Zoe McKenzie (Flinders, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

Today I rise to thank and celebrate all the magnificent people who made my first Seniors Expo, held in Mornington on 24 May, such an awesome day. Over 40 per cent of the population of my electorate of Flinders is aged over 55; it makes my residents wise, compassionate, caring and civic spirited.

It was fitting, therefore, that the expo was opened by the magnificent Bruce Turner, the president of the Rosebud RSL subbranch, who makes ageing both purposeful and fun. For 30 years Bruce and his team of volunteers have clocked up thousands of hours carrying out veteran welfare. More than 400 people came along to the Peninsula Theatre to hear all about their local services, ranging from residential care to real estate, to banking and Centrelink, to leisure, travel, Dromana Bowls and Boomers Life Coaching, as well as home help, mobility assistance and a variety of healthcare services.

The wonderful team at Bendigo Bank and the ACCC gave a vital presentation on avoiding scams, and Peninsula Health spoke about elder abuse. There was a full house for presentations by Services Australia and the residents of retirement villages. The Country Women's Association came to the party, baking fresh scones and sandwiches for morning tea and lunch, and there was singing by the Southern Sounds Chorus. The sponsors were numerous and generous, and I thank you all: Belle Property; Tully's; Bluescope; Village Glen; Regis Aged Care; Classic Denture Studio; Kieser physio; Marshalls and Dent; Mornington Travel; Prestige InHome Care; My Care Path; Ritchies IGA; Freedom Wealth Solutions; Audika Hearing Clinic; and RCA Villages.

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