Western Australia (WA) has had a commitment to Age-friendly Communities (AFC) since 2007 when the State Government partnered with Local Government to be part of the World Health Organisations pilot AFC project. The initial collaboration has continued, strengthened and demonstrated its sustainability with the State Government now an Affiliate Member of the WHO Global Network of AFC, and several communities Global Members of the WHO Network of AFC. Many other municipalities utilise the age-friendly communities’ approach with their work in communities.

 

WA is the largest State in Australia with the geographical challenge of connecting and servicing remote indigenous communities, regional and rural communities, and diverse metropolitan communities.

 

This presentation will provide practical examples of how being an age-friendly community can be achieved by identifying and building upon current community strengths and assets without large amounts of funding. Examples will be highlighted that demonstrate partnerships and collaboration which are critical to making this work well. It will highlight ways that older people can be engaged with this work, and how what matters most to them in communities can be strengthened.

 

The presentation will show ways that municipalities and communities can be connected with this work, and how they can support, encourage, and inspire one another at a State and local level.

Christine has worked in senior community development roles across not-for-profit and local government organisations in Western Australia for more than 40 years.

 

An Australian leader in Age-friendly Cities and Communities, Christine has been committed to Age-friendly Communities since 2007 working to build age-friendly environments that enable older people to flourish. She is a current Director of the International Federation on Ageing.

 

Levering off her significant knowledge and experience in the field, she is the current Chairperson of the Local Government Professionals Network Western Australia Age Friendly Communities. This active Network inspires, connects, and supports age friendly communities in Western Australia and works in partnership with the Western Australian Government.

 

Her recent work includes the coordination of the Western Australia Government’s Age-friendly Communities Connectivity Grants Program, focusing on the distribution of age-friendly funding to rural, remote, and metropolitan communities.