Big thank you to the Older Women’s Network Queensland Inc. and Event Organiser Niura Martinez Casas for the invitation to attend Monday’s event ‘Women Connecting Women in Our Communities’. It was a wonderful day with a fantastic discussion panel, gentle exercise, Tai Chi, belly dancing, arts and crafts, raffles and more. There was a true sense of social connectedness, sharing of knowledge and insights, fun and laughter.
Stall holders interacted with diverse women across topics such as library services, health promotion, aged care and disability advocacy, social supports, lifelong learning, and staying connected through interests and activities.
Ipswich Mayor, Mayor Teresa Harding – Ipswich City Council, addressed the audience, and celebrated that Ipswich City Council appointed its first female Chief Executive Officer (CEO) in the Council’s history, and this makes Ipswich City Council one of only six in Queensland to have a female Mayor and a female CEO. COTA Queensland had the pleasure of catching up with Program Coordinators, Kerri Ann Lynch and Anne Bertram, and President, Irene Strong of Ipswich 60 and Better Program who will be celebrating their 30th year in December! Programs like 60 and Better and the Older Women’s Network provide an invaluable source of information, connection and community.
COTA Queensland also connected with other organisations to learn more about who the services and supports available in the Ipswich region, and to listen to older women about positives and challenges of living in their community. Some of the topics included housing, available and responsive aged care suppports, where to find information regarding concessions and subsidies, navigating driving cessation, availability of day time activities, navigating going out at night, availability of public transport, making life transitions and downsizing, role of volunteering, and financial security following life changes.
Above all, the joy of social connectedness and being part of community were celebrated at the OWN event.
#Ipswich60andBetterProgram #OlderWomensNetwork #IpsiwchCityCouncil #COTAQueensland #COTAQld #Womenconnectingwomen
