By JOHN VAN KLAVEREN
OUR baby boomers are no longer babies nor boomers, but they still have some fight left in them.
As research, surveys and reports into the marginalisation of older Aussies follow hard on each other’s heels, one local group is doing something about it.
The Barwon branch of the Association of Independent Retirees is on the hunt for members to swell its ranks and let the politicians and policy-makers know they have a voice.
It’s the baby boomers, born between 1946 and 1964, who are either on the brink of retirement or are well into it.
But group member Ted Reilly says many boomers are far from ready to retire, or unprepared for 20 or 30 years of financially self-supported living.
“We need to have a conversation about the issues facing retirees,” Ted declared.
“Whether its health, social inclusion, finance, dealing with government organisations, retirees need support and a way to exchange information.”
Ted said the group aimed to advance and protect the interests of people who are fully or partly self-funded in retirement.
“Not only do we represent this rapidly growing section of the population to all levels of Government, we seek to inform members about retirement issues including finance, health, housing, income and lifestyle choices,” he said.
“We are building an advocacy group in Barwon to ensure submissions go to the local candidates in federal and state elections.
“If the political candidates are more aware of retirees as a group, they may be more sensitive to their issues.”
Ted pointed out that ageing was a major issue in Australia, with the impact rebounding on newer generations.
“How much lost knowledge is there in our older population? The community is missing out on it.
“We have a large number of retirees in Geelong and they are very active. There are actually lots of things to do in Geelong for older people,” Ted said.
“We are a fairly disparate group with teachers, nurses, public servants, small business owners and farmers all in a range of financial situations.”
Ted said the group had already achieved some success, advocating for the reduction in energy charges of 17.5 per cent and gaining reduced stamp duty for downsizers.
The Barwon branch holds regular meetings with a guest speaker followed by a social get-together over lunch.
“The social part is as important as the business part of the meeting, it’s where you get that informal exchange of information,” Ted explained.
“We have speakers from Centrelink about how the concession card process, or applying for the pension, speakers on hearing loss and its link to dementia, or the transition to retirement or supported accommodation.
“We strongly advocate continuing education for older people because it’s a great way to maintain engagement with society.”
The monthly meetings are held from 10am to 12 noon on the third Friday of each month except December and January at The Ponds Hotel, Waurn Ponds.
The Geelong branch meets at the Belmont Library at 1.15pm on the fourth Tuesday of the month.
