Happy New Year and thanks for being part of the COTA SA community!

Thank you for being part of our community of supporters in 2024, and we look forward to working alongside you this year to make a difference to the lives of 700,000 older South Australians.

At COTA SA, we are focused on amplifying the voices of older people across many areas of life in South Australia. We connect and engage with diverse groups of older South Australians every day, listening to their insights and experiences, and translating them into evidence-based advocacy and programs and services to help people age well.

We are proud that our past advocacy continues to make a difference to the lives of older South Australians and to reducing cost of living pressures, including through 24/7 free metro public transport for Seniors Card holders, and doubling of the cost-of-living concession for renters in 2024.

As we step into a new year, work is already well underway across a range of issues that affect the lives of older South Australians. We will soon be releasing our 2025/26 State Budget submission which outlines our key recommendations and the investment required by the State Government to help South Australians to age well. Our submission has been shaped by your feedback, and the priorities you have told us matter to you. The most important of these right now are cost-of-living and access to health services.

Older South Australians tell us that they are experiencing cost-of-living pressures, including struggling to access vital healthcare services. As part of our advocacy on your behalf, we will continue to fight for free emergency ambulance services for South Australians on the full age pension. SA is the most expensive place to live in Australia if you are a pensioner and you need an ambulance. We are advocating for the State Government to level the playing field for older South Australians by making paramedic services affordable and accessible, as it is in other states.

We want to hear from as many older South Australians as possible and invite you to take part in our “How are you going” survey, which we launched late last year. By taking the survey, you can help us keep our finger on the pulse and focus on what is most important to older South Australians, and how this might change over time.

We are looking forward to an impactful year ahead across our advocacy and policy work, programs and events. Our team look forward to connecting with you, either by phone, email or in person at one of our upcoming events. We are always happy to hear from older South Australians and welcome you to contact us on 8232 0422 or email cotsa@cotasa.org.au.

As you look ahead at what 2025 entails for you, please get in touch if COTA SA can help you to age well this year. We can provide assistance to improve your strength and balance and prevent frailty, navigate the aged care system, connect you or someone you know with a community visitor, to share your opinions in research projects, or to get started as a volunteer.

Even if you’re not sure what you need, give us a call and our friendly volunteers and staff on Reception would be happy to make suggestions to point you in a helpful direction.

Thank you for being a part of our COTA SA community and I wish you all the best for 2025.

Miranda Starke
Chief Executive