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COTA SA E-NEWSLETTER
18 June 2025 | |
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Challenge ageism and elder abuse | |
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World Elder Abuse Awareness Day | |
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This Sunday, June 15, we marked World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD), when we shine a spotlight on elder abuse - one of the most insidious forms of ageism. Older people have the right to make their own decisions, work, stay safe, and be treated with dignity and respect - but ageist attitudes in our society may lead to their exclusion and underestimation.
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Conversations with Salisbury Seniors | |
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Thank you to everyone who joined us for our latest Conversation with Salisbury Seniors hosted in collaboration with the City of Salisbury.
The theme for the session was Shining a light on your rights, and included presentations from the Office of Ageing Well, My Aged Care, and an interactive workshop session presented by COTA SA's team from the Plug In, focusing on some of the cost-of-living challenges that are impacting so many in our community right now. The event also included a mini-expo, featuring the host organisations along with Aged Rights Advocacy Service, Northern Community Legal Service, My Aged Care, Services Australia, and the Office for Ageing Well. Attendees were able to explore the expo whilst enjoying morning tea. | |
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What you told us - State Budget 2025-26 | |
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"I struggle to see what is in this budget for either myself or older South Australians." – survey respondent | |
It’s been almost two weeks since the State Budget was handed down, and while the headlines have moved on, the concerns raised by older South Australians remain front and centre to us at COTA SA.
Our initial response on the day reflected what many were thinking — that older people were likely to feel disappointed by what the Budget offered. Since then, we've heard from many of you, and the sentiment has been echoed loud and clear: older South Australians feel forgotten and ignored in the State Budget. If you haven’t already, you can find our full coverage — including what you told us and our State Budget submission at the link below.
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Aged Care Act delay welcomed | |
"We welcome the Federal Government’s response to our call for a new commencement date for the Aged Care Act." – COTA Australia CEO, Pat Sparrow | |
Our colleagues at COTA Australia welcomed the recent announcement of a four month delay to the commencement of the new Aged Care Act, including the Support at Home program, saying that it is important to ensure older people have time to understand what the upcoming changes mean for them. The Act will now commence on 1 November. | |
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All the latest from Strength for Life | |
The Strength for Life community continues to grow, reaching more people and making a difference to the lives of thousands of older South Australians.
Read the latest news, community updates and how Strength for Life is going from strength to strength! In this edition of Strength for Life news: - Spotlight on Lefevre Community Centre and Adelaide University Fitness Hub
- Superhero instructors!
- Strength for Life is for everybody
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Cost-of-living challenges in regional and remote South Australia… we want to hear from you!
We are planning engagement activities in regional South Australia in August 2025. We want to understand the unique regional experiences of people facing cost-of-living challenges. Your input will help continue COTA SA’s advocacy and design support services that will meet needs of people aged 50+ in regional SA.
If you have previously registered for this project, thank you! We have your information and will be in touch soon. If you haven’t already, you can register through the link below. | |
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The Plug-in is COTA SA’s specialist consumer engagement and insights consultancy. We connect people with business, industry and researchers to generate insights that improve products, services and policies for the growing 50+ market.
If you would like to become part of The Plug-in’s community of Influencers, you can register with us online at theplugin.com.au/connect or over the phone on 08 8232 0422. | |
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For some years now, COTA SA has been involved in Ministerial Roundtables on the issue of ‘stranded patients’ in SA hospitals: older people who are medically fit but cannot be discharged largely due to a lack of residential aged care places. COTA SA has previously described this as a 'wicked problem', which falls between State and Federal responsibilities, and has no quick solution. COTA SA supports the State Government's initiatives to improve this situation, most recently with the announcement of 55 extra beds for older South Australians at Hampstead Rehabilitation Centre, following refurbishment works. | |
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Family, Domestic and Sexual Violence: Unique Experiences of Older Women in South Australia Report | |
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For the past 18 months, COTA SA has had an increasing focus on the unique experiences of older women with family, domestic and sexual violence as part of the Older Women experiencing violence research project supported by Office for Women.
The report from this project, Family, Domestic and Sexual Violence: Unique Experiences of Older Women in South Australia, brings together the voices of older women across South Australia, in order both to shed light on this important issue and to provide evidence for meaningful action leading to real, practical change.
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Empowering Health Together Expo | |
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COTA SA was delighted to take part in this annual health expo hosted by the Australian Refugee Association (ARA). This was a community driven event dedicated to promoting health awareness and wellbeing among refugees, new arrivals and multicultural communities. This year’s theme highlights the importance of collaboration in building healthier communities by providing culturally responsive services and resources; it was an excellent networking opportunity, and we thank ARA for their wonderful hospitality.
Pictured at the expo: Clara Tait, Cultural Diversity Officer with Mieke, one of our wonderful volunteers | |
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What to do about the new electricity prices | |
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COTA SA's Climate Change Group is passionate about the actions that individuals can take, big or small, that helps to care for the planet. One of these actions is sharing stories and finding reliable sources of information that are balanced and easy to understand. Today, they are sharing their advice for what you can do in response to the new electricity prices which come into effect from 1 July. | |
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Our community connect events team and staff are regularly out and about at expos and events. If you're in the area, please come and say hi!
What: McLaren Vale Village Health Expo When: Wednesday 25 June, 10am Where: 91 Main Road, McLaren Vale
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Rainbow Hub SA monthly lunch
A monthly lunch for members of the LGBTI+ community over 50. Celebrate Pride Month with Rainbow Hub SA. You can now book directly with Rainbow Husb SA for their monthly lunches.
When: 12noon - 1:30pm, Thursday 26 June, then 24 July and 28 August Where: Treasury 1860, 144 King William Street, Adelaide
Booking: https://rainbowhubsa.com/connect/ or call 0487 033 684. It really helps the venue plan for catering. If you're new there will be someone to welcome you. | |
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Rainbow Dog Action Group
Rainbow Dog Workshop #4 - A Call to Action
Rainbow Hub SA invites you to the fourth of their Rainbow Dog workshops to continue the very valuable work many have been involved in from the start.
When: 2:00 - 4:30pm Saturday 12 July
Where: Diverse City, 163 Gouger Street, Adelaide
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Rainbow Aged Care
This week, Sue Webb shared her experience on SBS News (starting at approx 32:30), reflecting on her move into Eldercare Goodwood, South Australia’s only aged care provider with Rainbow Tick accreditation.
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Do you know about free screening for breast cancer? | |
Screening for breast cancer saves lives and BreastScreen SA supports women from all cultural backgrounds to attend our service. All women aged 40 and over are eligible to have a free breast screen (screening mammogram) every 2 years at BreastScreen SA. It takes just 15 minutes and the female staff in the screening clinics create a safe and reassuring environment. | |
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Adelaide Desalination Plant – community open day | |
SA Water invites you to head along to check out the Adelaide Desalination Plant at their community open day - learn how they turn seawater into drinking water!
When: Tuesday 1 July Time: Choose from three 90 minute time slots
Where: Adelaide Desalination Plant, 16 Chrysler Rd, Lonsdale
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Capri giveaway - Love Soul Deep perform the hits of Tina Turner followed by ‘What’s Love Got To Do With It’ | |
Win a double pass!
Thanks to the Capri Theatre we have two double passes to give away to Love Soul Deep perform the hits of Tina Turner followed by ‘What’s Love Got To Do With It’ at the Capri Theatre, Goodwood on Sunday 29 June, 2-5:30pm
We don’t need another hero…Tina Turner is our hero! Come and celebrate this cultural icon, her powerful voice and incredible life story.
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Love Soul Deep, an eight-piece powerhouse band will bring the soul of Tina to life while they perform her greatest hits, live on stage. This will be followed by a screening of ‘What’s Love Got To Do With It,’ the movie based on her autobiography, starring Angela Bassett. Bar opens in foyer at 1pm, performance starts at 2pm, movie at 3:30. Find out more on the Capri website.
To win a double pass, click the button below and complete the form by 9am Monday 23 June. Two entries will be randomly selected and we will email the winners on Monday 23 June. | |
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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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