LETTER FROM THE CHAIR
Dear Members, Community and Allies, Welcome to April!
It was wonderful to be invited to the Hollywood Tuesday Morning Show on the 29th of March to speak about GRAI and our hopes for our LGBTI Village Hub. For those of you who are free on a Tuesday morning, the Hollywood Morning Show (and spaces go quickly during these COVID times, with only a 132 seat capacity) is part of the City of Perth’s Senior’s activities. It was a lovely morning, and to be surrounded by music before the event was warming.
When explaining the needs of our community, it is interesting to pause to think about the complexities of making a safe space and how integral human relationships are to this. With so much of the last 60 years of activism focused on legislative changes, I wonder if there is space for our own human connections? It was encouraging to hear, from the elders’ singing group that performed, a couple of stories from allies about their positive experiences with our community.
Some of the challenges we are currently seeing overseas might prompt us to reflect on the journey towards LGBTI+ inclusive spaces and legislation. I was particularly moved by a recent article in Vanity Fair on the challenges that LGBTQ agencies are facing in the Ukraine (here is the link https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2022/03/the-fight-for-ukraine-is-also-a-fight-for-lgbtq-rights).
At some point in the future, we hope to explore how we can support some of these agencies that are doing good work against incredible odds. There are many things to be thankful for living in this country, and I do hope that over the coming weeks that we may be able to organise an event to show some kindness and support to these vulnerable people.
As you will see detailed below, we have an exciting Heritage Perth Week event coming up. With tickets to this free event going quickly, it is important to book immediately. We have a range of speakers, including people from The Chameleon Society, whose narratives bring to life a side of Perth that few are aware of.
Please continue to keep COVID safe (I say this from my desk at home as I self-isolate), and let us know if there is anyone you’d like us to reach out to with our Befriender Program.
All the best for Easter and ANZAC day. I hope to see you at an event soon.
With Pride,
Michael
Chair, GRAI Board
GRAI’S WA SENIORS STRATEGY CONSULTATION
The Department of Communities is developing a whole-of-government 10-year strategy in consultation with key stakeholders including community services providers, peak bodies, WA state government agencies, local government agencies and older Western Australians.
The strategy is due out in November 2022 and will include a series of two-year action plans that will connect, coordinate, and evaluate activities across government agencies.
The consultation is for older people who are:
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 55 years and over
Non- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 65 years and over
And pre-seniors who are Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 45 to 54 years and non-Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 55 to 64 years.
GRAI conducted two consultations in March: (1) an in-person LGBTI Senior’s Consultation; and, (2) an online regional LGBTI Senior’s Consultation.
Four LGBTI older people attended the in-person consultation and four older LGBTI people attended the online consultation.
The group of LGBTI pre-seniors and seniors expressed their views on a range of questions that focused on what is required for them to live independently, age well, stay connected to community, stay healthy, and the barriers to ageing well for older LGBTI people. The responses and views will be compiled into a report for the Department of Communities.
SPECIAL EVENTS
RIGHT TO BELONG: LGBTI PEOPLE & AGED CARE – FREE TRAINING
This training is funded by the Commonwealth Department of Health as part of the National LGBTI Ageing and Aged Care Training Project, and is subsidised for those working in the aged care sector.
These workshops will:
• Increase awareness and understanding of LGBTI clients and support the delivery of culturally safe and welcoming services to LGBTI elders.
• Assist your organisation to provide LGBTI inclusive care and comply with legal obligations under the Aged Care Act and the Equal Opportunities Act.
For the first time GRAI will be offer this half course ONLINE
TUESDAY 12th April 9-12
Register by 5th April and a link will be sent to you.
HERITAGE PERTH WEEKEND 2022
BOORLOO KWEDJANG BARDIP YANGINY
Sunday 10th April 2022As part of the City of Perth LGBTIQA+ inclusive plan, the city is starting to recognise and celebrate its LGBTI heritage.
GRAI will be hosting an event at the Perth City Library as part of the City’s Heritage weekend, Sunday 10th April 2022 from 2-5pm.
We have three sessions, and registration for each one is free:
Older Lesbians (2-3pm)
Hear older Lesbians share their stories of living , loving, coming out and socialising in Perth venues in the early 70’s and 80’s.
Register here.
The Chameleon Society (3-4pm)
The Chameleon Society existed for many years in Perth, Western Australia. It offered a supportive environment for transvestites (cross-dressers) and transsexuals (transgender folk, whether pre or post operative). Hear older members of the Chameleon Society share their stories of living, loving, coming out and socialising in Perth venues in the early 70’s and 80’s.
Register here.
Older Gay Men (4-5pm)
Hear older Gay Men share their stories of living, loving, coming out and socialising in Perth venues in the early 70’s and 80’s.
Register here.
BETTER TOGETHER: LGBTIQA+ VOLUNTEERING IDEAS
For National Volunteer Week (16-22 May, 2022), GRAI and Living Proud will be hosting a Better Together: LGBTIQA+ Volunteering Ideas session.
Saturday 21st May 10am -12.30pm
Southcare Hall, 19 Pether Rd, Manning
Join in some easy volunteering activities and meet like-minded others
Learn about the volunteer opportunities with local LGBTIQA+ organisations.
There will be a special guest speaker &
Sarah Collins from Living Proud will present on a range of great online volunteering options.
Morning tea provided
Please register your attendance here.
GRAI PROJECTS
GRAI’S BEFRIENDER PROGRAM
GRAI’s new Befriending Program is off to a great start! We now have ten lovely Befrienders ready to go (including one in Bunbury) and three Befriending pairs have been matched and are now meeting regularly. It is great to see people reconnecting with the LGBTI community via their Befriender, and being able to talk about things they can’t discuss with their children or ‘straight’ folk.
Befriendee’s Wanted!!!
Do you know someone who is lonely or isolated that would like to be visited or go on outings with an LGBTI peer on a weekly or fortnightly basis?
We are seeking Befriendees who would like someone to visit them or take them out in the following areas:
An older lesbian woman in the Northern Suburbs (Heathridge and surrounds) to meet with a Befriender who speaks another language (Russian) and has lived in other countries. Common interests would include sewing/craft, theatre, beach, energy medicine/natural therapies.
An older trans woman in the Northern Suburbs (Clarkson and surrounds) to meet with a Befriender who is a non-drinker, who enjoys ballet/theatre and trying new things (but nothing too strenuous).
An older lesbian woman in the Southern Suburbs (Warnbro) to meet with a Befriender who speaks fluent French and enjoys board games.
An older gay man in central Perth (Lathlain and surrounds) to meet with a Befriender who likes gardening, coffee outings and going for a drive.
An older lesbian or pansexual woman in central Perth (or surrounds) to meet with a Befriender who will support them to go on outings to a local cafe, park, public library, LGBTI events, or try new things/experiences, etc.
An older person of any gender (or non-binary) in the Brunswick (Bunbury) area to meet with a lesbian Befriender interested in activities such as art, gardening, yoga, bushwalking/hiking, music, etc.
All Befrienders are trained and have a police clearance and up-to-date COVID-19 vaccinations.
If you are interested in our Befriending program, either as a participant or a volunteer, please email Rowan at villagehub@grai.org.au to express your interest.
You can download our Befriender EOI pamphlet here.
You can download our Befriendee Referral form here.
GLBTI Elders’ Advisory Group
We are still seeking trans, non-binary or intersex elders to join us so that we can include the needs and interests of all members of our community. We would also love to include elders with an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander background or a CALD background.
If you have lived experience or professional experience relevant to this program, please email us at villagehub@grai.org.au to express your interest. You can download our Elders’ Advisory Group EOI pamphlet here.
LGBTI-FRIENDLY DOCTORS LIST
GRAI is developing a GLBTI- and Elder’s-friendly Doctor’s List! If you have GP that you would like to recommend, please contact us at info@grai.org.au and let us know their name, the practice they work from and the suburb of the practice. One lucky contributor will win a prize 🙂 Thank you!
CALL OUT FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST FROM ORGANISATIONS WANTING FREE RAINBOW READINESS TRAINING
Does your organisation provide a service that includes LGBTI elders? Would staff or volunteers at your organisation benefit from four hours of LGBTI cultural safety training?
GRAI has received federal funding that enables us to provide two free trainings before the end of June 2022. We can accommodate 25 participants in each training. We anticipate offering our trainings early in May and late in June 2022.
Please express your interest by sending an email to villagehub@grai.org.au outlining how the GRAI Rainbow Readiness training would benefit LGBTI elders who use your service (250 words maximum). Please tell us how many staff/volunteers would attend and whether you are happy to co-train with another organisation if your participants number less than 25.
LGBTI LIFE STORIES
The interest in hearing or reading LGBTI life stories continues…
GRAI has been approached by COTA (Council on The Ageing) with a request for an older LGBTI person’s interesting personal story or experiences for their newsletter. The COTA newsletter goes out monthly to a wise audience.
If anyone has something that they would like to share, please write a maximum of two pages and provide a photo, if possible. Please contact Kedy Kristal (GRAI’s Executive Officer), for more information. eo@grai.org.au
CONTACT GRAI
Your views are important
If you have news or views to share that are relevant to making the world a better place for LGBTI elders, contact: info@grai.org.au. We look forward to hearing from you, or seeing you at one or several of our upcoming events!
GRAI’s new contact address:
PO Box 350
Mt Hawthorn WA 6915
Staff Contacts
If you would like to contact Kedy Kristal (Executive Officer), please email her at eo@grai.org.au or call her Mobile: 0484 639 886
If you would like to contact Rowan Brooker (Befriender Coordinator/Newsletter Coordinator), please email him at villagehub@grai.org.au or call him on 0493 368 023 on Wednesdays or Thursdays (or text/leave a message).
Celebrating Lesbian Visibility 26th April, 2022
Lesbian Visibility Day is an annual awareness campaign held on April 26. Its origins are unknown, but the campaign is believed to have been launched in 2008 and has since spread across the world thanks to the Internet.
Lesbian Visibility Day celebrates lesbian role models and lesbian culture and diversity, as well as raises awareness of the issues that lesbians have to face. In terms of medical issues, for example, many women who have sex with women neglect to see a gynaecologist when they become sexually active and lack information about the prevention of STDs that can be transmitted during lesbian sex.
As far as mental health issues are concerned, anxiety is more likely to appear among lesbian and bisexual women than heterosexual women. Depression is a significant problem among lesbians who must hide their sexual orientation, experience religious or ethnic discrimination, or go through relationship problems with no support system. Not to mention that corrective rapes and other hate crimes against lesbian women are still common in some parts of the world.
Charlotte Cushman (1816-1876)
Lesbian actress Charlotte Cushman, who lived from 1816 to 1876, was one of the most famous actresses of her time. She played both male and female parts — wearing male clothes to play a role was one of the only types of “cross-dressing” deemed acceptable at the time. She was in a public romantic relationship with her partner Matilda Hays at a time when “Boston marriages” were the norm.
Radclyffe Hall (1880 – 1943)
Radclyffe Hall was a badass British author and butch lesbian who was active in the early 1900s. Her novel “The Well of Loneliness,” published in 1928, was a semi-autobiographical novel about a lesbian woman who longs to be accepted as a man. Banned in the UK at the time, it was secretly beloved by thousands and remains a crucial contribution to butch lesbian literature.
Gladys Bentley (1907 – 1960)
Gladys Bentley was a major performer during the Harlem Renaissance in the 1930s. She became “Harlem’s most famous lesbian” according to The New York Times, and she often wore a top hat and tuxedo while singing salacious blues songs at Black establishments. Bentley doesn’t often get the recognition she deserves, but in fact, she was one of the first visible Black lesbian entertainers in American history.
Stormé DeLarverie (1920-2014)
Biracial butch lesbian Stormé DeLarverie, born in New Orleans in 1920, is known as the “Rosa Parks of the gay community.” Some say her confrontation with the police sparked the 1969 Stonewall uprising, and for decades, she remained an icon in the lesbian nightlife scene, working as a bouncer, MC, singer, and drag king. DeLarverie MCed and performed at the first racially integrated drag revue in North America from 1955 to 1969. She was also a major pioneer for androgynous, gender non-conforming fashion for women.
Leslie Feinberg (1949 – 2014)
Leslie Feinberg’s 1993 novel “Stone Butch Blues” is a pillar of not only butch lesbian literature but also gender studies as a whole. She played a major role in bringing issues of gender, sexuality, and gender expression to the general public, raising awareness and giving people the vocabulary to talk about these topics.
Queer Book Club
Join us either online or in-person for Queer BookClub as we discuss ‘The Trauma Cleaner’ – A literary non-fiction book that looks at one transwoman’s extraordinary life in death decay and disaster. NOTE: This book may be triggering for some readers. Copies of the book are available from Crow Books at a discount – just mention you are a Queer BookClub member.
The online meeting on Tuesday 26th April will be held via Teams. To obtain the meeting link please email secretary@grai.org.au by Mon 25th April.
The in-person meeting will be held on Wednesday 27th April, 6pm-7.30pm at Connect Victoria Park. Full event details are available at https://www.facebook.com/groups/graiqueerbookclub
Queer BookClub is supported by Crow Books Vic Park and Dept of Communities.
🌈 Queer BookClub Facebook Group 📚
Meet’n’Muse
Meet n Muse (MnM) discussion group for older LBT women, has two locales: The Perth group has, by agreement with regular attendees, cancelled its meetings for the time being. The group will resume meeting at Citiplace when members feel comfortable to begin meeting in person again. Perth attendees are welcome to attend the Mandurah meetings, which are held outdoors.The Mandurah group is meeting on the 1st and 3rd Sundays as usual (1.30pm), at an outdoor venue.
Musers usually debate a given topic of interest for 1 hour, then mosey on to a nearby café. New members are always welcome, please contact Pam for further information and to confirm meeting dates/times and location: GRAIPamm@gmail.com or 0420 929 583.
Prime Timers
Prime Timers is a vibrant social club for mature gay and bisexual men, offering a full calendar of diverse activities to keep you well-connected and enjoying life. Meetings are held 2pm on the second Sunday of each month, at ‘The Homestead’ 5 Mackie St, Vic Park, with a guest speaker and afternoon tea. Other activities include dinner nights, coffee mornings, lunch club, book club and special outings. Visit www.primetimerswa.com.au
OUTdance
OUTdance is the place to go to get fit and have fun 🙂 They hold LGBTI community dance classes every Tuesday from 7:00pm at the Mt Hawthorn Community Hall, 197 Scarborough Beach Rd. Relaxed and non-competitive, OUTdance always welcomes new members. Contact Jan on 0401 700 562 or visit the website here.
Perth Outdoors Group
Perth Outdoors Group are mature age LGBTI folk who enjoy a wide range of social activities (not always outdoors!) Functions are held monthly on weekends and there’s also a monthly coffee club. For further info visit https://www.perthoutdoorsgroup.com/
Rainbow Toastmakers
Find your voice at Perth Rainbow Toastmasters! Develop confidence in public speaking, communication, leadership and presentation skills… in an LGBTI+ friendly environment…
Rainbow Toastmasters meet 1st and 3rd Sundays of the month, 2-4pm, Level 1, 931 Albany Highway. Contact Tim, perthrainbowtm@gmail.com or 0403 051 081. FB: Perth-Rainbow-Toastmasters.
RECENT RESEARCH REPORTS AND TOPICS OF INTEREST
LGBTI and Dementia: Understanding Changes in Behaviour
LGBTIQ+ Health Australian and Dementia Support Australia have developed a resource for aged care staff who are caring for LGBTI people. The resource outlines some of the issues older LGBTI people have faced in their lives and how this may impact on their behaviour if they develop dementia.
Click here for a link to GRAI’s interview on RTR-FM and a copy of the report.
BOOK & FILM REVIEWS
Are you looking for a gift for the little people in your life? Here are five queer Australian picture books for children…
Who’s Your Real Mum? Written by Bernadette Green, Illustrated by Anna Zobel
This picture book challenges the stereotypes of what makes a family. It addresses a common question that same-sex parents and their children inevitably face: Who’s your real mum?
Elvie has two Mums and her curious friend Nicholas constantly asks which mum is the “real” one. As Nicholas persists, Elvi comes up with increasingly outlandish, imaginative responses. Ultimately, Elvi teaches Nicholas the beautiful lesson that the role of a parent is far more than just biology.
Wrestle by Maya Newell, Charlotte Mars, Gus Skattebol-James, illustrated by Tom Jellett
Inspired by the award-winning documentary, Gayby Baby, Wrestle is a story of queer family, identity and challenging stereotypes.It explores the broad spectrum of “maleness” through the main character Gus’s obsession with wrestling. Gus ultimately arrives at the realisation that there is more than one way to be a boy and most definitely more than one way to be a wrestler.
My Shadow is Pink, by Scott Stuart
My Shadow is Pink draws on the author-illustrator’s life, and his relationship with his son, to challenge gender stereotypes. The book tells the story of a young boy whose pink shadow is different to his dad’s blue shadow. The boy loves ponies, princesses, and putting on dresses, and while he is initially embarrassed about this, his father helps him to overcome this and to just be himself.
Love Makes a Family, by Sophie Beer
Drawing on everyday activities, from reading and bathing to finding lost toys, this colourful board book for the very young celebrates family life in all of its diversity. It provides a great opportunity for carers and educators to discuss ideas about family and relationships.The message is simple: love sits at the centre of every family, regardless of its shapes and forms.
Introducing Teddy: A Gentle Story about Gender and Friendship, by Jessica Walton, Illustrated by Dougal MacPherson
Errol and his teddy bear Thomas love playing together, but one day Errol realises that Thomas is very unhappy. After Errol ensures that Thomas feels safe to share his worries with him, Thomas confesses that he is a girl teddy and wants to be called Tilly. And Errol is fine with this.
Do you have a book or movie review that you would like to share?
We would love to be able to share good LGBTI movies that you have seen, or books that you have read. You don’t have to write more than a paragraph 🙂
Please send your reviews to Rowan at villagehub@secretary
OPPORTUNITIES AND USEFUL LINKS
Have Your Say on the Draft Advance Care Planning Guidelines for Consumers and Health Professionals
The WA Department of Health End of Life Care (EOLC) Program invites you to have your say on 2 draft guides to advance care planning (ACP):
Health professional guide to advance care planning
– provides an overview of the health professional role in advance care planning and links to existing resources for more details and guidance.
Your guide to advance care planning in WA:
A workbook to help you plan for your future care
– provides an introduction to advance care planning and includes activities to help individuals start the advance care planning process.The draft Guides have been developed by Subgroups of the Advance Care Planning Education Reference Group who are tasked with overseeing a review of all WA Health ACP resources and information.
Here is how to have your say: Complete the online survey –https://consultation.health.wa.gov.au/palliative-care-policy-unit/draft-acp-guides/
The survey takes approximately 20 minutes to complete and is open until Wed 13 April 2022.All members of the WA community are encouraged to complete the survey, in particular: individuals with an interest in ACPhealth and care providers involved in ACP with patients/clients.
If you have any queries, or if you would like to have input but are unable to complete the survey, please contact the Advance Care Planning Team within the EOLC Program via email at acp@health.wa.gov.au or phone 9222 2300.
Get Involved in the Community Debate about Coercive Control
The WA Government is encouraging the Western Australian community to get involved in community debate about the pattern of destructive family violence known as coercive control.
Attorney General John Quigley and Prevention of Family Violence Minister Simone McGurk have announced a community consultation process relating to coercive control, which will run until July 30.
The community will be asked to consider whether coercive control should become a criminal offence, or whether it can be better dealt with by other means.
Fact sheet – Legislative Responses to Coercive Control in WA
Discussion paper – Legislative Responses to Coercive Control in WA
There is an online submission form, you can email the Office at coercivecontrol@justice.wa.gov.au or call our office on 61 8 9264 9877 if you would like to engage with us on this issue.
Reimagining Home
Are you an older single woman 55+ interested in ageing well in your community of choice?
We want your input about your preferred options for home. Come to our gathering and let’s reimagine home together!
APRIL 22, 2022
11.30AM – 1.30PM
CONNECT VICTORIA PARK
5 MACKIE ST, VIC PARK
Refreshments will be served. Spaces are limited, register at https://tinyurl.com/yn7c4usv or call 9361 2904
This event has been supported by a Department of Communities Women’s Grant, Reimagining Home & Connect Victoria Park Inc
Older single women from all cultures are welcome as well as LGBTQIA+ older women.
Do You Know Any WA LGBTI Centenarians?
Creating community engaging projects that use art as a vehicle for positive social change.
The Centenarian Portrait Project by Teenagers is a community arts project that promotes intergenerational friendships, celebrates life at 100 (in all its forms) and fights the negative ageing stigma. Each rendition of the program involves 100 teenage artists and 100 centenarians. A life-affirming intergenerational process culminates in an art exhibition presenting 100 portraits of 100-year-olds by local teenage artists.
For most artists it is a chance to meet a centenarian for the first time; for centenarian subjects, a chance to share their story and for both generations a memorable exchange of perspectives. Each artist is matched with their subject geographically or linguistically.
The Embraced team makes the initial introduction, ensuring pairs to get to know one another in a supported environment. The artists visit their subject multiple times; mapping out sketches, taking photos and playing the occasional game of dominos.
The artists then return to their studios to complete their artwork. Accompanying each portrait is a statement about the experience, their subject and life at 100.
After each exhibition concludes, our centenarians are gifted their portrait as a keepsake, and a reminder; ageing is a journey, and we are all on it together. This project has been running since 2017 and has already been an outstanding success culminating in an exhibition of paintings in seniors week in Victoria, NSW, QLD , currently it is beginning in South Australia and Tasmania and will come to WA in May 2022.
Check it out at https://www.embraced.com.au
‘We need to remember that the older generations have a voice, have lived full and joyous lives with wonderful experiences and we need to honour them in their golden years.’
Palliative Care WA – Free Online Community Workshops
My Future Care – An Introduction to Advance Care Planning
Advance Care Planning is making plans that cover our care, lifestyle, health and finances for the last part of our lives. By working out what we want, we get to have a say about our end of life as well as making things easier on those around us.
We have six free online Advance Care Planning workshops scheduled for the coming months. Each will cover information on what’s involved in Advance Care Planning, how to get started, and how to talk with your loved ones about your end-of-life wishes.
These workshops are suitable for any community member regardless of age, health or background. You don’t need any prior knowledge of Advance Care Planning to take part. And thanks to funding from the WA Department of Health, these workshops are free for anyone living in WA.
How does it work?
Registration is essential via Eventbrite. After you register, we will send you a resource pack that you need to participate in the workshop. Early registration means it will be posted, otherwise, the documents will be emailed or can be accessed online. Closer to the workshop date we will email the Zoom link needed to access the workshop. We will also provide some general tips on using Zoom and participating in online workshops.
Dates and Registration Links
Thursday 28 April, 1 – 2:30pm – Register at https://pcwa-myfuturecare-28april2022.eventbrite.com.au
Wednesday 18 May, 10 – 11:30am – Register at https://pcwa-myfuturecare-18may2022.eventbrite.com.au
Thursday 16 June, 10 – 11:30am – Register at https://pcwa-myfuturecare-16june2022.eventbrite.com.au
Tuesday 19 July, 1 – 2:30pm – Register at https://pcwa-myfuturecare-19july2022.eventbrite.com.au
New Mental Health Telephone Support Line for Western Australians
The McGowan Government has launched a new telephone support line providing a single point of contact for Western Australians who are concerned about their own or another person’s mental health issues and/or alcohol and other drug use.
The ‘Here For You’ phone helpline will provide accessible and immediate mental health and alcohol and other drug use support for the people in the community who may be struggling, and will focus on individual needs.
The helpline is being staffed by qualified counsellors who can: listen to what is going on for you and/or the person you care about; provide emotional support; provide information about alcohol and other drug use, mental health and wellbeing; explore coping and relapse prevention strategies; and discuss options and offer information about local services.
People can call ‘Here For You’ on 1800 here4u (1800 437 348) from 7am to 10pm every day.
For more information about the phone helpline head to https://www.mhc.wa.gov.au/hereforyou, or email Hereforyou@mhc.wa.gov.au
WA Funeral Industry
A consumer advisory organisation, CHOICE and Australian Consumer and Competition Commission recent investigations into the funeral industry found a lack of price transparency on funeral goods and services. To address this, the State Government will be introducing a new code of practice for the funeral industry under the Fair Trading Act 2010 (WA) to improve how prices are provided to consumers.
The new Code will require funeral directors to be more transparent and upfront for all funeral goods and services at their place of business and on their website (if they have one). This will help consumers compare prices of various funeral goods and services without having to engage with a funeral director. This will assist consumers to make more informed decisions about purchasing funeral goods and services.
Funeral directors will also be required to provide the following information to the person before entering into an agreement with a person for the supply of goods and services for a funeral: the price of each of the particular goods and services that will be supplied to the person under the agreement; the cost of any disbursements that will be payable by the person under the agreement; the total amount payable under the agreement. This will assist consumers to make more informed decisions about purchasing funeral goods and services.
The Funeral Pricing Code will apply to any funeral director who supplies funeral goods and services in WA. The pricing requirements will apply to both pre-paid funerals and ‘at need funerals’. Funeral Directors who provide pre-paid funerals will also have to comply with the Prepaid Funerals Code of Practice.
Why are we seeking your feedback on the proposed new Code?
We are seeking feedback on the draft Funeral Pricing Code to obtain industry and consumer views on the proposed draft Code. Links to the surveys are how you can provide feedback are available on the Funeral Pricing Code Consultation page.
Feedback will close on 21 April 2022.
What happens next?
Following the consultation, feedback will be considered by the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety – Consumer Protection Division (Consumer Protection). A final version of the draft Funeral Pricing Code will then be provided to the Minister for approval. Consumer Protection expects the new Code to be published in mid-2022.
https://www.commerce.wa.gov.au/publications/draft-funeral-pricing-code
Your written feedback can be submitted by:
Mail:
Funeral Pricing Code
Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety
Consumer Protection Division
Locked Bag 100 EAST PERTH WA 6892
Email: consultations@dmirs.wa.gov.au
Or by online survey on the Dept of Mines Industry Regulation and Safety website.
Extension to the Timelines for the WA Seniors Strategy
Due to unforeseen circumstances, including the impact of rising COVID-19 cases in the community, the consultation sessions will be postponed for six weeks (until May 2022). A new consultation schedule will be available shortly.
The new series of consultation sessions will be offered in a hybrid format where possible which means they will be available for both in-person and online participation. Updated information will be provided at www.ipsau.com.au/research-waseniorsstrategy .
Further information on opportunities to be involved in the consultation process can be found at WA Seniors Strategy (www.wa.gov.au) .
The survey will also remain open until the end of May 2022.
LGBTIQ+ Health Australia 2022 Federal Election Policy Priorities
LGBTIQ+ Health Australia has released their 2022 Federal Election policy priorities: Improving the health and well-being of LGBTIQ+ communities.
They have two priority actions:
1. Changing systems to address inequities experienced by LGBTIQ+ people and communities.
Develop and invest in a National LGBTIQ+ health and wellbeing action planCount LGBTIQ+ people and communities in data collectionInvest in LGBTIQ+ community-controlled health services
2. Targeted support for LGBTIQ+ people and communities
Prioritise the mental health and wellbeing of LGBTIQ+ communities
Protect the human rights of people with innate variations in sex characteristics
Ensure the rights and needs of LGBTIQ+ people in the next national plan to prevent all forms of family, domestic and sexual violence
Deliver gender-affirming care in the public health system
Equality and Opportunity for LGBTIQ+ People with Disability
Ensure safe and culturally appropriate aged care services
The full paper is available here.
Need aged care services? Don’t know how or where to begin?
MY AGED CARE is the starting point to access Australian government-funded aged care services.
The phone line and website can help older Australians, their families and carers to get the help and support they need. http://myagedcare.gov.au/about-us or phone MY AGED CARE contact centre on 1800 200 422