Positive Ageing Ambassador Program Jan Healey

Council recruited 12 ambassadors from small towns and communities throughout the Colac Otway Shire to talk with their friends and community members on how best to develop projects to benefit older people.

Getting to know you - weekend at Cape Otway At the start – advertising, word of mouth – collected a group of seniors and Council staff for a getting to know you weekend at Cape Otway in July 2012. Getting to know you - weekend at Cape Otway

The Ambassadors are as diverse as the communities and landscapes of the Colac Otway Shire. A key learning when working with such a diverse group is that any workshops or learning process must allow for flexibility and a huge range of skills and experiences at the table. Allowing a flexible process removes barriers to participation and ensures an accessible process.

Be active

Be involved – broad range of interests

Participate - the Kana Festival

Ambassador Projects Multi Use Recreation Facility at Wye River Access, Mobility and Infrastructure Supporting local historical events Intergenerational schools program Seating in Colac and Apollo Bay First Aid Training Transport Working Group Photo competition and exhibition Radio program (planning stage) Story telling

Betty’s seat – concrete outcome

Benefits to council Group of older people who are in touch with their community and will gather and pass on opinions up to Council and back to the community Provide honest and constructive feedback Organise activities for Seniors Week

Benefits to ourselves Making a positive contribution Feeling valued Opinions are respected Meeting new people Influencing council Learning to advocate Learning new skills

What Next? More of the same plus .....