Biography
Christine has over 30 years experience working in the community development field in local government and community organisations. She is the Director Community Development at the City of Melville in Western Australia. Melville is recognised as a leader with age friendly communities and has had involvement since 2007.
Under Christine’s leadership, Melville has been recognised for their innovative practices that include membership to the World Health Organisation Global Network of Age-Friendly Communities; leading community and neighbourhood planning practice; innovative responses to community health issues, community safety and community engagement including participatory budgeting projects.
She is Chair of the Western Australian Local Government Professionals Network for Age Friendly Communities, and also represents local government on the Age Friendly Interagency Group convened by the Western Australian Department for Communities.
The Age Friendly Communities model in Western Australia has been undertaken for the last 10 years and the State is a recognised world leader in this field. The model is one of partnership and collaboration between two tiers of government – state and local governments.
Young, C.
Paper
Age Friendly Communities in Western Australia – A collaboration between State and Local Government
Age Friendly Communities in Western Australia has been undertaken for the last 10 years. The model in Western Australia is one of partnership and collaboration between two tiers of government – State and Local Government. The current population for Western Australia of those people over 60 years of age is 19.3%.
This presentation outlines the work of both the State Government and Local Government in Western Australia. It outlines the actions of the State Government over the last 10 years, and its commitment to Age Friendly Communities. The State Government was awarded Affiliate Membership to the World Health Organisation’s Global Network of Age Friendly Communities in June 2017 – a first for Australia for a State to receive this affiliation.
The presentation will outline some of the ways in which the progress of age friendly communities has been sustained and strengthened with a focus on collaboration and the outcomes this can deliver.
This includes information regarding an interagency cross government approach bringing together over 14 different areas of government within the age friendly context; a Network of Age Friendly Communities supported by the local government sector; the integration of dementia principles within the age friendly context; and partnerships with the academic sector.
Examples will be provided from the Western Australian local government context of the work and projects undertaken regarding the Age Friendly Communities approach, and how these are underpinned by State Government Policy and support.