Various Filipino Senior Citizens Associations got a chance to socialise and discuss shared issues with the Federal Minister for Ageing Justine Eliott during the community forum on December 4 at the Penrith City Library Theatrette.
Among those who attended the event are the officers and members of the the Philippine Australian Society for Senior Citizens, Inc. (PASSCI), the Sydney Australian Filipino Seniors Inc. (SAFSI), the Association of Golden Age Pilipino Inc. (AGAPI), the Philippine Community Council of New South Wales (PCC-NSW), the Kapitbahayanan Cooperative Inc, and the Philippine Australian Community Services Inc.
The Federal Member for Lindsay David Bradbury and Vice Consul Anthony Reyes were also among the guests.
The meeting between the senior citizens and Eliott became an occasion to discuss facts and opinions regarding major issues like the Philippine Australian Reciprocal Agreement on Security Benefits, the feasibility of a retirement village and a carer visa.
The Federal Minister for Ageing was open to the various suggestion from the senior citizens and welcomed proposals from the Filipino seniors groups regarding matters that affect them in the community.
A working committee on senior citizens has already been set-up, composed of various senior citizens groups that include PCC-NSW, Kapitbahayanan Cooperative and the Philippine Australian Community Services Inc.
This committee is tasked to consider various proposals from the senior groups and consolidate them into a position paper that will be submitted to the Federal Government through the Federal Minister for Ageing.
The first meeting to discuss the proposals is scheduled for January 2010.
PASSCI serves as the secretariat for the working committee. It can be reached on 02-9726-7333. You may also contact Jun Relunia on 0419-233-643.
