Celebrating positive ageing

PEOPLE aged 55 and over now make up almost a third of Greater Geelong’s population and it presents challenges, but also some amazing opportunities to celebrate all that experience.

Geelong is not unique in having an aging population – it’s a demographic trend happening across Australia and many parts of world.

The strong community connections here in Geelong present us with unique opportunities to encourage healthy and active living for this ageing population, and for future generations.

We don’t hear it enough, but older residents play vital roles in our communities – as workers, caregivers, volunteers and cultural leaders.

Their experience is invaluable in shaping inclusive policies and programs, but we need to get much better at recognising and honouring those contributions, reinforcing the importance of respect, representation and active participation at every age.

Embracing these priorities is what guides the City of Greater Geelong’s work in building healthier, more inclusive communities for all.

Promoting resilience and equipping older adults with the knowledge and resources they need to age positively is critical, because ageing brings challenges that, if not addressed, make our society less resilient and more vulnerable to mental health problems.

To better understand these challenges, every three to four years the City commissions the Geelong Preventative Health Survey to help make informed decisions about infrastructure, initiatives, programs and advocacy for a healthier community.

The data measures trends for key indicators such as healthy eating, physical activity, mental health, smoking, alcohol consumption, personal safety and the health impacts of climate change.

The most recent survey taken last year has some indicators for health and wellbeing improving, but also highlights loneliness and social isolation as growing concerns in our region, particularly among older adults.

According to the survey, a quarter of our community reported feeling lonely, which is slightly above the state average and highlights the importance of building inclusive communities through neighbourhood connections, intergenerational programs and volunteering.

To address the rising reports of isolation and loneliness in our region, the City of Greater Geelong launched its new Social Inclusion Action Group program with a forum in August.

The action group is funded by the Victorian Government in response to the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System.

Following the forum, 19 members have been selected for the ongoing Social Inclusion Action Group based on lived experience, demographic diversity and capacity to contribute.

Together, the Social Inclusion Action Group will commence priority-setting work and develop a community-driven funding model, with a formal launch event planned for early 2026 to announce members and identify priorities for the broader community.

The group’s work will feed into what the City is already doing to support older residents through strategic priorities that promote mental wellbeing, social connection, active living, equitable access to healthy food, climate and health resilience and harm minimisation.

Tackling the challenge of an aging population and social isolation is one for the entire community.

By working together to celebrate positive ageing, strengthen connections across our region and better honour our older citizens, I am confident that Geelong can show leadership for others to follow.

Cr Rowan Story Murradoc Ward, City of Greater Geelong