24/10/04
Western Australian seniors are contributing significant amounts of unpaid service to the community through voluntary work and childminding, according to new figures.
Speaking at the start of BankWest Seniors Week, Seniors' Minister Sheila McHale said results of a recent survey of 800 WA seniors showed that almost half had worked voluntarily in the past year.
"The survey of seniors aged 60 and over showed that 43 per cent had volunteered in the past year, with 34 per cent doing more than 20 hours of unpaid voluntary work each month," Ms McHale said.
"It is testament to our seniors' prevailing community spirit that 63 per cent of those volunteers said they do it to help and give something back to the community."
The Office for Seniors' Interests and Volunteering commissioned the survey to gain an up-to-date snapshot of today's seniors and their rates of community participation.
The 800 were interviewed on a range of subjects including finances, education, the labour force and health.
The Minister said results showed that 40 per cent of seniors regularly provided childminding for related or unrelated children - the majority unpaid with most - 93 per cent - looking after grandchildren.
"The results confirm that WA seniors continue to provide invaluable support not just to their own families, but ultimately to the whole community," she said.
"If our seniors suddenly stopped carrying out their informal and formal voluntary duties, the impact on the community would be huge and this is just one of the important reasons for acknowledging seniors' contributions.
"BankWest Seniors Week is our opportunity as a community to thank seniors for all they do for us and it is also a great time for seniors to get involved in many fun events and activities celebrating life."
There are 180 official and community events planned around the State for the BankWest Seniors Week which runs until next Sunday, October 31.
Transperth will once again offer free travel for seniors on public transport in the metropolitan area and selected country regions this week. The offer is open to people aged 60 or over who present their Senior's Card, aged pension card or other identification and proof of age.
For more information about BankWest Seniors Week call 9328 9155 or 1800 671 233 (for country callers) or see http://www.osi.wa.gov.au
Sponsors of BankWest Seniors Week 2004 are BankWest, Australian Pensioners Insurance Agency, The Western Australian Senior, Hollywood Private Hospital, Woolworths Supermarkets, Channel Nine Perth, The Sunday Times, Radio 6PR, WIN Television and Council on the Ageing (WA).
Minister's office: 9213 6900
