Council calls for new Ageing Well Members after Seven Years

The Federation Ageing Well Committee is looking for new members. In 2017, Council endorsed the inaugural Ageing Well Committee and Ageing Well Ambassadors and after seven years are publicly calling for new members.

The Ageing Well Advisory Committee is made up of up to ten volunteers of the community, who are passionate about promoting a better lifestyle for everyone in their later years. The 2023/2024 committee members were Stanley Bromley, Wendy Eyers (Corowa), Liz Seeliger, Vivian Spilva (Mulwala), Jenny Enever, Mike Gardiner (Howlong), Yvonne Perrin (Oaklands), Jenny Hearn (Urana) and Councillor Representative, Cr Gail Law. 

There are currently four community representative positions available, and to be eligible you must be over 55, and reside in the Federation Council Local Government Area.

The Ageing Well Advisory Committee is a practical committee that provides advice and support for a range of Council activities, including ways to promote Ageing Well within the Federation Council area. Some of their key achievements include:

Ran focus groups and engaged with the broader community to assist Council develop the Federation Ageing Well Strategy 2018-2022 and the Federation Ageing Well Strategy 2024-2028 (underdevelopment).  Assisted Council to deliver actions from the Federation Ageing Well Strategy 2018-2022. Provided input and recommendations on Council draft strategies, plans and policies. Sat on Council advisory committees such as the Corowa Swimming Pool Advisory Committee and John Foord Oval Facility Advisory Committee. Two of the members are MLHD volunteer Physical Activity Leaders and currently run MLHD Gentle Exercise Programs in Howlong, Mulwala and Savernake. As well as the Aqua classes at the Corowa Aquatic Centre, and the Howlong Public Pool (during the summer season). Driven the NSW Seniors festival celebrations in Federation Council including the Baby Boomers Bus About (2018-2020), Festival of Fun for Seniors (2021), Seniors Big Day Out (2022), Something Old. Something New (2023 and Ageing Well Festival (2024). The 2021 Festival of Fun for Seniors was noted on a Legislative Assembly Hansard in NSW Parliament in May 2021. Assisted Council to develop the very popular Ageing Well Resource. Developed the Age Friendly Communication and Engagement Guide to help support Council and businesses to better consult and engage older people. Lobbied for council and businesses to use more age-friendly print, such as the changing of the Council rates notices to a more readable format. Advocated to Council and the Local Traffic Committee to improve footpaths and street crossings across the Council area. Advocated for improvements in communication, and transportation.  Provided advice to Council regarding age-friendly public swimming pools including active senior’s activities, recharge stations for mobility scooters, and accessibility inclusions. Worked with communities to improve first aid response across the Council area including the implementation of public access defibrillators and the development of a defibrillator register. Currently working on the Know Check Ask Campaign to help increase public awareness and understanding about the importance of using medicine safely.

The Ageing Well Advisory Committee meets at the Corowa Civic Centre on the first Monday of the month at 10:00 am. Members can join face to face or via video conferencing. 

If you are proactive and passionate about ageing well and enjoy being part of a fun and friendly group, we invite you to nominate to be a 2024/2025 member on the Federation Ageing Well Committee. An online nomination form is available on the Council website or alternatively you can obtain a hard copy form from the Corowa Civic Centre, Howlong Library, Mulwala Library or the Urana Council Office.

For more information contact Amber at Federation Council on (02) 6033 8999 or email [email protected].