I PROPOSE that a group should consist of Gawler elders with a view to becoming an incorporated association.
The basic idea is to have a Gawler Elders Association that we will drive for local Gawler elders and be able to apply for government grants for the purposes which we as Gawler elders decide.
Those over “pension age” would qualify as members.
Those with an interest in ageing, such as children of members and those nearing pension age could become associate members.
We would become qualified by becoming an association to directly tap in to state and federal funding grants which would “without administration fees” go directly to benefit those needs which we identify.
As 58 per cent of Gawler elders are lowincome earners and 76 per cent are on the aged pension then we need to recognise that and tap into grants.
As a retired lawyer, I am happy to prepare the articles of association and a draft set of objectives so that it can be registered.
I will not do so until I find out if there are enough people willing to come in and run the show.
I would like others to contribute to what the objects might be.
I certainly do not need to be the president or any office bearer, but we will need a president, secretary, public officer and committee members.
We may be old, but we are not decrepit and I, for one, am fed up with being targeted as such. Time for us to look after ourselves.
John Bolton, Gawler East
