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COTA SA E-NEWSLETTER
20 August 2025 | |
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Planning for ageing well in South Australia | |
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Our Policy and Advocacy team recently attended the Statewide Conversations with Older South Australians Consolidation Workshop, where we explored the findings of the engagement process that Office for Ageing Well has undertaken as it prepares a new 10-year strategy for ageing well in South Australia. It was a lively and dynamic discussion, exploring broad themes to optimise ageing well.
We heard about what these statewide conversations have been revealing about ageing well in South Australia and then spent time in groups discussing some of the key issues and actions. The new document is scheduled for launch in 2026. | |
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COTA SA responds to the Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Royal Commission report | |
“Older victim-survivors will now have a voice in shaping the design of new services and solutions, a critical step toward truly inclusive and effective responses to violence." | |
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As one of only two organisations called to give expert evidence at the Royal Commission from the perspective of older people, and drawing on our evidence-based research, COTA SA is pleased to have contributed to ensuring that older people were considered and included in the report’s lived experience recommendations,” Miranda says. | |
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SA Retirement Villages Residents Association | |
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Pictured L-R: Miranda Starke, Margaret Tuffin, Rebekha Sharkie, Margaret Hawkins | |
Our Chief Executive, Miranda Starke was pleased to be invited as a guest speaker, along with Rebekha Sharkie Federal Member for Mayo, at the recent AGM of the SA Retirement Villages Residents Association (SARVRA). Congratulations to the newly elected SARVRA committee led by new chair Margaret Tuffin (previously deputy chair) and Margaret Hawkins as deputy chair (previously chair). We have worked closely with SARVRA over many years and continue to do so, most recently to advocate for improvements to the Retirement Villages Act and regulations in order to make contracts fairer and more transparent.
COTA SA is proud to be part of the Retirement Village advisory group for Office for Ageing Well and we warmly encourage ongoing feedback and insights directly from residents and our community via our usual channels. We have also recently welcomed former SARVRA committee member Pam Castle to our Policy Council and know she will continue to bring the experiences of Retirement Village residents to our policy discussions.
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Be scam aware - Stop.Check.Protect. | |
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Next week is Scams Awareness Week - anyone can be scammed but together we can fight back following 3 simple steps: Stop. Check. Protect. to keep us all safe from scams.
Members of our community continue to notify us that they have received emails impersonating COTA Australia, claiming to offer a free heart or health monitoring kit. We want to assure our community these emails are NOT from COTA. If you receive any suspicious email follow the 3 steps to stay safe from scams - STOP: Don’t give money or your information to anyone if at all unsure and don't click links or download attachments.
- CHECK: Ask yourself if the message or call is fake - if you're unsure say no, hang up or delete. Only contact businesses or government using contact information that you find yourself from their official website or app.
- PROTECT: Act quickly if something feels wrong. Seek help and report the scam to Scamwatch.
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New sessions in Edwardstown! | |
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If you live near Edwardstown, there are new Strength for Life sessions available for you starting now. The EM Fitness and Therapy team are looking forward to welcoming attendees to sessions on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10:15 at X Road Fitness in Edwardstown. Give them a call on 0424 729 425 to find out more and get involved.
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Something new is coming… soon | |
We’ve been working behind the scenes on exciting new materials to help even more older South Australians discover and benefit from Strength for Life exercise programs. We’ll be sharing a sneak peek very soon, so stay tuned! | |
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What is important for COTA SA to know as we head into an election year?We are connecting with people aged 50+ in the Fleurieu and Yorke Peninsulas to better understand what is happening in their local area. If you are an older person living in these regions, what cost-of-living pressures are you experiencing? What other concerns are important for us to understand?
Join us for our interactive forums in the Fleurieu Peninsula, 28 August and Yorke Peninsula, 4 September.
Watch this space - Metropolitan engagement opportunities will become available in the coming months. | |
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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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COTA SA regularly makes submissions on behalf of older South Australians to governments, regulators and other bodies on a broad range of topics to influence the decisions and actions that affect them. Recently we made the following submission: | |
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Repair Cafes: Fixing things rather than dumping them!
Our Climate Change Group members share stories and information that they find useful with the hope that you'll find it useful too! In this edition, Repair Cafes...
Things break eventually. When this happens, the temptation is to chuck them in the bin and buy a replacement. But it’s annoying: it feels like wasting money, particularly if it’s just one small bit that doesn’t work anymore. That's where Repair Cafes come in! | |
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New Aged Care Act & Support at Home resources | |
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The new Support at Home program starts from 1 November, replacing the current Home Care Packages program. Support at Home is being implemented in response to recommendations from the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety. The Support at Home program aims to support older people to live at home for as long as they wish and can do so safely.
The government has a number of resources to help you understand what and how changes will impact you.
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Our Community Connect events team and staff are regularly out and about at expos and events. Recently we were pleased to attend the recent Murray Bridge Rotary Aged and Carers Expo. A big thank you to everyone who came by our stand to say hi, find out more about COTA SA and share their thoughts with us.
Our knowledgeable staff and volunteers are available to attend community events to share more about COTA SA - find out more on our website.
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Rainbow Hub SA monthly lunch
A monthly lunch for members of the LGBTI+ community over 50. You can now book directly with Rainbow Hub SA for their monthly lunches.
When: 12noon - 1:30pm, 28 August, 25 September and 23 October 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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Call for applications to join the Aged Care Council of Elders | |
Expressions of interest are open now: The Government is seeking applications from older people with lived experience of the aged care system to join the Aged Care Council of Elders from January 2026. The Council of Elders is a diverse group of older people representing the make-up of modern Australia which delivers advice to government on how best to support older Australians in aged care. | |
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Free SAPOL information sessions | |
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South Australia Police's Road Safety Centre is holding FREE sessions for older road users at 10am and 1pm on Wednesday 27 August 2025 at the West Beach Road Safety Centre.
The Drive Smart, Stay Safe: Empowering Older Road Users Road Safety Session is aimed at older road users wanting to stay up to date with road rules and assessing their fitness to drive. Whilst this session is targeted at those aged 70 or above, all road users are welcome to attend. | |
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If your club or community group is seeking a speaker Voluntary Assisted Dying SA (VADSA) welcome enquiries to attend your gathering and provide information on voluntary assisted dying in South Australia. Topics covered include SA legislation, how to access VAD, the past and future of VAD in SA, and VAD laws across the States. Contact VADSA for more information 0421 305 684 or visit their website. | |
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Free open day at the Capri If you’ve ever wanted to see behind the scenes, find out how the organ works or even have a try, this FREE EVENT is your big chance.
Capri Theatre, Goodwood on Sunday 24 August, 2-5pm. Built in 1941, the heritage-listed Capri theatre and its 100 year-old WurliTzer theatre organ are two of Adelaide’s treasures.
• Backstage and heritage tours • Organ demonstrations • Trading table • SALA photo exhibition
Read more | | | |
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Capri giveaway: Alessandro Pittorino – Theatre Organ Concert | |
Win a double pass!
Thanks to the Capri Theatre we have three double passes to give away to Alessandro Pittorino – Theatre Organ Concert at the Capri Theatre, Goodwood on Sunday 14 September, 2-4pm
Alesandro Pittorno is a distinguished Australian organist, internationally recognised for his commanding performances and innovative musical vision.
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Don’t miss this rare opportunity to see and hear Alessandro Pittorino playing the mighty Capri WurliTzer theatre organ. Find out more on the Capri website.
To win a double pass, click the button below and complete the form by 9am Monday 25 August. Two entries will be randomly selected and we will email the winners on Monday 25 August. | |
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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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