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COTA SA E-NEWSLETTER
22 January 2026 | |
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A Message from the Chief Executive | |
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What would make 2026 a happy new year for you? The COTA SA team has spent the first weeks of the year reflecting on this question and thinking ahead to set our goals, priorities and action plans for 2026.
A major focus for our policy and advocacy work is the very important milestone ahead for South Australia with a state election just around the corner. In the coming weeks, we’ll be releasing our election platform, sharing publicly the policy recommendations we have made to Government and Opposition over recent months, drawing on extensive stories, insights and information gathered directly from older South Australians across the state.
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New appointment to the COTA SA Board | |
We’re pleased to welcome Adrian Skull to the COTA SA Board. Adrian is an experienced Chief Executive, executive coach, and change leader with a strong background in leadership and strategy.
Since retiring in 2021, he has become a sought-after facilitator, advising businesses and agencies on change, strategy, and governance. Adrian holds an MBA and Economics degree and brings extensive Board experience, including roles with Green Adelaide, Green Industries SA, and several other organisations.
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Adrian is passionate about advocating for older Australians and committed to strong governance and long-term organisational sustainability. | |
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COTA SA welcomes expanded PATS support for regional South Australians | |
We welcome the announcement that a re‑elected Labor Government will expand the Patient Assistance Transport Scheme (PATS), delivering improvements that will ease financial pressures for regional South Australians who must travel to receive essential healthcare.
COTA SA has championed the need for improved patient transport support over an extended period. Increased PATS support will have a significant impact on older South Australians in regional South Australia who consistently cite transport and access to health services as their major concerns, alongside cost of living. | |
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Minister Nat Cook MP talks concessions with COTA SA | |
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In December, Minister for Human Services and Minister for Seniors and Ageing Well Nat Cook MP visited our office and met with our Chief Executive Miranda Starke and Tailem Bend residents Don and Margo to chat about the concessions that are available to eligible older South Australians.
For more information and to find out what you might be eligible to receive, visit the website below, call the Concessions Hotline on 1800 307 758 or pick up a concessions brochure at a community centre near you. | |
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Where can you go to stay cool when home gets too hot? | |
Our Climate Change Group members share stories and information that they find useful with the hope that you will find it useful too! This time, they’re sharing ideas on where you can go to stay cool in hot weather. | |
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The Plug-in 2025: Our impact | |
Thank you for another year of active involvement sharing your experiences in 2025. The insights you shared in projects such as the Cost-of-living Navigation Program and COTA SA’s state election platform, provide impactful insights to the experiences of South Australians aged 50+.
Thank you to everyone who participated in our end of year survey. Here is what you shared with us "I felt valued and included. I liked that feeling". Nearly 91% felt their lived experience was valued and 89% felt their involvement was purposeful. 90% agreed that The Plug-in offers meaningful engagement opportunities, and 87% felt supported to share their experiences in ways that felt right for them. Read the complete results here.
The Plug-in has new and exciting projects coming up in 2026, join us and get involved. | |
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New Aged Care Act and Support at Home | |
How has your experience been with the implementation of the new Aged Care Act and Support at Home?
Visit COTA Australia’s website to view its new Express Video Series. Patricia Sparrow talks about the Aged Care Reforms, what older Australians are telling us about their Support at Home experiences and how COTA Australia is advocating for you or your loved ones.
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Change someone's world this year and become a volunteer COTA Visitor | |
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As the New Year begins, many people celebrate surrounded by friends and family—but for others, the season can feel incredibly lonely. You can help bring warmth and connection to someone who truly needs it. We’re looking for kind-hearted volunteers to visit lonely and isolated individuals as part of the Aged Care Volunteer Visitors Scheme to share a little time, conversation, and care. Just an hour can brighten a whole week.
Whether you’re hoping to give back, make new connections, or start the year with purpose, this is a beautiful way to make a real difference. Begin the year with kindness. Volunteer to visit someone who’s waiting for a friendly knock on the door. Make this New Year brighter—for them and for you. | |
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New year, new ways to get strong | |
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We are starting the year with new Strength for Life program materials to help you explore the different options available and find a program that suits you. Whether you’re already enjoying Strength for Life or thinking about starting, there’s a program designed to suit different abilities, goals and health needs. We’re also busy growing our network of local providers and instructors, which means more Strength for Life classes are on the way in communities across South Australia. If there isn’t a class near you just yet, keep checking back, new sessions are being added as our network grows.
It’s never too late to feel stronger and improve your health, wellbeing, and life. | |
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Member exclusive: Ongoing learning opportunities | |
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. As well as developing new skills, lifelong learning can contribute to ageing well with benefits including promoting brain health, staying active and engaged and making new social connections.
If you’ve been considering taking a course at WEA this could be the opportunity for you to take a fully subsidised course. | |
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Why Rainbow Hub SA matters In Rainbow Hub SA's latest videos, community members share a range of perspectives on why RHSA matters, short snippets filmed at their September launch.
You can subscribe to our YouTube channel for future videos. | |
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Rainbow Hub SA lunch
A monthly lunch for members of the LGBTI+ community over 50.
When: 12noon - 1:30pm, Thursday 22 January; 26 February; 26 March 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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South Australian Transport Subsidy Scheme | |
Have you heard of the South Australian Transport Subsidy Scheme (SATSS)?
SATSS is a State Government subsidised travel program for eligible people with disability aged 16 years and older who cannot safely use public transport either independently or accompanied by a companion or carer.
SATSS members can receive up to 80 subsidised trips every six months. For more information, visit the website. | |
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2026 Mourning in the Morning – Smoking Ceremony | |
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Shaped by members of our First Nations communities in conjunction with the Australia Day Council of SA.
South Australians are warmly invited to honour Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, histories, cultures and perspectives at the Australia Day Council of SA’s Mourning in the Morning  smoking ceremony event early on 26 January 2026 from 7.30am. 
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Aus Lights on the River Returns
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Aus Lights on the River returns in 2026, with a free program of vibrant, family-friendly events, concluding with spectacular fireworks over the River Torrens. These events are presented by the Australia Day Council. | |
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Echoes of Love at Centennial Park | |
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COTA SA Supporter Centennial Park has launched Echoes of Love, a special community letterbox inviting people to write personal letters to loved ones who have died.
Located in the Park’s tranquil Contemplation Court, the letterbox offers a gentle new way to reflect, remember and reconnect. Visitors can place a note in the letterbox during their time in the gardens—sharing memories, gratitude or the words left unsaid. | |
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Capri Giveaway: Love Soul Deep performs Aretha Franklin's hits + Respect
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Win a double pass!
Experience an afternoon of soul, sass, and sheer vocal power as 9-piece band Love Soul Deep brings the music of the Queen of Soul to life on stage—live, loud, and full of feeling. They’ll be serving up Aretha Franklin’s greatest hits with all the groove and guts they deserve, before we roll into Respect, the powerful film biography that charts Aretha’s rise from gospel roots to global icon. It’s a celebration of a voice that changed music—and a woman who demanded R-E-S-P-E-C-T. | | | |
Thanks to the Capri Theatre we have two double passes to give away at the Capri Theatre, Goodwood on Sunday 1 February, from 2pm-6pm.
To win a double pass, click the button below and complete the form by 9am Tuesday 27 January. Entries will be randomly selected and we will email the winners on Tuesday 27 January. | |
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SA Museum Giveaway: Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year exhibition
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To win a double pass, click the button below and complete the form by 9am Tuesday 27 January. Three entries will be randomly selected and we will email the winners on Tuesday 27 January. | |
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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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