The project aims to assist the documenting of Australia’s personal heritage and will be accessible through the Internet to all older persons whether living in aged care facilities or living in the wider community. It will stimulate a high level of inter-generational activity as families document their family trees.

"Australia’s Pioneers" has the potential to be an extremely successful national and international project.
For more information, please contact Mrs Helen Matthews, National Seniors Association, Tel: (03) 9620 1311 Fax: (03) 9620 1399

Adelaide gears up to host the Masters Games

In 1999, South Australia will host more than twenty thousand visitors, twelve thousand of them competing for gold, silver and bronze medals at next year’s premier multi-sport festival, the 7^th Australian Masters Games. The Australian Masters Games are second only to the World Masters Games.

An initiative of the Confederation of Australian Sport, the first Australian Masters were contested in Tasmania in 1987. The second Games were held in Adelaide in 1989. A decade later and Adelaide is proud to be the first city to host this prestigious event for a second time. The Games, to be held from September 25- October 3, 1999 will be the largest multi-sport event yet to be held in South Australia. Plans are well underway to stage more than forty-five team and individual sports.

"We are not only looking for ex-champions to take part in the Games. Anyone who wants to ‘have a go’ can participate. The only qualification for entry is that you are old enough.", said Mr Rob Curkpatrick, General Manager of the 7^th Australian Masters Games. "From a participants point of view, healthy participation, mutual enjoyment and involvement in sport, making friends and sharing experiences are what the Games are all about."
For further information please contact Rob Curkpatrick, General Manager, 7^th Australian Masters Games or Justine Firth, Marketing Services Manager. Tel: (08) 8300 6140

Gardening Bridges Technology and Generation Gaps

A new innovative project is underway that aims to bridge the technology and generational gaps during 1999. The Garden of Life schools project encourages school children - particularly at primary level- to invite their grandparents to a special Internet day. The children record their reflections of their grandparents’ gardens on the Garden of Life website. All schools can take part by registering on the site and automatically receive an information kit and press release for local papers. It is a national project and details can be found on: www.greenweb.com.au/gardening

The Garden of Life is a national initiative of a Melbourne-based communications and Internet company, the Green Web Pty Ltd, which focuses on the social and environmental importance of gardening for older people.
For more information please visit the website or contact Ron Smith on (03) 9818 5700

The Meeting of Generations

An exciting 1999 national conference entitled "The Meeting of Generations" is currently being planned for IYOP that will involve Australians of all ages. The Conference will be held in Sydney on 15-16 November 1999 at the Sydney Convention Centre, Darling Harbour.

The Meeting of Generations will engage people of all generations in addressing the positive lessons that have been learned this century and addressing aspirations for the next century. Participants of all generations will be given the opportunity to participate in discussing each of the issues.

The two day meeting will be highly interactive and action-oriented. The program will include eight "subject tracks"- Family & Community; Work, Employment & Income; Demographics, Health & Long-life Planning; Governance & Participation Environment; Technology; Values & Ethics; Education & Communication. Within each of the eight subject tracks there will be a major presentation setting the scene, discussions led by experienced facilitators, and action planning sessions.
For more information contact Ms Gail Le Bransky, Manager – IYOP, Ageing & Disability Department, NSW Government Tel: (02) 9367 6826 Fax: (02) 9638 6890 E-mail: gail.lebransky@add.nsw.gov.au Website: http://www.add.nsw.gov.au/iyop/htm

Inaugural National Nanna’s DayÔ

The Smith Family, in conjunction with Nanna’s (makers of frozen desserts) has announced that a National Nanna’s DayÔ will be held on Sunday 25 July 1999. The newly assigned day gives grandchildren and children across the country the opportunity to celebrate the important role grandmothers play in many people’s lives every day.

Official spokesperson, Ita Buttrose, said, "I’m delighted to be associated with the new event which directly benefits The Smith Family."

The Smith Family will receive a percentage of the profits generated by fun-filled activities and from Nanna’s national product promotions. The funds will contribute to The Smith Family’s welfare program, which already assists over 220,000 people annually. Of this number, approximately 20% of recipients are aged 55 years and older.

For Elaine Henry, Chief Executive Officer of The Smith Family, National Nanna’s DayÔ is, "an excellent way for the community to unite and show they care. We’re looking forward to participating in this special day, and generating much needed funds to help the disadvantaged."

National Nanna’s Day Ô will be officially launched in February 1999.

The 1999 GIO Australia Ageing Through the Lens Photographic Competition & Exhibition

The entry forms for the 1999 National Photographic Competition are now available. This is a non-profit event organised by Ballarat Health Services and City of Ballarat, and aims to promote positive images of ageing, challenge stereotypes and facilitate intergenerational connection. GIO is the primary sponsor of the initiative.

The competition is open to all people across Australia. A selection of photographs will be exhibited in three locations within Victoria and possibly other venues across Australia (pending current funding submissions).

Photographers of all ages are encouraged to enter the competition. There are specific sections for secondary school students, senior photographers (over 60 years of age) and an open section for photographers of any age.
For an entry form and further information, contact Ms Kerry Walsh at Ballarat Health Services on (03) 5320 3886

National Drama Programs For IYOP

Irving House is a small publishing house that wishes to design a range of IYOP educational resources for primary and junior secondary students in the fields of Drama and English. The activities within the programs aim to bridge the gap between younger and older generations, and increase awareness and appreciation of older members of our community. The publishing house produced a successful drama kit to commemorate the International Year of Oceans 1998.

Irving House proposes to approach local community organisations and businesses within municipalities across Australia with regard to sponsoring the programs for schools in their respective areas.

Irving House has recently become a registered business partner organisation of AC’99.
For more information contact Fernando Francisco, Operations Manager, Irving House on Tel: (03) 9396 1144 or Fax: (03) 9396 1700

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