International Day of Older Persons 2018 celebrated with event in Port Macquarie

The occasion was marked in Port Macquarie on October 2 as the official day on October 1 was a public holiday.

Healthy Walking Group members worked with artist Lucy Pascale to create a sand art design at Shelly Beach to begin the celebrations.

Celebrations then centred on activities outside the CWA Tea Rooms.

Residents from Regis Port Macquarie and Garden Village Port Macquarie created doily art containing messages about the importance of respect for seniors.

The art will be featured in murals.

Mid North Coast Community Legal Centre solicitor Melanie Kallmier had conversations with people about legal issues with a focus on seniors and older persons, while staff members from NSW Trustee and Guardian were also on hand to answer questions.

Seniors Rights Service education officer/advocate and Hastings Elder Abuse Prevention Network coordinator Jill McDonnell said the Port Macquarie event organisers wanted to recognise older people and respect for older people.

“We wanted to celebrate older people in the Hastings area,” she said.

“They bring their life experiences, they bring their skills and they have got a lot to contribute because they are bringing wisdom.”

The International Day of Older Persons 2018 theme is Celebrating Older Human Rights Champions which recognises older people around the world who dedicate their lives to championing human rights.

Older human rights champions today were born around the time of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948. 

The 2018 theme’s aims include promoting the rights enshrined in the Declaration and what it means in the daily lives of older persons; raising the visibility of older people as participating members of society committed to improving the enjoyment of human rights in many areas of life and not just those that affect them immediately; and engaging broad audiences across the world.

The theme also aims to reflect on progress and challenges in ensuring full and equal enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms by older persons.

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