LGAQ CEO Alison Smith with U3A President Gail Bonser
The Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) has thrown its full support behind two key groups advocating on behalf of senior Queenslanders.
Representatives of the University of the Third Age (U3A) and Council on the Ageing (COTA) Queensland met with the LGAQ to discuss and agree on a joint action plan.
The discussions—between LGAQ CEO Alison Smith, U3A President Gail Bonser and COTA Queensland Chief Executive Mark Tucker-Evans—resulted in a renewed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between U3A Network and the LGAQ.
U3A is a worldwide self-help organisation promoting learning for personal enjoyment and wellbeing and provides tailored educational and leisure courses for seniors in the community.
COTA Queensland is a for-purpose registered charity committed to advancing the rights, needs and interests of people as they age.
COTA’s vision is that ageing in Queensland is a time of possibility, opportunity, and influence.
Ms Smith said the LGAQ was delighted to continue its support for older Queenslanders through two groups with commendable aims and vision.
“We will continue to work with U3A and COTA Queensland to identify opportunities to advance the cause of our senior citizens,” she said.
“Both organisations make a substantial contribution to the community by helping their members to lead healthy and active lives.
“With councils being the closest level of government to the community, we will support their members to remain engaged and active within their local communities.”
Ms Bonser said there were now 250 U3A organisations in Australia, boasting 97,000-plus members nationwide, with 35 associations and 23,000 members in Queensland.
“We are a totally volunteer organisation andgreatly appreciate the LGAQ’s ongoing support,” she said.
Mr Tucker-Evans said COTA Queensland was looking forward to working with the LGAQ as it pursued issues of major concern to older people.
“COTA is committed to speaking out about the inequalities, disadvantage and discrimination experienced by some Queenslanders as we age,” he said.