Published on Thursday, 9 November 2023 at 11:37:10 AM
The City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder was awarded the Connecting Communities Award at last night’s Local Government Professionals WA Awards night, acknowledging the City’s hard work in improving its services to the senior community.
The prestigious award recognises local governments that are taking proactive approaches to developing vibrant connected communities, focusing on initiatives that help create a Sense of Place.
Since 2022, the City has worked tirelessly to improve the relationship with its senior residents following community feedback that pointed to a need for additional support and tailored services.
The feedback served as a catalyst for action to develop community initiatives that would enrich the lives of senior residents and foster community vibrancy and connectedness. Through significant consultation with seniors and senior service providers, the City’s Age Friendly Strategy was developed and launched last year.
This comprehensive roadmap revitalised the Eastern Goldfields Community Centre as a local senior's hub with weekly events and programs including boot scooting and exercise classes, indoor carpet bowling, and craft sessions. The City also has developed a program of excursions for seniors to experience activities outside of the Centre including travel to neighbouring Shires and opportunities for them to meet other seniors in the region.
The City also reintroduced its In-Centre Meals Program, a bi-weekly lunch service for seniors over the age of 65 years that provides nutritious fresh meals, facilitates social interactions, and combats issues of isolation.
The City’s commitment to the welfare of its senior residents has also seen its active and ongoing contribution to the C.Y O’Connor Men’s Shed which, this year has focused on reestablishing more activities for seniors.
City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder Mayor Glenn Wilson said the award was confirmation of the City’s promise to listen to its senior community.
“It’s an honour to receive the Connecting Communities Award and be recognised as a local government leader in delivering exceptional community services to our seniors."
“This recognises a sincere, productive and rewarding journey,” he said, “Our senior residents have felt let down and unsupported by the City in the past, and we realised we needed to rebuild a positive relationship with our senior community. This has taken time and effort from Council and City Officers, and we thank our senior community for their support.”
“The feedback we received from the community was invaluable and has been instrumental in the way we have approached our Age-Friendly Strategy and navigated this new outcome. The willingness of our senior community to work with the City has been a driving force to the success of our strategy, and this award.”
“Our senior community, led by the Seniors Focus Group, are engaged, vibrant, and now supported within our community. We look forward to continuing a positive relationship and further enriching the lives of our valued senior community.”
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