COTA (Council On The Ageing) Tasmania

19/06/2026

Last week, we were pleased to welcome so many people to our Hobart World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) Walk. Thank you to everyone who joined us to raise awareness of elder abuse and show support for older Tasmanians. Every conversation, every step and every voice helps build a community where older people are respected, valued and safe. 💜

We would also like to extend a special thank you to The Honourable Barbara Baker AC, Former Governor of Tasmania, and Emeritus Professor Don Chalmers for joining us. We were honoured to have them with us for this important occasion, which marked their final community event following the conclusion of Her Excellency's term as Governor of Tasmania.

Thank you to everyone who walked alongside us and helped make this year's WEAAD events such a strong show of community support.

19/06/2026

Time is running out to be part of Seniors Month 2026! Event registrations close on 1 July, and we are encouraging community groups, organisations, councils, businesses, clubs, and individuals to get involved by hosting an event.

Seniors Month is a wonderful opportunity to bring people together, celebrate the contributions of older Tasmanians, and create opportunities for connection across generations.

Whether it's a morning tea, workshop, community gathering, activity, or special event, every event helps make Seniors Month a statewide celebration of ageing well.

Register your event before 1 July and help us create another vibrant and engaging Seniors Month for older Tasmanians across the state.

Find out more and register today via the link:
https://cotatas.org.au/events-and-activities/seniors-month

18/06/2026

Recently, we had the pleasure of spending time with members of the West Tamar Council Positive Ageing Committee as part of our Beyond Age Tasmania program.

Together, we explored how ageism affects our communities, the connection between ageism and elder abuse, and the important role we all play in challenging stereotypes about ageing.

Participants also took part in a professional portrait photography session, pairing their new portraits with photographs of their younger selves and sharing a few reflections from their own lives.

A big thank you to West Tamar Council for their warm welcome and for bringing together such an engaged and thoughtful group of participants.

We would also like to acknowledge COTA Victoria & Seniors Rights Victoria for developing the original Beyond Age program and generously sharing their knowledge and resources to help bring the initiative to Tasmania.

We look forward to sharing these stories and portraits as they become part of the Beyond Age exhibition. Because age is a number, not a use-by date. 💜

17/06/2026

Please complete COTA Australia - for older Australians survey to share your experiences on this really important issue ⬇️

The Australian Government is proposing changes to the Private Health Insurance rebate that will affect older Australians.

We invite you to complete our short survey, which takes 5 to 10 minutes.

Take the survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/RSRLM32
COTA Australia will use your feedback to inform our advocacy on this issue.

Let us know your views and how this change will impact you.
Survey closes Friday 19 June at 5.00pm.

16/06/2026

A big thank you to everyone who joined us for the Devonport World Elder Abuse Awareness Day Walk. It was wonderful to see our community come together to raise awareness of elder abuse and stand alongside older Tasmanians in support of safety, dignity and respect.

Thank you to Devonport City Council for their support of this important event and for helping bring our community together for the conversation. 💜

Every step taken helps build greater awareness and encourages all of us to play a role in preventing elder abuse.

Together, we can create communities where older people are safe, respected and valued.

16/06/2026

A young person sits beside an older Tasmanian, helping them send a photo, make a video call, or navigate a new device. What begins as a simple conversation often grows into something much more.

Over the past year, Generations Connect: Tech Together has brought hundreds of young people and older Tasmanians together to learn from one another, share stories, build confidence, and form genuine friendships.

That is why we are so proud that the program has been named a finalist in the 2026 TASICT Social Innovation Technology Awards.

This recognition belongs to every young digital mentor, older participant, teacher, aged care team member, school and partner organisation who has been part of the journey. Together, you have shown the power of connection across generations and the difference it can make in our communities.

We look forward to celebrating with fellow finalists later this month! We are so grateful to TasICT Awards for the opportunity.

15/06/2026

A big thank you to everyone who joined us for the Launceston World Elder Abuse Awareness Day Walk. It was wonderful to see our community come together to raise awareness of elder abuse and show support for older Tasmanians. Every conversation, every step, and every person who participated helped reinforce the importance of creating communities where older people are safe, respected, and valued. 💜

We would also like to thank City of Launceston for supporting this important event, and Minister for Ageing Bridget Archer MP for joining us on the walk and standing alongside older Tasmanians in calling for greater awareness of elder abuse.

Together, we can continue building communities where older people are heard, respected, and free from abuse.

15/06/2026

Thank you to The Mercury Newspaper for publishing an opinion piece by our CEO, Brigid Wilkinson, on World Elder Abuse Awareness Day.

The article opens with a powerful question: Imagine growing older and losing your safety in the place you should feel safest.

Elder abuse is more than an individual issue. It is a community issue that affects the safety, dignity and wellbeing of older people. Preventing elder abuse requires all of us to challenge ageism, recognise the warning signs, and help create communities where older people are respected, valued, and heard. 💜

Because elder abuse is everybody's business, and prevention starts with all of us.

Read the full article on our website:
https://cotatas.org.au/elder-abuse-prevention/weaad/world-elder-abuse-awareness-day-15-june

14/06/2026

Today is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. We would like to thank everyone who joined us for our WEAAD Walks across Tasmania. The incredible turnout at each event demonstrates just how important it is to have conversations about elder abuse and continue raising awareness in our communities. 💜

This year, we launched a community commitment to support the prevention of elder abuse and promote the rights, dignity and safety of older people.

If you or your organisation would like to stand with us, we invite you to sign the commitment today. Together, we can help create a future where older people are safe, respected and valued.

Sign the commitment now: https://cotatas.org.au/events-and-activities/world-elder-abuse-awareness-day

14/06/2026

Yes 👏 👏 👏