Response to magazine for seniors welcomed

3/9/95

The Minister for Seniors, Roger Nicholls, today welcomed the Western Australian public's response to the State Government's recently-launched magazine for seniors, Great Life.

Mr Nicholls said initial feedback on the publication was very positive.

The magazine was produced by the Office of Seniors' Interests and launched in July.  It is a free, colour publication targeted at seniors and pre-retirees.

It aims to challenge community perceptions of seniors and encourage the over-60s to become more active and independent.

Mr Nicholls said initial feedback on the magazine had come from reader survey forms, more than 200 of which had been returned to the Office of Seniors' Interests.

Mr Nicholls said he was pleased to learn that 94 per cent of survey respondents had read all or most of the magazine and that 89 per cent had found its material useful.

He was also encouraged by the finding that 61 per cent had used, or were planning to use, information contained in the magazine.

Mr Nicholls said 30 per cent of respondents indicated they had used, or were planning to use, information on the University of the Third Age, while a quarter of respondents had used, or were planning to use, information on the degenerative bone disorder osteoporosis.

The respondents, 68 per cent of whom were 60 years of age or over, also revealed they would like to see the magazine produced on a regular basis.  More than half (58 per cent) thought it should be published quarterly and 21 per cent thought it should come out biannually.

The first issue of Great Life looks at the special relationship five talented Western Australians share with their grandparents, new WA research into the degenerative bone disorder osteoporosis, seniors who have stayed on in the workforce, model seniors and the seniors who help out at WA's two Australian Football League clubs.

Mr Nicholls said the magazine was available from libraries, Greater Union cinemas and branches of BankWest.

Media contact: Hugh Ryan 221 5468