt Claremont (next to library). Contact John
9446 4510.
Geraldton Midwest
Our October meeting will be held in Dongara
and our November meeting in Geraldton. At
both meetings will be guest speakers and we
will round off the year with a Christmas lunch.
Meets: Second Friday monthly. Time 10am.
Venue: Queen Elizabeth II Centre, 88 Durlacher
Street, Geraldton. Contact Jill 9923 3622.
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Hillarys
special lunch. Meets: First Monday monthly.
Time: 10am. Venue: Katanning Bowling Club,
cnr Tait Street and Braeside Road, Katanning.
Contact Gladys 9821 1016.
Perth
Mandurah/Murray
Hillarys incoming president David Carpenter with
Jan Powell-Jones, Graeme Piggott and David
Haimes.
At our October meeting we are delighted to
have Dean Alston, the cartoonist from The West
Australian. At the November meeting, author
Bill Edgar will speak about “Our Convict History
1850” and in December will be our annual
Christmas lunch. We will be having a social
outing on 29 October. Meets: First Wednesday
monthly. Time: 10am. Venue: Flinders Park
Community Hall, Broadbeach Boulevard, Hillarys.
Contact David 9403 0445.
On 13 October our guest speaker is a
representative from the City of Mandurah and on
Wednesday 19 November we have a coach trip
to Dardanup Heritage Centre which includes a
hearty lunch. On 8 December we have a special
guest speaker from Mandurah All Stars. On
15 December will be the Christmas lunch at
Marina Italiano. Meets: Second Monday monthly.
Meetings even months, outings odd months. Time:
1:30pm. Venue: Ac-cent Centre, 41 Ormsby Tce,
Mandurah. Contact Yvonne 9733 1303.
Melville
Joondalup
At the October meeting we will have Ian Scott,
surf club historian, from City Beach. On 21
October we visit Mt Flora Regional Museum
followed by lunch. In November we have
a guest speaker and at our 28 November
meeting we have a duo musical entertainment
by ‘Rhapsodie’ followed by a fish and chip
supper. Christmas lunch is on 16 December
at Currambine Bistro. Meets: Second Tuesday
monthly. Time: 10am. Venue: Connolly
Community Centre, Main Hall, Glenelg Place,
Connolly. Contact Alex 6467 7036.
Kalamunda Districts
We meet at 10am on the second Tuesday
of each month at the Church of Christ
Multifunction Centre, Mileti Road, Lesmurdie.
Our guest speaker at the October meeting will
be from Lotterywest then for our social outing
we are going to Yanchep National Park and
caves followed with lunch at the Yanchep pub.
At our November meeting, the Key Note Music
group will entertain us with a wide variety of
music, and being November, we will celebrate
Melbourne Cup Day with a ‘bring and share’
lunch. December will find us winding down,
getting ready for Christmas, but we will still have
our annual Christmas party. This event will take
place at the Lesmurdie Club with entertainment
by singer and guitarist Bernard Carney. Contact
Graeme 9454 7080.
Katanning
Our guest speaker in October is Lindy Burton
from Life Style Village. The November outing
will be to Banksia Gardens in Mt Barker and
in December will be a meeting followed by a
Perth branch members saying goodbye to Bev
and David Smith who have relocated to Albany.
At a lunch at Quilan’s Restaurant, Beaconsfield,
the loyal members of the Perth branch thanked
David and Bev Smith for their outstanding
services to the branch. Past president David
McGrath voiced the member’s appreciation to
David as secretary and president and Bev as
the long term program convener. They wished
them well in their new abode in Albany. We
are delighted to hear David is now president of
Albany branch and Bev the secretary. Meets:
First Friday monthly. Time: 10am. Venue:
Conference Room 7, City West Lotteries House,
2 Delhi St (off Colin St), West Perth. Extremely
limited parking, adjacent City West Rail Station
or Harbour Town. Contact Curtis 9362 3430.
Perth South
Melville branch thoroughly enjoyed their tour of
Woodman Point Historic Quarantine Station.
In October we have a presentation by the
community education officer from the Office
of The Public Advocate. Our guest speaker in
November will be Helen Edinger on the ‘Life
of Florence Nightingale’ and during December
we have a Christmas dinner at the Mt Pleasant
Bowling Club. Meets: Fourth Tuesday monthly.
Time: 10am. Venue: Meg Olive Room, Air Force
Memorial Estate, Bull Creek Drive, Bull Creek.
Contact Lorelie 9365 2277.
Nedlands & Districts
In October, Shanti Graham, the senior education
officer at the Department of Commerce will
speak at the meeting about how to protect
yourself from scams. Our next outing will be
to Northam. December will be our usual final
meeting and Christmas lunch. Meets: First
Tuesday monthly. Time: 10am. Venue: Drabble
House, cnr Webster St & Stirling Highway,
Nedlands. Contact Ray 9386 3209.
Northern Districts Sunset
Members are looking forward to hearing about
the mobile alert system from Lance Stracke
at our October meeting and in November the
guest speaker will be Norm Heath who will
speak on the Dutch ship, Duyfken. In December
we will not be having a meeting but will enjoy
a Christmas dinner to wind up the year. Meets:
Second Monday monthly. Time: 6:15 – 8pm.
Venue: The Mighty Quinn, 112 Wanneroo Road,
corner of Lawley St, Yokine. Contact Sharron
9342 8363.
Peter Gurney from the National Broadband
Network (NBN) will be speaking to us in October
and in November the guest speaker will be
Joyce Collins enticing us with her talk on the
splendours of river cruising in Europe. The
wrap-up for the year will be a Christmas lunch
at Pegoda Restaurant. Meets: Fourth Wednesday
monthly. Time: 10am. Venue: George Burnett
Leisure Centre located at George Burnett Park,
Manning Road, Karawara. Contact John
0416 338 505.
Rockingham
At our October meeting we welcome Wendy
Pollock who will speak about House of Hope
in Uganda. The November outing will be to
Digger’s Camp and hosts Rod and Kerry Lee
will entertain with Australian classic bush
poetry with morning tea before the program
and then lunch at Glen Iris Golf Club. The year
will end with our Christmas lunch and superb
entertainment. Meets: First Wednesday monthly.
Meetings even months, outing odd months.
Time: 10am. Venue: RSL Club, 27 Paxton Way,
Port Kennedy, followed by lunch. Contact Roy
9593 1034.
Thornlie
Geoff Wilshire from the Men’s Shed will be our
guest speaker in October and in November we
will be entertained by Praise Unlimited. There
is no meeting in December but we will meet in
January to catch up after the busy Christmas
season. Meets: Fourth Monday monthly. Time:
10am. Venue: Gosnells Uniting Church Hall, cnr
Bert and Hicks Streets, Gosnells. Contact Rob
9452 0797.
11
HEAD OFFICE NEWS
National Policy Report
Future of Financial Advice (FoFA)
The Future of Financial Advice (FoFA) reforms
have been a significant area of lobbying for
National Seniors during 2014. The Coalition
government’s amendments to Labor’s FoFA
regulations were made public just before
Christmas of last year. Since then, National
Seniors has been strongly representing
member concerns regarding the Government’s
amendments which wind back vital consumer
protections originally introduced after corporate
collapses left thousands of older Australians
impoverished.
In July, National Seniors held a press conference
at Parliament House calling on the Senate to
disallow the Government’s amendments to
the regulations. We also undertook significant
lobbying to retain key consumer protections
within the FoFA regulations.
However, a surprise deal between the
Government and the Palmer United Party
saw the removal of important financial advice
protections including to:
1.Remove the requirement that, every two
years, financial advisers confirm their clients
want to keep paying commissions and fees
for services they may no longer receive;
2.Remove the catch-all aspect of the duty to
put the client’s interests first and, in doing
so, provide a safe harbour for advisers
against investors claiming for their losses;
3.Remove the requirement for fee-disclosure
statements to be sent to pre-1 July 2013
clients, denying already committed investors
transparency afforded to others;
4.Allow for the provision of ‘scaled advice’
which allows advisers to push a particular
product without considering the consumer’s
overall position.
We are continuing our campaign against these
regulations and raise our concerns with the
Government and members of Parliament.
Social Welfare Review
National Seniors’ response to the Review
of Australia’s Welfare System calls for the
development of a comprehensive, cross-portfolio
mature age workforce strategy to address the
barriers older people face in getting and holding
a job.
Our submission proposes a strategy to reduce
reliance on the income support system and
support the over-50s into appropriate and
meaningful employment including:
•Overcoming age discrimination
•Simpler payment structures combined with
appropriate tiers relative to circumstances
•Payments that are adjusted above the
poverty line that achieve a decent standard
of living while a person is transitioning to
employment
National Seniors has raised concerns about the increasing cost of private health.
•Supportive, flexible work environments
•Support for carers to make the transition
into employment
•Opportunities to access training and reskilling
•Programs for mature entrepreneurship
•Promoting job redesign and support for
older Australians who acquire a disability,
injury or illness.
National Seniors believes it is imperative
that barriers to mature age employment are
examined and actioned to increase the health
and wellbeing amongst older Australians and to
provide greater opportunities for development
and employment.
Age Pension
With regards to the changes announced in the
Federal budget, National Seniors recommends
that any legislative changes to the Age Pension,
proposed to take place from 2017, should be
suspended until after the next Federal election
in 2016.
This will give older Australians the chance to
vote on the changes at the next election.
We also recommend that current indexation
and benchmarking rules for the Age Pension be
maintained.
Concessions
Immediately following the abolition of the
National Partnership Agreement on Certain
Concessions for Pensioner Concession Card and
Seniors Card Holders in the 2014-2015 federal
budget, National Seniors wrote to all Premiers
and Chief Ministers asking for the concessions
to be maintained in spite of the federal budget
cuts. The federal funding to states and territories
amounted to approximately 10 per cent of
concession funding in each state and territory.
We also wrote to all National Seniors branch
presidents throughout Australia calling on them
to raise the issue with their local member.
In Queensland, interviews with National Seniors
members aired on the night following the state
budget in which the Premier had announced
cuts to pensioner concessions. On Thursday,
members gathered at a suburban venue and
again had good coverage with momentum
building from there. On June 5, Premier
Newman announced that the Government would
reverse the cuts.
Our calls for other states and territories to
absorb the federal cuts in line with the Victorian,
Tasmanian and Queensland governments
continue.
Private Health Insurance
National Seniors’ submission to the Inquiry into
the Health Insurance stated that the increase
of the Extended Medicare Safety Net (EMSN)
threshold by 60 per cent from $1248.70 to
$2,000 for general patients is inequitable,
targets all consumers, regardless of their
financial capacity to afford their health costs
and hurts people who are living with chronic
health conditions.
We highlighted the increasing financial pressure
experienced by older Australians when outof-pocket payments escalate because of gaps
between the MBS rebate and the provider’s
charge for primary health and specialist
consultations, eligible allied health, pathology
and diagnostic imaging services.
This is exacerbated by the substantial health
costs faced by patients that are not supported
by Medicare or the EMSN such as dental health
services, low vision health services and assistive
technology.
Coming up
Later in 2014, National Seniors will be
providing responses to a discussion paper on
options for retirement income products, income
inequality in Australia, the Financial Systems
Inquiry and more.
nationalseniors.com.au