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COTA SA E-NEWSLETTER
9 July 2025 | |
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Ageing in country South Australia | |
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COTA SA's 2025 country Listening Posts
Earlier this year, we travelled across regional South Australia to hear directly from older people about what ageing well really means in their communities – from what they love to the challenges they are facing.
We’re excited to share our new report capturing these important insights. | |
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Conversations in the City | |
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Thriving in a digital age | |
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A big thankyou to everyone who joined us for our latest Conversation in the City, Thriving in a Digital Age - we welcomed a full house of engaged attendees. The event opened with IT 4 Retirees sharing useful tips and tricks for the many ways you can get the most out of your smartphone and tablet. Next up, the team from Uniting Communities Law Centre shared their expert advice on the threat of scams - what they are, how to spot and avoid them and what to do if you are scammed.
These events are proudly supported by City of Adelaide, watch this space for future Conversations in the City.
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Scam emails are circulating claiming to be from COTA targeting older Australians and offering a free heart or health monitoring kit. We want to assure our community that these emails are NOT from COTA.
If you receive one of these emails, please do NOT click links, share personal information or download attachments.
If you receive a suspicious looking email, even if it looks like it’s from us, please follow the advice of Scamwatch and STOP, CHECK, PROTECT. You can check with us first by calling 08 8232 0422 or emailing cotasa@cotasa.org.au to confirm if it's legitimate.
Learn more about scams and how to protect yourself by visiting the Scamwatch website. | |
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Research and Engagement Officer, The Plug-in
Are you passionate about designing research that makes a real difference? Do you want to deliver research projects that influence projects, policies and programs for older South Australians? If so, we could have a role for you; COTA SA is seeking an experienced researcher to join our team at The Plug-in.
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Get Better Balance with Strength for Life! | |
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Following our recent training session, these instructors are now ready to help you build stability and reduce your risk of falls! Our Nationally Accredited Better Balance Program upskills Instructors to be able to assess balance, understand the components of balance, and program classes that suit your needs.
If you are interested in becoming a Better Balance Instructor, please visit our instructors page. If you're interested in joining a Better Balance class, stay tuned for our new website launching soon! If you would like to join an existing Strength for Life class near you, find details on our Strength for Life Providers page. | |
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SFL Instructor Start-up Initiative | |
We’re delighted to launch the Strength for Life Instructor Start-Up Initiative, a partnership between COTA SA and Preventive Health SA.
This initiative supports eligible South Australian instructors to deliver inclusive, strength-based exercise for older adults, with fully subsidised training, start-up support, and mentoring to grow or kickstart their fitness business.
Qualified instructors are encouraged to apply early. Read on for more information and to get involved. | |
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Project Callout: What cost-of-living challenges are you facing? Seeking regional participants to share their experiences!
The Plug-in, an initiative of COTA SA, has partnered with the Wyatt Trust to focus on engagement with South Australians aged 50+ who have recent experience in financial hardship.
We have heard from older South Australians in metropolitan Adelaide about the stress of navigating rising costs. Can you help us understand the unique challenges facing people in regional communities?
Your voice matters and is a vital part of shaping support services that reflect the experiences of people aged 50+ living in regional and remote South Australia. By getting involved in this project, your experiences will help ensure that any supports developed are inclusive, relevant, and co-designed with regional perspectives at the centre. | |
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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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In memory of Geoffrey (Geoff) Jenkins | |
The COTA SA team was saddened to learn of the recent passing of Geoffrey (Geoff) Jenkins, a long-standing and valued member of The Plug-in community.
Geoff was a very active and enthusiastic contributor to many research projects, often travelling from his regional home to take part. His insights and willingness to share his experiences made a lasting impact. Geoff’s hope was always that his contributions might help improve the lives of others.
We thank Geoff for his many contributions and extend our heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones. | | | |
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The Care Squeeze - ABC Radio Adelaide | |
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One of our key roles is representing what matters to older South Australians, often on complex issues. Last week COTA SA Chief Executive, Miranda Starke joined a panel on ABC 891 Radio Adelaide to discuss the issues faced by those in the sandwich generation - people who may be caring for both older and younger family members and are often juggling work commitments with their caring responsibilities.
Miranda talked about ensuring older people maintain agency in decision-making, and also drew listeners' attention to programs like Aged Care navigators who can help vulnerable people to interact with aged care services and other community supports as necessary. | |
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Discussion starts at 1.36; Miranda is on from 2.07. Other panelists in the segment included Ross Womersley from SACOSS and Associate Professor Stephanie Harrison from the Flinders University Caring Futures Institute. | |
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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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Webinar for CHSP providers: Effective ways to engage with older consumers | |
The Plug-in and COTA SA recently delivered a free webinar, supported by Sector Support & Development funding, for CHSP providers to learn all about effective ways to engage with older consumers. If you couldn't attend or want to watch it again, It's available now on our Youtube channel. The presentation includes - How to elevate the consumer voice in delivering in-home care
- Tips for best-practice engagement with older people to discover what matters most to them
- Practical strategies for how to engage with older people at board level
- Where The Plug-in research team can offer support
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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 (RHSA). You can now book directly with Rainbow Hub 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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RHSA Finalist in 2025 SA Pride Awards
The second annual South Australian Pride Gala was a sold-out celebration of visibility, legacy and pride held at the Adelaide Festival Centre on 27 June. Over 300 people packed the Banquet Room for a truly memorable event, including several members of the Rainbow Hub SA Committee. As a finalist in Community Group of the Year category, Rainbow Hub SA would like to congratulate Diverse–City as the community group to take out this category.
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Need advice about residential parks? | |
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COTA SA has a valued longstanding relationship with SARPRA (SA Residential Parks Residents Association) whose volunteer committee works tirelessly to answer queries and support residential parks residents to know and exercise their rights under the Residential Parks Act. Visit the SARPRA website for more information.
Alternatively, you can also get advice and services from: - RentRight SA, visit their website or call 1800 060 462
- Consumer and Business Services (CBS) - call 131 882 to talk to one of their CBS Advice Officers
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Australian of the year nominations are open now | |
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The Australian of the Year Awards celebrate extraordinary Australians who make a profound impact on lives, communities and society. Their challenges and triumphs, often reaching beyond professional achievements, reflect each recipient’s unique life journey. While the Awards focus on the year of recognition, they also honour the individual’s lifelong and ongoing contributions to the nation. If you know someone over 65 who you think achieves and makes a difference you can nominate them for the Senior Australian of the year. | |
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Dementia Australia's groundbreaking podcast
Dementia Australia's Hold the Moment podcast shares uplifting stories about people living with dementia and their loved ones. Listen online today or subscribe on your favourite podcast platform. | |
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It's NAIDOC Week and this year NAIDOC Week marks a milestone 50 years of the week-long celebrations with the theme, The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy, which celebrates achievements of the past and the bright future ahead.
Visit the website to read more about NAIDOC Week and how you can show your support. | |
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Capri giveaway - Exhibition on Screen – Michelangelo: Love and Death | |
Win a double pass!
Thanks to the Capri Theatre we have two double passes to give away to Exhibition on Screen – Michelangelo: Love and Death at the Capri Theatre, Goodwood on Sunday 27 July, 4-5:30pm
The spectacular sculptures and paintings of Michelangelo seem so familiar to us, but what do we really know about this Renaissance giant? Michelangelo’s genius is evident in everything he touched.
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Through expert commentary, stunning visuals and Michelangelo’s own words, this film takes a fresh look at a master artist whose life and genius are celebrated in every mark he made. Returning to cinemas in 2025 to celebrate this iconic artist’s 550th birthday. Find out more on the Capri website.
To win a double pass, click the button below and complete the form by 9am Monday 14 July. Two entries will be randomly selected and we will email the winners on Monday 14 July. | |
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Adelaide Rep ticket giveaway - Shakespeare in Hollywood | |
Win a double pass!
Thanks to The Adelaide Repertory Theatre we have two in-season double passes to give away to Shakespeare in Hollywood at The Arts Theathre, 53 Angas Street, Adelaide 17-20 and 23-26 July
The acclaimed play Shakespeare in Hollywood by Tony Award-winning playwright Ken Ludwig is set to enchant audiences with its witty dialogue, fast-paced humour, and star-studded intrigue.
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Based on the original film, it's a ‘don’t miss’ screwball comedy with supernatural elements, a fun-filled romp that pays homage to both Shakespeare and the golden age of Hollywood. Find out more on the website.
To win a double pass, click the button below and complete the form by 9am Friday 11 July. Two entries will be randomly selected and we will email the winners on Friday 11 July. | |
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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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