I applaud Anjali Walsh’s excellent proposal to Council for a community-led initiative providing elders with a platform to speak for themselves called ‘The Ministry of Ageing’. She also mentioned affordable courses specifically for our burgeoning older population, and giving them a voice.
Serendipitously I have been designing a course to encourage elders to speak out called ‘Letter Writing as Community Service.’ As a seasoned letter writer to The Echo, and a regular contributor to The Nimbin Good Times and The Clarence Valley Independent, I have a wealth of experience to help elders have their say. You don’t even have to be a good writer if you know how to use Chat GPT.
Using our knowledge and wisdom to stand up for something we believe in helps us stay relevant and to be heard. It’s also good for our brains.
Don’t let society put you in the corner and shut you up. You can be an agent for social change and grow your power by using and sharing your wisdom and knowledge. Happily, you can do this from home and at no cost to you. No inkwells or stamped envelopes these days. And it is always a buzz to see your name in print.
I will be running several free two-hour courses in early 2025. I will consider a Zoom class if people are unable to get to my place. If you are interested please contact me on [email protected].
For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling. 
