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COTA SA E-NEWSLETTER
September 2026 | |
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Celebrating International Day of Older Persons 2026 | |
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Not long to go now until our special International Day of Older Persons (IDOP) celebration in Adelaide on 30 September at 10am. Held as part of South Australia's Week of Ageing Well, the event will be opened by the Minister for Seniors and Ageing Well, The Hon Katrine Hildyard MP.
Through a series of short, engaging talks, we'll hear from older South Australians who have faced some of life's biggest transitions and emerged stronger, more connected, and with a renewed sense of purpose.
There are still a few spots remaining on the waiting list so visit our website to learn more. | |
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COTA SA in the news: Stranded patients | |
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“When older South Australians can’t get the aged care supports they need, either in their home or in residential aged care, they are more likely to end up in hospital.” | |
COTA SA CE Miranda Starke has been in the media recently advocating on the issue of stranded patients, older South Australians who are unable to be discharged due to a lack of appropriate aged care places to meet their needs. Earlier this month, Miranda took part in a media call with the Minister for Health and Wellbeing Blair Boyer, where the State Government announced an investment in 20 additional transition care beds soon to open at Hampstead Rehabilitation Centre, providing additional capacity for older South Australians waiting for residential aged care to access to the support they need. | |
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A big thank you to everyone who joined us for our recent supporters event. It was a great opportunity to network and to hear from our CE, Miranda Starke and new Board President, Adrian Skull. We also took the opportunity to share just some of the impact that COTA SA has had over the past year through our advocacy as well as our various programs and services. We will be sharing this more widely with our subscribers soon.
Our Supporters contributions help COTA SA to make a difference; if you're part of an organisation whose values align with ours and would like to support the work of COTA SA we'd love to hear from you. | |
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IDOP event partners and sponsors | |
Our popular upcoming event in celebration of IDOP could not happen without the support of our sponsors who not only help us to make it happen but also keep it free for members of the community to attend. We'd like to introduce and thank our partners and sponsors - we couldn't deliver this fantastic event every year without them! | |
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Thank you to our Principal Partner, Kalyra | |
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Thank you also to our Supporting Partners, Resthaven and ECH | |
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New submission: Refresh of South Australia’s Disaster Resilience Strategy 2026–2030 | |
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COTA SA welcomed the opportunity to contribute to the refresh of South Australia’s Disaster Resilience Strategy 2026–2030. We welcome the commitment to build on Stronger Together: South Australia’s Disaster Resilience Strategy 2019–2024.
Our central recommendation is that the refreshed Strategy retain its community-based strengths while translating principles into practical action and applying an explicit ageing lens across preparedness, response and recovery. | |
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Climate Change Group: Recycling | |
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COTA SA's Climate Change Group is passionate about the actions that individuals can take, big or small, that help to care for the planet. Our Climate Change Group members share stories and information that they find useful with the hope that you will find it useful too! Today the topic is recycling. It often seems difficult to find a simple set of guidelines for recycling: what goes into which bin. And what about those things that don't go into any bin, what then? Members of the Climate Change Group have consolidated the various guides into a simple set which covers most items. | |
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Latest news from COTA Australia | |
The latest news from our colleagues at COTA Australia including information, research and commentary on national issues. Keep an eye on their website for all the latest news and updates. | |
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COTA Visitors and diversity! | |
We're excited to share the news that the COTA Visitors is expanding to integrate more diversity into our program, ensuring that it encompasses and includes people from a wide range of backgrounds (cultural and linguistic, social, life experiences, sexual orientation, gender and specific needs such as those who may be vision and hearing impaired). COTA Visitors Diversity Officer, Clara looks forward to spreading the word about becoming a volunteer COTA Visitor as well as the opportunity for people from diverse backgrounds to request a visitor. | |
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If you are interested in the diversity aspects of this program, contact Clara (Wednesdays and Thursdays) P: 08 8232 0422 or E: cvs@cotasa.org.au | |
Volunteers available in your area | |
Would you or someone you know like a friendly COTA visitor to visit every week or every fortnight? COTA visitors are available to visit people who - Live at home and have a Support at Home package (or are waiting for one)
- Live in Residential aged care
We have volunteers from a variety of different cultural backgrounds who are ready and waiting to be matched in their neighbourhood. | |
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If you're CHSP or Support at Home provider, the SA Sector Support and Development (SSD) Network in pleased to share Quick Cuts – a monthly newsletter. Click below to read the September edition. | |
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Member offer: Ongoing learning with WEA | |
New courses available now!
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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A warm welcome with Proactive Health | |
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Strength for Life is a great way to improve your strength, balance and confidence with exercise! Our Strength for Life providers offer a welcoming and supportive environment for older adults to stay active and work towards their individual health and fitness goals. Today we’re spotlighting provider Proactive Health who have sessions available in a number of locations, including in the Victor Harbor or Goolwa area.
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The Strength for Life Facebook page is live now - we look forward to sharing news and updates on there. Follow us for all the latest - or if you're a provider or instructor, we'd love to share your stories, send them through to sfl@cotasa.org.au!
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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: Carers SA, Carers Expo When: Thursday 1 October, 10am-2:30pm
Where: St Clair Recreation Centre, 109 Woodville Road Woodville
What: Seniors Expo When: Thursday 1 October, 10am-3pm
Where: Tailored Learning Community Centre, 8 Chivell Street, Elizabeth South
What: City of Marion Ageing Well Expo When: Tuesday 6 October, 1-3pm
Where: Cooinda Community Centre, 245 Sturt Rd, Sturt
What: Loxton Aged Care Expo When: Wednesday 7 October, 9am-12:30pm
Where: The Precinct, 27 Bookpurnong Tce, Loxton | |
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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 become part of The Plug-in’s community of Influencers, you can join The Plug-in today. Upcoming opportunities include projects to explore your experiences of Support at Home, effects of long COVID, understanding experiences of regional transportation, testing quality of life questionnaire and more. Register online at theplugin.com.au/connect or over the phone on 08 8232 0422.
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Support the work of COTA SA | |
For more than 60 years COTA SA has been working with and for older South Australians — and we simply couldn't achieve all we do without the generous support from our community. You may not know that one way you can support our work is to donate. If you're able do do so, we're grateful for donations of any amount. As a registered charity, every gift supports our work with older South Australians, and donations of $2 or more are tax deductible. You can donate online or contact us by phone and we'll be happy to talk about it with you. | |
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Rainbow Hub SA annual report
Read Rainbow Hub SA's 2025 - 2026 Annual Report and see what they have achieved over the last year working with community and partners. Read more of Rainbow Hub's latest news here. | |
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Rainbow Hub SA monthly lunch
Join Rainbow Hub SA for spring - their monthly lunch for members of the LGBTI+ community over 50.
When: 12noon - 1:30pm, Thursday 24 September, 22 October, 30 December Where: Treasury 1860, 144 King William Street, Adelaide
Booking: https://rainbowhubsa.com/connect/ or call 0427 084 265. Booking helps the venue plan for catering. If you're new there will be someone to welcome you.
Note: RHSA won’t be hosting a lunch on 26 November, as we have a Feast Festival High Tea on 14 November, but a table is booked under the name James for people who still want to gather. You just need to ring Treasury direct on 0413 603 987 to book your place.
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Next week is Dementia Action Week. Dementia is Australia’s leading cause of death, but it’s not talked about nearly enough.
Meaningful action on dementia and brain health at a systemic level is a key issue on which COTA SA has been advocating - but there's something else we can all do: talk about dementia. Start the small conversations, at home, at work in your community - visit Dementia Australia's Start a conversation page for information to support with all the different types of conversations to be had, whether with your GP, a person living with dementia, a carer and more.
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Stronger Together - Let's talk Dementia and Brain Health
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If you're in the Victor Harbor area, this free community forum is open to anyone interested in healthy ageing and brain health, people living with dementia, their families, friends and carers. Attendees will gain valuable insights into dementia, risk reduction strategies, available support services, while exploring how communities can work together to ensure people living with dementia remain connected, respected and supported.
When: Monday 21 September, 10am-1pm
Where: Victa Cinema 37-41 Ocean Street, Victor Harbor | |
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Know your weather. Know your risk. Heatwaves
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Starting 14th of September 2026, the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) is encouraging the community to prepare for heatwaves as part of their ‘Know your weather. Know your risk.’ campaign.
Severe and extreme heatwaves have claimed more lives than any other natural hazard in Australia. The bureau issues heatwave forecasts and warnings during the warmer months to help you prepare and stay safe. See BOM's Heatwave week flyer for links to information and resources on heatwaves and how you can be prepared. | |
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Better Health Coaching Service
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Helping South Australians make lasting healthy changes
Everyone deserves access to better health. The Better Health Coaching service is flexible, and provided free to eligible South Australians. South Australians who have completed the service are reporting positive changes to their health and wellbeing
Funded by Preventive Health SA, the Better Health Coaching Service offers up to 10 free telehealth coaching sessions for eligible South Australians aged 18 to 74 years with a BMI of 27 or above. Participants work one-on-one with qualified health professionals to set realistic goals. | |
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Inspiring South Australian Women's Award
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Do you know a South Australian woman who's quietly changing the world around her? Now's your chance to make sure she gets the recognition she deserves.
Nominations are officially OPEN for the 2027 Inspiring South Australian Women's Award - and they need your help finding this year's honourees.
Nominations close 31 October 2026 - don't let a great story go unheard | |
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Capri Giveaway: Capri's 85th Birthday Celebrations, celebrating all weekend!
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Celebrations start on Friday 9 October at 7pm with Nosferatu. As the centrepiece of the Capri’s 85th Birthday Weekend celebrations, experience one of the most influential horror films ever made as it was originally intended to be seen. For this special screening, the Capri’s mighty Wurlitzer theatre organ will return to its original purpose: providing a live musical soundtrack to a silent motion picture. Then on Saturday October 10 at 7pm, step back to 1941 – the very year this beloved theatre first opened its doors – for a remarkable double feature showcasing two of the most influential films ever made: The Maltese Falcon and Citizen Kane. Finally on Sunday October 11 at 2pm, head along for a very special family screening of Disney’s beloved classic Dumbo (also released in 1941, the year the Capri opened its doors.
Win a double pass! Thanks to the Capri Theatre we have one double pass to give away to each of these at the Capri Theatre, Goodwood between Friday 9 and Sunday 11 October.
To win a double pass, click the button below and complete the form, including indicating which event you'd like to attend, by 9am Tuesday 22 September. Entries will be randomly selected and we will email the winners on Tuesday 22 September. | |
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Ticket Giveaway: Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year exhibition at the South Australian Museum
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Discover nature at its most spectacular in the Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year exhibition at the South Australian Museum. Featuring award-winning images from one of the nation’s most prestigious photography competitions, the exhibition showcases extraordinary wildlife, landscapes and natural moments captured by talented photographers from around the world. This year’s exhibition celebrates the beauty, diversity, and wonder of the natural world through breathtaking photography that will inspire all.
The exhibition is currently on show at the South Australian Museum and will run until 14 February 2027. Thanks the South Australian Museum, we have 3 in season double passes to give away.
To win a double pass, click the button below and complete the form by 9am Tuesday 22 September. Entries will be randomly selected and we will email the passes to the winners on Tuesday 22 September.
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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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