May 2023 marks two years since people aged 50+ and living on Yorke Peninsula embraced the opportunity to actively participate in COTA SA activities by joining the local Yorke Peninsula Advisory Group.

Through COTA SA — the peak body representing the interests of 700,000 older South Australians — the Yorke Peninsula Advisory Group gives a voice to people aged 50+, helps influence advocacy for local issues and informs residents about activities that promote ageing well.

On 5 April 2023, COTA SA and the Yorke Peninsula Advisory Group are hosting an event to bring older voices together in conversation about ageing on the Yorke Peninsula.

COTA SA President, Anne Edwards AO will provide an overview of the initiatives that COTA SA is advocating for on behalf of older people living in regional South Australia.

Those attending will also get a deeper understanding about the history and journey of the Yorke Peninsula Advisory Group over the last two years, while local community members will share their personal experiences of ageing in the region, particularly around the challenges attached to transport, health and digital inclusion.

COTA SA acting CE, Miranda Starke says the engagement of people aged 50 years and over on the Yorke Peninsula is incredibly important for COTA SA to ensure their interests are heard along with those from metropolitan Adelaide.

“Regional South Australia is facing unique challenges as its population ages and older people have joined the Yorke Peninsula Advisory Group to ensure these challenges are understood and raised as part of COTA SA’s representations to business and government – for example in COTA SA’s submission to the State Government in the lead-up to the upcoming 2023/24 state budget,” Miranda says.

“At our event on 5 April, we’ll be calling on the audience to participate in a conversation and workshop about their experiences and expectations to ensure future advocacy efforts of the Yorke Peninsula Advisory Group are meaningful and relevant.” Chair of the Yorke Peninsula Advisory Group, Vivienne Lambert says Advisory Group members have the valuable opportunity to provide local views to COTA SA on issues that need to be raised with key decision-makers. “The Yorke Peninsula Group has contributed local views to COTA SA on combatting ageism, navigating change, health and transport services, and promoting local opportunities to age well”. Ms Lambert said.

The free event, Growing older on the Yorke Peninsula, will be held on Wednesday 5 April 2023 at Moonta Golf Club between 10am – 12:30pm. Morning tea will be provided.
Register by 31 March or contact COTA SA directly on 1800 182 324 or events@cotasa.org.au