As the peak body for older South Australians, COTA SA frequently engages with diverse groups of older South Australians to hear what they think about issues facing them and understand what would make a positive difference to their lives.

Advisory groups have been one of COTA SA’s engagement mechanisms in recent years, with regional advisory groups in the Yorke Peninsula and Fleurieu Peninsula and LGBTI+ elders through the Rainbow Hub.

COTA SA has undertaken a review of its approach to connecting with older people across South Australia and, based on the advice and feedback from these groups, and taking into consideration our resources and strategic priorities, we have made changes that will allow us to build a more active engagement program that will extend COTA SA’s reach through a range of mediums.

A summary of these changes are outlined below:

Rainbow Hub

We are excited to share that the COTA SA Rainbow Hub is now operating independently run by volunteers under the new name of Rainbow Hub SA.

COTA SA is proud to have been a part of the creation of the Rainbow Hub. The Rainbow Hub has continued to grow since COTA SA first established it as an Advisory Group five years ago and has worked with COTA SA to offer a range of programs, services, events and activities for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI+) community aged 50+.

This change is exciting news for Rainbow Hub SA as it will allow them to expand their focus to issues, audiences, programs and activities that they are passionate about. COTA SA is pleased to be providing seed funding and other support to enable Rainbow Hub SA to thrive as an independent organisation, and we will continue to support Rainbow Hub SA in their evolution.

Providing a voice for older LGBTI+ people in South Australia is an ongoing priority for COTA SA, and we are committed to having LGBTI+ representation, both on our Policy Council and through The Plug-In, which continues to invite older South Australians to have their say on the issues that matter to them.

Click here to subscribe to Rainbow Hub’s new eNewsletter to stay in touch with Rainbow Hub SA, visit their website or follow them on Facebook @RainbowHubSA.

Fleurieu Peninsula Neighbourhood Network

COTA SA’s Fleurieu Neighbourhood Network has provided trusted local information, social connection, encouragement and support for older people in the Fleurieu Peninsula over the last three years.

The Federal Government funding that enabled the creation and ongoing staffing of COTA SA Fleurieu Neighbourhood Network through the Village Hubs project ended on 30 June 2024.

The Fleurieu Neighbourhood Network is continuing to operate but, this time, as an independent service run entirely by committed local volunteers. The Fleurieu Neighbouhood Network will continue to offer a weekly hub on Tuesdays 11am – 1pm at the Victor Harbor Library and a pop-up information service at events throughout the Fleurieu.

COTA SA looks forward to supporting the Fleurieu Neighbourhood Network volunteers in their new evolution as an independent group and we are delighted that the City of Victor Harbor is also able to offer some support to the group.

As the oldest regional population in South Australia, COTA SA is committed to continued engagement with the Lower Fleurieu Peninsula communities to understand the needs and priorities of older people in the Victor-Goolwa region and beyond. We will continue this engagement through representation on our Policy Council and a range of face-to-face opportunities including workshops, country listening posts and local events, and through a continued relationship with the Fleurieu Neighbourhood Network.

Yorke Peninsula Advisory Group

The Yorke Peninsula Advisory Group in its current format will no longer operate from 30 June. In its place, we are planning a dynamic and diverse calendar of engagement, to ensure that those in the area can continue to connect with COTA SA and that the voices of older South Australians across the Yorke Peninsula can be heard.

The unique geography of the Yorke Peninsula with key towns and populations spread over a wide area, has made convening monthly advisory group meetings challenging. As one of the oldest regional populations in South Australia, COTA SA is committed to continued engagement with the Yorke Peninsula community to understand the needs and priorities of older people in the Yorke Peninsula.

We will continue this engagement through representation on our Policy Council and a range of face-to-face opportunities including workshops, country listening posts, field days and other local events.