AMBASSADOR FOR AGEING
Noeline Brown
MEDIA RELEASE
5 December 2009
AMBASSADOR FOR AGEING RECOGNISES OLDER VOLUNTEERS
Ambassador for Ageing Noeline Brown has asked everyone to take the time to
recognise and thank older Australian volunteers for the enormous contribution they
make on International Volunteer Day (5 December 2009).
More than a quarter of Australian seniors, or more than 690,000 people, volunteer,
contributing around 160 million hours of their time every year.
Ms Brown said: “Older volunteers provide invaluable services to their communities
through their voluntary contributions.
“Older Australians volunteer freely and give up their time to support sport, the arts,
health, housing, community care and education.
“Retiring from work does not mean retiring from life and our older volunteers are proof of this
often finding they are busier in retirement than they were during their working lives.
“I have met many inspiring older Australian volunteers who dedicate so much of their own
time for others and I thank and commend them for their commitment,” Ms Brown said. .
Yesterday, the Rudd Government launched the Golden Guru initiative which connects
community organisations in need of expertise with skilled volunteers aged over 50.
“There is an untapped group of about five million highly skilled people in our country with
an incredible depth of workforce experience and their assistance could help so many
community organisations and I encourage other older Australians to get involved.
“Older volunteers make a real difference and each of their contributions help make their
communities better places to live,” Ms Brown said.
Last year, Minister for Ageing, Justine Elliot appointed Ms Brown as Australia’s first
Ambassador for Ageing to encourage older Australians to have a strong voice, a direct
link to government and a person to promote positive and active ageing.
by calling 1300 650 925 or emailing GoldenGurus@deewr.gov.au
MEDIA NOTE:
To arrange an interview with the Ambassador for Ageing please contact Toni McLennan,
Department of Health and Ageing, phone: 0402 674 457.
NEWS 
