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COTA SA E-NEWSLETTER
May 2026 | |
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Federal Budget - what you told us | |
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The results are in from the Federal Budget survey we sent in the days following the Budget asking our subscribers to share their thoughts on the outcome. The insights shared reveal a community feeling forgotten, many of whom have the belief that the budget will negatively affect them personally with some even describing aspects of the budget package as ageist.
COTA SA's CE, Miranda Starke was quoted this week in InDaily's article on the Federal Budget: “The feedback from this budget was that it did nothing to alleviate any of that pressure on their daily lives. We heard a lot of comments from older people saying that they really felt forgotten, and they felt almost penalised for being older”.
For more information on the Budget, see COTA Australia's Federal Budget Policy Alert, a fourteen-page analysis of the budget and its implications for people aged 50 and over | |
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With the Federal Budget delivered, we now turn our attention to the upcoming State Budget, to be handed down on 4 June.
Watch this space as we'll shortly be releasing our State Budget submission which will feature the key issues raised in our recent election platform as well as looking to commitments made to older South Australians during the election campaign.
We’ll then share updates and analysis on Budget day and the days following. | |
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Share your experiences of receiving aged care services at home | |
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COTA SA's The Plug-in has partnered with COTA Australia and the Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN) to better understand their experiences accessing aged care services at home. If you are currently seeking or receiving aged care services at home or if you help care or support for someone who does, we want to understand what this has been like for you.
Please complete the short survey to help us capture your experiences. Your insights will help inform COTA Australia and OPAN’s advocacy to Federal government to help improve experiences.
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Thank you! National Volunteer Week 2026 | |
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This week is National Volunteer Week and we want to take this opportunity to thank our volunteers for the very many contributions they make to the work of COTA SA every day. Whether welcoming visitors and responding to callers at the COTA SA reception desk or providing admin support, providing strategic guidance and governance through our Board, supporting and contributing to policy development through the Policy Council, sharing their knowledge at community events and presentations, or as volunteer visitors making a difference in the lives of older people at risk of loneliness and isolation, all of our volunteers are an integral part of everything we do.
So, a big thank you to our volunteers - and to all volunteers out there sharing their time and skills and making a difference! | |
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We will be formally thanking our volunteers in person at a volunteer appreciation reception hosted by our patrons, Her Excellency the Honourable Frances Adamson AC, Governor of South Australia, and Mr Rod Bunten at Government House this evening - keep an eye on our social media and website for photos from the event. | |
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Blanchetown Ageing Well Expo | |
Our team were pleased to attend the inaugural Ageing Well Expo in Blanchetown this month, we really enjoyed meeting locals from the area and talking with them about their experiences of ageing in the region. It was also great to connect with some of the service providers in the area and think about how we might collaborate. A highlight of the event was a presentation from Sophie Thomson about how gardening can boost wellbeing as we age - from Vitamin D exposure from being in the sunshine, to beneficial microbes in the soil, to opportunities for gentle weightbearing exercise - connection to nature and gardens is good! Thanks to the Mid-Murray Council for the invitation to attend.
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Ageing Well Expo in Maitland | |
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The team are looking forward to getting out and about again in June. We hope you'll come and see us on the Yorke Peninsula on 25 June! We'll be at the Maitland Age Well Expo.
What: Maitland Age Well Expo When: 25 June, 10am - 2pm Where: Maitland Town Hall, 7 Robert Street, Maitland | |
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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!
COTA SA members have previously mentioned an interest in learning more about reducing waste, recycling and doing their bit to help the environment, today our Climate Change Group is sharing information on the options for recycling plastics. | |
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What would support you to age well in your community? | |
The Plug-in has partnered with City of Charles Sturt’s Ageing Well team to understand what supports the wellbeing of older people living in or connected to the City of Charles Sturt.
If you are 60+ and live in the City of Charles Sturt council area, we'd love to hear from you!
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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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From Port Lincoln to Mt Barker, these experienced Stay Strong Instructors spent last Sunday sharing ideas and successes at our latest Strength for Life Update Training session.
Collaboration across our Strength for Life network is one of the valuable ways we ensure our programs are the best pathway for you to remain strong, stable, and independent!
Find these fantastic Instructors and more at a site near you!
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If you're an Instructor, we have more training courses coming up, including our next Better Balance Training on 21 June.
Programs that focus on balance, strength, and functional movement are proven to reduce falls risk and improve confidence. That’s exactly what our Better Balance program is designed to support. | |
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If you're a Fitness Provider interested in exploring licensing Better Balance at your site, we'd love to hear from you - visit our website for more information or drop us an email at sfl@cotasa.org.au | |
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Reshaping the Future of Ageing
Professor Henry Brodaty AO, 2026 Senior Australian of the Year | |
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Join the Australia Day Council of South Australia (ACDSA) for Reshaping the Future of Ageing – a timely discussion on how staying active, connected and purposeful can support a fulfilling later life, while challenging traditional perceptions of ageing. We’re honoured to welcome Professor Henry Brodaty AO, 2026 Senior Australian of the Year and a globally recognised leader in brain health and dementia research. His groundbreaking work continues to transform how dementia is understood, diagnosed and treated - improving outcomes for individuals, families and communities across Australia and beyond.
Joining him are 2026 SA Senior Australians of the Year:
Malcolm Benoy ('Mac') - citizen scientist contributing to climate research
James Currie - filmmaker behind some of Australia’s most iconic stories
When: Wednesday 22 July 2026, 1:30pm - 3:30pm
Where: U City – 43 Franklin Street, Adelaide
Cost: $35, Concessions ACDSA Members, COTA SA Members $26
COTA SA is pleased to support this event.
Member Exclusive: We are delighted to share that ACDSA have offered discounted ticket prices to COTA SA members, make sure you select the COTA SA member ticket option when booking your spot.
If you're over 50 and aren't already a member we'd love to have you join us and access this ticket offer - find out more and join on our website. | |
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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: City of Salisbury – Art of Ageing Well Expo When: Wednesday 10 June, 10am - 1:30pm
Where: Salisbury Community Hub Library, 34 Church St, Salisbury
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Getting started with aged care
My Aged Care (MAC) is the main starting point for older people. It provides a single place to learn about available services, check eligibility, and begin the process of getting help. By contacting MAC online or by phone, you can get information, arrange an assessment, explore different care options, and be connected with local service providers.
It is designed to make accessing aged care services simpler and ensure people are guided to the supports that best suit their needs. Visit MAC online at www.myagedcare.gov.au or call MAC on 1800 200 422. My Aged Care hours are 8am – 8pm on weekdays and 10am–2pm on Saturdays. | |
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Rainbow Hub SA lunch
A monthly lunch for members of the LGBTI+ community over 50.
When: 12noon - 1:30pm, Thursday 28 May, 25 June, 23 July 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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Australia's largest surveys of the health and wellbeing of LGBTIQA+ adults:If you are LGBTI+, aged 18+, this is your chance to stand up and be counted! It is important that any survey of this kind also hears the voices of older LGBTI+ South Australians.
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Government House Open Day with History Festival of South Australia | |
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Open Days are held twice a year at Government House and are an opportunity for members of the public to explore the residence of the Governor of South Australia. COTA SA Patrons, Her Excellency the Honourable Frances Adamson AC, Governor of South Australia, and Mr Rod Bunten invite members of the public to step inside Government House, explore the public rooms, and learn about the history of one of South Australia’s oldest buildings, alongside its contemporary role as the official residence of the Governor.
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Know Your Rights: VAD in Aged Care | |
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Research from Go Gentle Australia shows two thirds of aged care providers don't publish any public information about VAD in their aged care homes, even though it's legal in all six states and the ACT. That's why they've created Know Your Rights, a guide to VAD in Aged Care. This booklet explains your rights and questions to ask your aged care home to find out if they support VAD. They also have a searchable database with 70 of the largest providers of aged care homes in Australia.
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Win a pass: 2026 Waterhouse Natural Science Art Prize exhibition | |
Art and science collide as the Waterhouse Natural Science Art Prize calls established and emerging artists to turn their gaze to the natural world. One of Australia’s most prestigious art prizes, this biennial prize invite us to think about our environment and our impact on it as 74 finalist works map the rich and diverse intersection of nature, science, and art. | | | |
Thanks to the South Australian Museum we have three double passes to give away to this exhibition on display at the South Australian Museum until Sunday 19 July 2026. Open daily, 10am to 5pm. For more information, and to book, visit the website.
To win a double pass, click the button below and complete the form by 9am Tuesday 26 May. Entries will be randomly selected and we will email the winners with the digital passes on Tuesday 26 May.
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Capri Giveaway: Wallace & Gromit - Curse of the Were Rabbit Kid's Nostalgia event
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Dust off your bunny ears and round up the family for an afternoon of old-school fun at the Capri! Kicking things off with a classic cartoon to warm up those giggles, before stepping back in time for a short silent comedy brought gloriously to life by John Slater on the mighty WurliTzer theatre organ. There’s nothing quite like the sound of pipes, pedals and playful melodies filling the Art Deco auditorium — just as it did in cinema’s golden age.
Then it’s time for cheese, chaos and colossal carrots with the beloved claymation adventure Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit. | | | |
Win a family pass! Thanks to the Capri Theatre we have two family passes to give away (2 adults and 2 children or 1 adult and 3 children) to see this at the Capri Theatre, Goodwood Sunday 14 June, 2-4pm.
To win a double pass, click the button below and complete the form by 9am Tuesday 26 May. Entries will be randomly selected and we will email the winners on Tuesday 26 May. | |
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Capri Giveaway: Love Soul Deep & The Blues Brothers
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Get ready to shake a tail feather at the Capri. Before the suits, the sunglasses and the squad car chaos hit the big screen, Love Soul Deep – a powerhouse 9-piece band – will bring the rhythm and blues to life on stage with a live set inspired by The Blues Brothers.
Then settle in for the film that turned a sketch from Saturday Night Live into a full-throttle musical comedy classic — complete with legendary cameos from Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles and James Brown.
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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 Friday 5 June, 7-10:45pm
To win a double pass, click the button below and complete the form by 9am Tuesday 26 May. Entries will be randomly selected and we will email the winners on Tuesday 26 May.
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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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