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COTA SA E-NEWSLETTER
April 2026 | |
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State Election and beyond | |
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In case you missed it - in the days following the State Election we asked our subscribers to share their thoughts on the outcome with the insights revealing a community feeling cautiously optimistic, but also deeply concerned about the pressures that impact their daily lives.
In the context of a weakened political opposition, many older South Australians expressed a strong desire for advocacy groups such as COTA SA to continue championing their interests and ensure their voices remain loud and clear in the decisions that affect them.
COTA SA is actively building and strengthening relationships with those making up the new parliament to ensure that the voices and needs of older South Australians are heard and understood. We look forward to continuing to provide strong, independent advocacy on the issues that matter to you. | |
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While the election is over, life carries on and we would really like to hear how you're going right now.
Our 'How are you going' survey is ongoing and available all year round to allow older South Australians to share a snapshot of your current life experiences and thoughts. This helps us to keep our finger on the pulse and to ensure that we focus on what is most important to our community. Even if you've completed the survey previously, we invite you to take it again. | |
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Falls Prevention Month: Staying steady and confident as you age | |
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April is Falls Prevention Month which aims to turn the spotlight on falls - the impacts they may have, signs that we may be at greater risk, and the steps we can take to reduce our risk of falling.
Many people assume that falls are simply a part of getting older. The good news is that this isn’t true! Most falls are preventable, and there are practical, effective steps you can take to stay steady, confident, and independent as you age.
Read more on our website - including more about how structured, age-appropriate exercise is one of the most effective ways to prevent falls. COTA SA's Strength for Life is designed to support older South Australians with getting moving, staying active - and staying safe. | |
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Blanchetown Ageing Well Expo | |
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Our Policy and Advocacy Manager, Allison, is looking forward to heading to Blanchetown on 6 May for the Ageing Well Expo, hosting a stall and hopefully having the chance to talk with some of you there. The expo will include guest speaker Sophie Thomson plus speakers and stallholders from organisations such as Department of Health, Disability & Ageing, Office for Ageing Well, Aged Rights Advocacy Service and many more.
If you're local to Blanchetown, come and say hello. We'd love to hear about your experiences of ageing in the area.
What: Blanchetown Ageing Well Expo When: 6 May, 10am - 2pm Where: Blanchetown Sporting Complex, Onslow St, Blanchetown | |
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COTA SA welcomes completion of new public housing for women | |
COTA SA warmly welcomes the completion of new public housing for women. Located in the Adelaide CBD, it will provide a secure place to live for older women experiencing housing insecurity.
Housing security for older women is a vital issue on which we have long advocated, including sitting on the State Government’s Housing Security for Older Women Taskforce - visit the SA Housing trust website to read the outcomes of the taskforce - and continue to highlight as a matter of priority in our ongoing advocacy. | |
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Being on the wrong electricity tariff can cost more | |
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Our Climate Change Group members regularly share stories and information that they find useful and hope that you will find useful too!
Today's article is about electricity tariffs. Cost of living is a significant issue of concern right now and a recent government report says that many people in Australia are on an electricity tariff which costs them more than is necessary. Read more about this as well as how to check if you're on the best tariff for you - and what to do next. | |
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News from COTA Australia - Federal Budget | |
Our colleagues at COTA Australia have released their Federal Pre-Budget submission calling for six priority actions. These include a whole‑of‑government plan for ageing, an urgent aged care / Support at Home transition plan; improved economic security for older women and carers; fairer retiree credit access, improved digital confidence in banking, and a Seniors Dental Benefit Scheme.
Visit their website to read more and view the submission. | |
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Join The Plug in - help shape decisions that directly affect your life | |
“As we mature some of us enjoy being of service, yet there are not too many chances.”
The Plug‑in community of South Australians aged 50+ share their lived experience and insights to inform policies, research and services. Our community tell us they value being listened to and that their involvement truly feels purposeful.
If you would like to be involved in a range of research opportunities coming up for 2026, join the Plug-in community today.
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We are especially keen to hear from people living in regional South Australia, as new projects are coming up that will explore issues particularly relevant to regional transportation. Not in regional SA? That’s okay too. We also have projects coming up exploring your experiences of aged care services at home (including Support at Home), effects of long COVID - and more.
By joining The Plugin, you’ll have the opportunity to: - Share your experiences and perspectives when research projects match your interests
- Help shape decisions that directly affect your life and community
- Choose if, when, and how you take part
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If you're in the area and looking to improve your strength, balance and confidence, you can expect a very warm welcome from Strength for Life provider, The W: Walkerville Recreation Centre.
This vibrant space is a great place to get active and connect. They offer Strength for Life Better Balance and Easy Moves sessions on Mondays and Fridays. Give them a call on 0407 657 845 or, better yet, drop in and see them at 39 Smith Street, Walkerville.
If you're not in the area, visit our website to find a friendly provider near you! | |
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Care Finders - here to help | |
Our Care Finders program provides support to vulnerable older people in navigating the challenges of the aged care system and accessing services that support them to continue to live safely at home. With no family, friends or advocates to help them, these people may not have been able to understand and work through these processes on their own. Here is just some of the feedback we have received about Care Finders: | | | |
“…has taught us a lot, could not have navigated the system without her help.”
“I now feel very comfortable in dealing with all agencies in finding help for my wife and our situation”
“I certainly would not have been able to do this all by myself, I am feeling so much more comfortable with what is in the pipeline hopefully will be in place soon.”
Funded by Adelaide PHN, COTA SA’s Care Finder program supports eligible vulnerable older people to register, be assessed and arrange aged care services in their home across the Adelaide region. Health and community workers can refer via our website and older people can call us on 8232 0422. There are other Care Finder agencies in Adelaide and all-over South Australia and Australia. Visit My Aged Care for more information about eligibility and a list of Care Finders.
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Member exclusive:
Ongoing earning with WEA | |
COTA SA is delighted to be partnering with WEA Adult Learning and Skills SA to provide our members with funded additional learning opportunities through WEA’s program of short courses.
If you’ve been considering taking a course at WEA this could be the opportunity for you to take a fully subsidised course. WEA have allocated a limited number of fully subsidised spots exclusively to COTA SA members who have not undertaken a WEA course in the past two years.
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RHSA Supporting Pride of the Hills | |
Rainbow Hub SA was proud to support and attend the inaugural Pride of the Hills event on Friday 27 March alongside over 350 other people who braved the fresh Hills air in Mt Barker. It was a joyful, vibrant community celebration of LGBTQIA+ pride, inclusion and visibility. Rainbow Hub SA's stall sat alongside numerous other service providers inside the town hall. | | | |
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Rainbow Hub SA lunch
A monthly lunch for members of the LGBTI+ community over 50.
When: 12noon - 1:30pm, Thursday 23 April, 28 May, 25 June Where: Treasury 1860, 144 King William Street, Adelaide
Booking: https://rainbowhubsa.com/connect/ or call 0487 033 684. Booking helps the venue plan for catering. If you're new there will be someone to welcome you.
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Did you know, walking is one of the simplest ways to move more and protect your heart?
Walking groups are a social, supportive and simple way to boost your health and make connections in your community and, since 1995, Heart Foundation Walking has supported free walking groups across Australia. Visit their website to find a free local walking group near you! | |
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New aged care redevelopment in Whyalla | |
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COTA SA Supporter Helping Hand recently held an event marking the start of its redevelopment of Yeltana and Copperhouse Court Residential Care Homes.
Whyalla is experiencing a high demand for aged care, and this development aims to ensure that more residents have access to quality care locally, allowing more Whyalla residents to age in place, close to their family and community. | |
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Capri Giveaway: Marilyn Monroe’s 100th Birthday – double feature
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Diamonds may be forever… but icons are once in a century.
Join the Capri to celebrate the 100th birthday of Hollywood’s ultimate blonde bombshell, Marilyn Monroe, with a dazzling double feature on the big screen. First, it’s the sparkling, show-stopping glamour of Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, where Monroe’s Lorelei Lee teaches us all that diamonds are a girl’s best friend. Then turn up the heat with The Seven Year Itch, featuring that subway-grate scene — the white dress, the breeze, the moment that defined movie history.
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Slip into something fabulous, gather your best girlfriends (or your best leading man), and celebrate 100 years of sparkle, sass and silver-screen magic.
Win a double pass! Thanks to the Capri Theatre we have two double passes to give away to see this at the Capri Theatre, Goodwood Saturday 7 June, 2-5:35pm (organ commences at 1:45).
To win a double pass, click the button below and complete the form by 9am Monday 27 April. Entries will be randomly selected and we will email the winners on Monday 27 April. | |
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Ticket Giveaway: Calle Malaga
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Win a double or buy one get one free pass
This is your chance to win a double pass to Calle Malaga (Malaga Street).
Coming to Australian cinemas on 23 April. Brimming with nostalgia, humour and hope, the legendary Carmen Maura stars in a sun-kissed love letter to Tangier, and to those who age with heart.
What would you risk to protect the life you know? Audience Award winner at the Venice Film Festival. | | | |
Courtesy of Potential Films ANZ, we are giving away 2 double passes and 5 "Buy One Get One Free" passes to see CALLE MALAGA in participating cinemas.
To win one of the passes, click the button below and complete the form by 9am Monday 20 April. Entries will be randomly selected and the physical passes will be posted out to winners. | |
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Let us know how we are doing | |
At COTA SA we always welcome your feedback so we can improve our services to you. If there's something you'd like us to know, please tell us using the button below. | |
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COTA SA acknowledges the Kaurna people of the Adelaide Plains as the traditional custodians of the land our headquarters occupy. We also acknowledge all Aboriginal nations throughout South Australia. We honour Aboriginal peoples’ continuing connection to Country and recognise that their sovereignty was never ceded. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging and extend that respect to all Aboriginal people. | |
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POSTAL ADDRESS
PO BOX 7024, Hutt Street SA 5000
STREET ADDRESS
Kaurna Country Level 1/85 Hutt St, Adelaide SA 5000
Office open to visitors Tues-Thurs 9am - 5pm, please call or email outwith these hours www.cotasa.org.au ABN 28 426 218 58
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COTA SA receives a commission from all insurance sales in South Australia. | |
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