Tribute to seniors attending birthday party for those aged 90 or over

14/4/99
Seniors' Minister Rhonda Parker has paid tribute to the seniors attending a birthday party for those aged 90 or over at the Royal Australian Air Force Memorial Estate at Bull Creek today.
"These seniors have lived through a great deal of history and this International Year of Older Persons activity provides an opportunity to acknowledge their contribution over that time," Mrs Parker said.
"They were born soon after Federation and have probably faced more challenges than any other generation.
"They have lived through the lows of a worldwide depression, two world wars, the Korean and Vietnam Wars and the highs of the postwar boom, with its high rate of employment and home ownership.
"They have witnessed men on the moon and families travelling in jumbo jets as readily as they used to make trips in the family's horse-drawn cart.
"They have seen it all from the Coolgardie Safe to the deep freeze, from pounds and pence to dollars and cents, from the wireless to the worldwide web."
Mrs Parker said she was particularly pleased that members of the Melville Youth Choir entertained the 49 guests of honour with old-time songs at the party.
"It's what the International Year and its State theme, 'A Western Australia for all ages' is all about," she said.
"One of the main aims of the international year is to encourage respect, care and understanding between the generations."
The party was organised by an International Year of Older Persons Ambassador,
Mrs Ethel Hodgson, who was also last year's Senior of the Year.
The Minister presented OBM (Over Bloomin 90) certificates to the guests of honour at the party.
Media contact: Owen Cole 9481 7810