ACT Seniors and Veterans Newsletter February 2020 Contents Page Events, Awards and Grants ................................................................................................... 1 Recreational, Health and Wellbeing ..................................................................................... 7 Information and Assistance ................................................................................................ 15 Training and Education ....................................................................................................... 19 Volenteering ....................................................................................................................... 21 Mailing List and Future Articles .......................................................................................... 21 Page 1 of 21 Grants, Awards and Events Veterans Grants Program 2019-20 The second round of the Veterans Grants Program is now open The primary aim of the Veterans Grants Program is to support veterans and their family’s wellbeing and social inclusion. To best meet the needs of the veteran community, a focus on ageing veterans, contemporary veterans and veterans’ families might be considered collectively or separately as the focus of the grant application. Applications are sought for innovative projects that promote veterans as valued members of the ACT community and enable them to participate in community activities. A maximum of $5,000 is available per grant. To apply, visit http://www.communityservices.act.gov.au/home/grants Applications close at 5pm, 30 March 2020 Seniors Grants Program 2019-20 The second round of the Seniors Grants Program are now open The Seniors Grants Program provides funding for innovative projects that promote seniors as valued members of the ACT community and enable their active participation in community life. The Program has a particular emphasis on supporting projects which address the areas of elder abuse, enhanced social inclusion and those that address the needs of diverse seniors, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander elders and Culturally and Linguistically Diverse seniors. A maximum of $2,000 is available per grant for innovative and dynamic new programs/ projects or equipment to promote seniors in our community. To apply, visit https://www.communityservices.act.gov.au/wac/seniors/grants Applications close at 5pm, 30 March 2020 Page 2 of 21 12th Anniversary of the National Apology to The Stolen Generations Event This year will be the 12th Anniversary of the National Apology to The Stolen Generations. ACTCOSS, the Gulanga Program team and the Dhunlung Yarra Service team from Relationships Australia Canberra and Region would like to invite you to come and share in some time for reflecting on this traumatic era which is embedded in our Australian history. This year we would like to do something different in getting the stories across to the broader community about the effects of trauma, and in this case intergenerational trauma. This year we will have some Aboriginal people from across the generations come together and recite some poems written by survivors that describe how it felt to be left powerless about what was happening to them as human beings and having no control over it. There will be other performers on the day that will allow you to share the strength and resilience of Australia’s First Peoples. This will be a catered event so please stay and enjoy a light lunch with us. Please keep this date and time free to come and experience a wonderful portrayal of resilience that allows many Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people to work through the grief experienced while maintaining their integrity through these traumatic times. When: Thursday 13 February 2020, 10.30am to 1.30pm Where: Tuggeranong Arts Centre, 137 Reed Street N, Greenway RSVP: The venue has a capacity of 100 people, so please RSVP through Eventbrite ASAP: https://apology2020.eventbrite.com.au Transport: A number of buses including the R4, 70 & 81 arrive at Tuggeranong Bus Interchange, a 7-minute walk from the Tuggeranong Arts Centre. Parking: Paid parking is available on Reed Street N. Page 3 of 21 Healthy Canberra Grants: Focus on Reducing Smoking-Related Harm This grant program is seeking applications from community-based groups for programs that focus on preventing and reducing harm from smoking. Tobacco smoking remains a leading cause of preventable death and disease in Australia. Quitting smoking, at any age, has immediate benefits for health and wellbeing, and reduces the risk of developing tobacco- related disease. Preventing or delaying the uptake of smoking in young people not only has direct health benefits but also greatly reduces their ongoing smoking behaviour as adults. Healthy Canberra Grants: Focus on Reducing Smoking-Related Harm aims to fund programs that: • reduce the number of people in population groups with a high prevalence of smoking • prevent or delay the uptake of smoking • prevent the harms associated with electronic cigarettes and other new smoking products There is up to $850,000 in funding available to support programs of up to three years duration, commencing in the 2020/21 financial year. Applications are due by 4pm 17 February 2020. For more information, including accessing the application form and funding guidelines, please visit the ACTHPGP’s webpage at www.health.act.gov.au/hpgrants, call us on 5124 9456 or email [email protected]. Responding to Elder Abuse in the ACT The ACT Human Rights Commission and Legal Aid ACT invite you to attend a community forum to explore the ACT Government's discussion paper on Elder Abuse Reform. When: Wednesday 5 February 2020, 2pm to 4pm Venue: Legal Aid, 2 Allsop Street, Canberra RSVP: By Monday 3 Feb to [email protected] or 6207 8908 The panel will include the following speakers: • Jane Campbell, Deputy CEO Legal Aid ACT • Elizabeth Samra, Older Persons Legal Service • Karen Toohey, ACT Discrimination, Health Services, Disability and Community Services Commissioner • Ms Kathryn McKenzie, Director of Operations, NSW Ageing & Disability Commissioner. Page 4 of 21 2019-20 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Grants Program The grants program aligns with several Focus Areas under the ACT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Agreement 2019-2028 (the Agreement). The Agreement is a policy framework which supports Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to exercise self-determination and have the ability and resources to provide their own solutions, acknowledging that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leadership is central to the process of ensuring the long-term emotional and physical wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. The grants program consists of three (3) components which are: 1. Cultural Grants: support the Agreement Core Focus Area of Cultural Integrity, where a society that supports the aspirations of all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and contributes to the building of respectful, fair and sustainable communities. Individuals can apply for up to $5,000 (GST exclusive) and organisations can apply for up to $10,000 (GST exclusive). 2. Leadership Grants: support the Agreement Core Focus Area of Community Leadership, where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have a strong voice, are decision makers on issues that impact them and lead in the achievement of positive life outcomes. Individuals can apply for up to $5,000 (GST exclusive) and organisations can apply for up to $10,000 (GST exclusive). 3. Scholarship Grants: support the Agreement Significant Focus Area of Life Long Learning, where respect is given to preserving the world’s oldest living cultures which enhances social inclusion and empowers Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to fully engage in lifelong learning and positive generational experiences. Individuals can apply for up to $5,000 (GST exclusive). Please refer to the information section of the Guidelines for information about the Grant components (Cultural, Leadership, Scholarship). There is funding of $220,000 available through this grant round. The grants program is available to individuals and organisations across the ACT and Canberra Region. The grant program opened on 27 September 2019 and will close on 31 March 2020, or when total funds are expended. Applications may be submitted anytime during this period. For more information or to apply please visit https://www.communityservices.act.gov.au/home/grants or call (02) 6207 9784. Page 5 of 21 Seniors Expo 2020 The 2020 ACT Seniors Week Expo will be held on Thursday 26 March Held from 10am to 3pm at Exhibition Park in Canberra, the Expo brings together more than 120 exhibitors to inspire, inform and connect older Canberrans to the groups, activities and organisations available to them. The Expo is designed to showcase businesses and organisations, giving Canberra seniors information on: • lifestyle options • retirement and aged care advice and options • travel opportunities • investment ideas • government services • community links • social and leisure activities • health and fitness • and more! Chief Minster’s Concert Join in the fun on Tuesday 24 March 2020. The Band of the Royal Military College will be putting on an unforgettable show. Numbers are limited. Reservations can be made by contacting COTA ACT on 6282 3777 or online www.concert2020.eventbrite.com.au Please note, no catering (including tea/coffee) is available at the venue. Getting there The Albert Hall