Page 478 - Week 03 - Tuesday, 13 March 2007
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reaches a certain age does not mean that they can no longer work or make money through other ventures such as investment. Further, this is in line with the ACT government’s aim, which is to ensure that older Canberrans maximise their independence and control over their lives.
The ACT government is interested in promoting “positive ageing”. Through these policy endeavours we would likely see reduced demands on the health care system and other social services. However, the ACT government is also committed to ensuring that senior citizens are given access to health and wellbeing services when needed. As already mentioned by my fellow members, we have increased the number of beds in aged care facilities. Added to this, the ACT has a 24 hours a day, seven days a week, telephone and internet health advice line called Health First, which is staffed with registered nurses to answer questions from concerned individuals. It offers all people in the ACT region a confidential, reliable and consistent source of health care advice.
Clearly, older Canberrans can and do contribute to our society and will keep contributing in meaningful and useful ways. On Monday the Chief Minister presented Canberra Gold awards to 290 people who have been contributing to the Canberra community for 50 years or more. Last year at these awards I received my Canberra Gold award, and I feel very proud to have spent over 50 years contributing to our community here in Canberra. Last year I was able to chat to people who received that award, and some of them I had actually gone to Ainslie primary school with—in fact I think half the school was there. I met the father of one of my school friends who relayed stories of working with my father at the Ainslie Hotel in the early sixties.
This year, too, I had a chance to chat with many of the recipients, and another of my school colleagues introduced me to another gentleman who had worked with my father in the PMG. He told me a story about calling the office of Ben Chifley in the early hours in the morning to complain about his single men’s quarters—in those days the PMG workers were not provided with government houses in Canberra. He said he rang Mr Chifley’s office, asked why he had been waiting six months to get his government house here in the ACT, and the secretary made an appointment for him to see the Prime Minister at 8.00 pm that night, which this gentleman attended. I understand it was not too long after that that he received his government house here in Canberra—quite an extraordinary story.
More than 1,600 people received that award, and each of these recipients has made a valuable contribution to the Canberra community. A large number of seniors are volunteers. Many sporting, community, cultural and recreational organisations would simply not operate without the tireless efforts of these dedicated seniors. For example, seniors volunteer with the Australian Red Cross Meals on Wheels, as guides at the National Museum of Australia, with the Conservation Council and as volunteer drivers.
Clearly, senior citizens make a valuable contribution to the social fabric of our community and it is important that we have solidarity, respect and exchanges between generations.
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