SENIORS’ Week in Moree has been a hive of activity, with a feature being a huge luncheon on Wednesday at Moree Services Club, where Rob Bartel was named Senior Citizen of the Year.
More than 200 people attended, including Jade Hodge and Sally Burey from the Seniors’ Rights Service, an advocacy group established 30 years ago to help seniors across New South Wales.
Ms Hodge said the Sydney-based service has advocates in the New England region, based at Armidale.
“We go as far as Tenterfield and out to Moree, and we’ll be back next week for a visit to Whiddon,” Ms Hodge said.
“Our job is to provide information and advocacy for seniors across New South Wales.
“We talk about aged-care rights and that people receiving aged-care are protected by those rights. If needed, we can advocate for people.
“We listen, we provide information, and we can speak on their behalf if that’s what they want us to do,” she said.
Seniors’ Rights Service also offers advice on all legal matters.
The service provides free and confidential advice, information, referrals and other assistance to older people in New South Wales dealing with legal issues.
“We’re an accredited legal service as well and everything is free and confidential,” Ms Hodge said.
Seniors’ Rights Service provide targeted, rights-based information to a diverse range of older people regardless of cultural background or sexual orientation. Aged-care advocates, solicitors and education staff travel across New South Wales to support the aged-care sector and the wider community.
“There are two advocates in the New England, and I’ll be coming back to Moree next week to visit Whiddon,” Ms Hodge said.
“As well as that, I’m in the area every couple of months so if needed, I can come at any time.
“We ask anyone receiving aged-care services with queries about their entitlements, to please reach out,” she said.
Seniors can call 02 92813600 for free and confidential over-the-phone advice.
Seniors’ Week in Moree continues tonight with a few ends of social bowls at Moree Services Club.
On Friday, bingo and lunch will be served at Moree Care from 10am.
On Saturday, a barbecue lunch will be held at Rob and Lorraine Bartel’s home on Gwyderfield Road.
“We’ll have entertainment from the Moree Ukelele Band and Moree Lions Club will look after the barbecue. We’ve got about 80 people booked in,” Mrs Bartel said.
She said Seniors’ Week in Moree would not be possible without generous donations from Pius X, Moree Community Library, Moree and District Services Club, Moree Services Bowling Club, Moree Care, Moree Lions Club, Moree Plains Shire Council, Regional Australia Bank and Moree Ukulele Group.
“All these people donate premises, their time and money to ensure the seniors can enjoy a great week with their friends,” Mrs Bartel said.
Moree Seniors’ Week Events
Thursday, March 13: Social Bowls at Moree and District Services Club from 6pm.
Friday, March 14: Lunch and Bingo at Moree Care.
Saturday, March 15: Lunch and entertainment by Moree Ukulele Band at 363 Gwydirfield Road, with barbecue lunch provided by Moree Lions Club.
