Caddie - the "send a private message" is under the Private Messages heading, above the forum comments, with three lines which say "You have no new messages", "View your messages" and "Send a private message", the last two are links. What would you suggest as a heading to get the attention of people so that we can gauge the interest in actually doing something, rather than just talking about it or even worse, being negative. When people say there is no point in doing anything because no-one will listen, I think that is just an excuse for doing nothing.

westozzy - re the list of people presenting to the review, COTA Victoria is one of them, and although as individuals they are not experiencing the hardship that a lot of seniors are facing, they are aware of it and the organisation is there solely as an advocate for seniors. I know from first hand experience in the A.C.T. that they have achieved a great deal in improving the lot of seniors. They are about to release a survey in the A.C.T. which will determine exactly how people are coping. The survey is aimed at all seniors, including self-funded, part pensioners and full pensioners. The survey will be put onto their website for downloading, as well as being distributed to senior groups throughout the A.C.T. I believe that this survey will give a true and honest view of just how seniors are coping. It is also hoped to have the results publicised in the media as well as being a document that will show the plight of seniors. Hence, I believe that there is a least one group presenting to the review who are well aware of what is going on.

Well I accept you point and Im glad COTA is doing something but state based groups are fine and their surveys are no doubt state based also. I think we are concerned about seniors on a national level and if People like myself seem nieve about whats going on its because informatiom hasnt filtered through nationally. Im sure there are many websites dealing with senior issues but I must confess I dont know them all and there are many seniors who dont have a computer and the word website means nothing at all to them. They are completey oblivious to whats going on and rely on brochures and senior magazines delivered by post. Most of them have a cover with smiley faced seniors happy about their superanuation and lifestye then inside propaganda from Jenny Macklin telling us nothing. However I take your point and if you have access to COTA then use it. Im a sceptic when it comes to reviews and panels of picked people to represent me, I like to have access to them. Proffessors of this and that are more inclined to put forward a view of how we should be living and not the reality of how we actually are. But like I said if youre happy with what you know then thats fine.

Im a sceptic when it comes to reviews and panels of picked people to represent me, I like to have access to them. Proffessors of this and that are more inclined to put forward a view of how we should be living and not the reality of how we actually are



I agree Westozzy. I wonder if they are a group of people who are appointed simply to make them feel good, and I wonder just what the union representative is going to do? Go on strike if things dont improve?

BFrank Im glad you mentioned the union person that remains a mystery too in my mind, I was nt game to mention it in case there was something I had missed somewhere. However I still dont like the composition, mainly I suppose of my ignorance, Id have found it more acceptable if Id seen groups like The Salvation Army or Vincent De Paul in there somewhere, Im sure they have a few stories to tell about the situation. Oh well we will see. someone is looking for a name to list for suggestions etc, how about this for starters "No Faith In Government" they are my feelings, I dont trust them one bit whoever is in power.

Hi Caddie - I would like to thank you for your support with the petition and emailing our politicians. However you were the only one who put their hand up and offered support. It would appear that the majority of the people who are complaining about the government are not prepared to join together to present a united front, so I have decided that I don't want to be involved with such negativity. My attitude is that if you're unhappy about something, make the effort to fix it, and if that means putting yourself out, then you do it.

To the person who stated that the COTA A.C.T. initiative of a seniors lifestyle survey would only be relevant to the A.C.T, I can say that the hardships suffered by some seniors in Canberra are the same as anywhere else in Australia., i.e finances, health, housing, diet and lifestyle options. This comment was another example of the negativity that some people seem to wallow in - a lot of hot air with no suggestions on how to make things better. We need to do things for ourselves and support each other if we want to make things better and hope that the Government will come to the party and assist us.

One last request, please email your local politicians about your concerns, they are the first in line to be affected by your vote, and then email the relevant ministers, both government and opposition. Good Luck, because luck is what you need if you're not going to actually do anything but complain to each other.

Everyone has to do what they feel they can and want I suppose. I did not see any petition.

Phyl.

Id have found it more acceptable if Id seen groups like The Salvation Army or Vincent De Paul in there



Now that would have flirting with reality Wesozzy and would only make the government look woefully inept.

The review committee is meeting at the Perth Novatel langley on 20th August at 9am

You have to ring 1800663011 to register.

I have registered and am working on a submission.

Will be an early morning start for me.

Good onya Caddie, good luck with your submission. I wont be here on the 20th but my submission and sugestions will go in to them. I have my ideas and solutions to problems that only the government can fix for us and that will be the basis of my submission. Im sure this panel has heard of more complaints than we have but its how to fix them is a different matter. Il be out of OZ for a while but will still be working for us. I hope they accept your registration and you get to join in even if only to let us know the content of the meeting and who gets to say what. Good luck again.