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MEDIA RELEASE

8/03/2007

'Creative Seniors Pushing for a Fair go'

OLDER people in the Illawarra have had enough of facing social stereotypes in their everyday lives and have decided to do something about it.

They have taken positive steps to change their image and the way they are treated with the launch of a series of posters pointing out the wealth of wisdom and experience they have to offer the community.

The “Greatest Classroom Lies at the Feet of an Older Person” posters are a collaborative effort of members of the Healthy Cities Illawarra Aged Taskforce and are being launched as part of Seniors Week.

The text and content of the posters were decided on by members of the Taskforce themselves.

"The posters aim to act as a poignant reminder that older people are living in our community with rich history, tradition, wisdom and experience," Aged Taskforce member Pauline Milton said.

"The series is a culmination of ongoing discussion within the Taskforce about the frustration we feel in facing social stereotypes about older people. We feel this in daily activities: going to the shops, catching the bus, and buying groceries," she said.

“The posters feature local people and are designed to make people stop and think about the assumptions made about seniors in the community."

The four posters will be distributed throughout the Wollongong local government area to more than 500 businesses and services and will be accompanied with a fact sheet with considerations on providing quality customer service to older people.

Pauline said the Healthy Cities Illawarra Aged Taskforce had been active for 15 years, with the goal of speaking out about issues affecting older people and advocate for improved aged care services in the community.

"The Taskforce will continue to challenge social attitudes towards older people and to promote the vital contribution we make to our community through our ongoing activities," she said. "Anyone interested in the activities of the Aged Taskforce or who is interested in joining should contact Healthy Cities Illawarra."

Aged Taskforce members expressed their gratitude for assistance with the project to photographer Bernie Fischer, Wollongong School of Creative Living, Wollongong U3A, The Department of Disability, Home Care and Ageing and Wollongong City Council.

Healthy Cities Illawarra works to improve and promote the health, physical environment and quality of life of the people of the Illawarra. It is a non-profit, community based organisation and is part of a global movement founded by the World Health Organisation.

The posters can be downloaded here (pdf 631kb)

 For further information contact: Caitlin Marshall on 4226 5000 or 043 3177 785 or Frank Wallner on 4226 5000