Member for Wyong, David Harris with staff members from Yerrin-Eleanor Duncan Aboriginal Health Services: Vicki Parry (left) and Belinda Fields (right).

12 February 2025

 

ELENAOR Duncan Aboriginal Services in Wyong was successful as a grant recipient to help empower seniors to engage with the community and overcome loneliness.

 

A culturally appropriate community-led program for connecting elders to celebrate Aboriginal heritage.

 

The aim is to create a new program or enhance an existing program for older Aboriginal people that fosters social inclusion, builds social connections within their community and advances. Improve opportunities for older Aboriginal people to engage and connect with their communities, through cultural projects led by Aboriginal community organisations.

 

Eleanor Duncan Aboriginal Services is one of 28 organisations funded in this year’s Connecting Seniors Grant Program which supports projects across NSW in categories including Aboriginal, Multicultural, Creation, Enhancement or Expansion, and Local Council.

 

The Connecting Seniors Grant Program builds on previous grant rounds, which have been proven to reduce social isolation for thousands of seniors in NSW.

Since its launch in 2020, the grant program has funded more than 120 projects and engaged over 30,000 seniors across 82 Local Government Areas in NSW.

 

This program supports the Ageing Well in NSW: Seniors Strategy 2021-2031, demonstrating the Government’s commitment to creating a more inclusive community and addressing isolation and loneliness. The addition of both Aboriginal and Multicultural categories in 2025 aligns with the NSW Government’s Closing the Gap commitments and the Multicultural NSW Strategic Plan 2021-2025.

 

For more information about the grants program and the full list of recipients across the state, visit: Connecting Seniors Grant Program 2025 | NSW Government.

 

Jodie Harrison Minister for Seniors said, “With 28 organisations funded in 2025 across the state, there is something for everyone to get involved in.”

 

“These projects can provide a social lifeline for seniors who often live alone and ensures older people stay connected and age well.

 

“It’s important that we provided as many opportunities as we can for seniors to stay engaged with their communities and even try new experiences.

 

“Congratulations to the recipients – I’m looking forward to seeing our seniors make excellent use of the programs and activities on offer.”

 

The Hon. David Harris Member for Wyong said, “We are delighted that the Connecting Seniors grant program will help seniors in our community through the Connecting Elders in Darkinjung Country project.

 

“We want to ensure our seniors are staying connected to our community and feel included and valued – this project will help them do just that.”

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