Welcome to the first issue of GRAI matters for 2011. This newsletter keeps you in touch with the activities of your GRAI Board, who work hard to ensure that the Association is well run and continuing our advocacy on LGBTI elders’ issues. We also aim to bring you the latest information about ‘gay ageing’ issues and events and hope that some of our members will get involved in some of these.
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
- Productivity Commission Inquiry
- GALFA’s first grant
- Just who I am
- Forum on End of Life Planning
- ACAR includes gay packages
GRAI MATTERS March 2011
Welcome to the September issue of the GRAI Newsletter. It brings updates on GRAI business plus some national and international news and Pride events that may be of interest.
The August GRAI AGM saw the farewell to three long-standing Board members—Steve Singer, who has been the secretary for quite a few years; Damian Douglas-Meyer, who has particularly been involved with maintaining the website; and Virginia Hailes, one of our community representatives representing Alzheimer’s WA, all finished their time on the Board. I thank them for all their hard work. Joining the Board is Deb Sinclair-Lane who works in aged care. At the Board’s first meeting following the AGM the following positions were confirmed: Chair – Jude Comfort, Treasurer/Membership Officer – Stuart Pekin, Secretary – Malcolm Fialho and Brett Tizard.
Recently the Pride WA Glammy Awards were held. These recognise contributions to Perth’s GLBTQI community and were presented at the Pride WA “MASKerade” Ball held at Novotel Langley Hotel on Saturday 28th August 2010. I was recognised by being awarded the Outstanding Contribution by an Individual or Couple award. I thank all those who supported my nomination.
We have also been busy with more requests to discuss the research project “We don’t have of those people here”. Recent presentations include to the Alzheimer’s Association conference “Many Voices”, and the 2010 Rural GBLT Health & Wellbeing Forum in Victoria.
Jude Comfort, Chair
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
- GRAI Pride event
- More PRIDE offerings
- Empowering older Australian women
- Noelene Brown guest speaker
- Global GLBTI survey
GRAI MATTERS September 2010
GRAI will be offering a unique Pride event this year so keep Saturday afternoon 16 October free when you will have the opportunity to visit a gay friendly aged care facility that offers all levels of care. Join us for a walk through followed by afternoon tea and a presentation by the Chair of GRAI on the highlights from the recent research report. St Michael’s Residential Care in North Perth is one of Perth’s premier aged care facilities and they have opened their doors to the LGBT community.
“We hope that by opening the doors to an aged care facility that community members have an opportunity to start the conversation around aged care accommodation,” said GRAI Chair Jude Comfort. “In general the LGBT community is pretty youth focused. GRAI wants to challenge and educate our community on aged care issues with this unique Pride offering” she said.
So come and see inside such a facility and have some questions answered. This is not just for the senior members of our community but anyone. It could appeal to those who may be facing decisions about care for relatives etc. So join GRAI to visit. Look, question, challenge your stereotypes. Join us for delicious afternoon team and discussion of the recent GRAI research report “We don’t have any of those people here”. All ages, all welcome and it is free!!
Details
St Michael’s Residential Care
93 Wasley Street North Perth, 6006
Saturday 16 October 2010
2pm to 4pm
