Today I was pleased to launch Tasmanian Seniors Week 2015 at Milton Vineyard on our beautiful East Coast.
The Hodgman Liberal Government is an enthusiastic supporter of older Tasmanians and Seniors Week is an important annual event to celebrate their contributions and promote healthy ageing, including physical, mental, and social wellbeing.
Seniors are among are most active social and economic participants in our State as workers, volunteers, carers and key family and community figures.
Not only are seniors active across our community, they are also one of the most rapidly growing groups in our State.
In 2011, about 80,700 (16%) of the Tasmanian population was aged over 65 years, an increase of 7.5% since 2001.
On current trends, by 2056, more than 27% of the Tasmanian population will be aged over 65 years and 10% of the total population over 80 years.
The Hodgman Liberal Government recognises the vital contribution older people make to the social and economic wellbeing of the community and funds COTA Tasmania to produce, coordinate and promote the Seniors Week program.
This year, Seniors Week will begin on October 12 with the launch event being held today to mark the International Day of Older Persons.
It is appropriate that the launch is being held on the East Coast as Glamorgan/Spring Bay has the largest percentage of people aged over 65 in Tasmania.
This year’s Seniors Week program includes a record number of events around the State including many new ones on the East and West coasts.
More information about Seniors Week and the 2015 program of events can be found at http://www.cotatas.org.au/programs-events/sw2015
I congratulate COTA for its work in coordinating this year’s Seniors Week program and supporting older Tasmanians.
Guy Barnett, Parliamentary Secretary to the Premier
