COTA praises Government funding initiative

Council on the Ageing (COTA) CEO Sue Leitch has applauded a new joint initiative
between the organisation and the State Government, aimed at increasing the capacity of
older Tasmanians to be actively involved in community life.

The State Government’s Inclusive Ageing: Tasmania 2012-2014 Strategy was launched
today by Minister for Community Development, the Honourable Cassy O’Connor MP.

COTA will receive an additional $500,000 in funding over the next four years to work
collaboratively with the State Government on a number of new projects and initiatives.
Mrs Leitch said the strategy and additional funding would help COTA continue to address
the needs of older Tasmanians.

“COTA Tasmania has been the voice of older Tasmanians for 60 years, and with this
additional funding will be able to look at further ways to support older Tasmanians,
particularly those who may be socially isolated or at risk of social isolation,” Mrs Leitch
said.

“Isolation can occur for a range of reasons and this funding will allow us to collect more
data in the early stages of the projects to inform future development of the strategy.”

Mrs Leitch said as part of the strategy, issues such as access to information and social
connection as well as support for volunteers in the community and workforce participation
would be examined.

“There will also be a focus on age-friendly communities and providing a voice for older
Tasmanians on future planning to support both the development and sustainability of these
communities,” she said.

“Older Tasmanians are vital to our community and our focus at COTA Tasmania is to give
older people a voice, and to recognise the contribution that they make to all our lives.”

Council on the Ageing is a leading advocate and source of trusted information, giving
older Tasmanians a voice.

The Inclusive Ageing: Tasmania 2012-2014 Strategy is available for download from the
Community Development Division website www.dpac.tas.gov.au/divisions/cdd.
Council On The Ageing