Community
18 June, 2026
Celebrating ageing
TERANG hosted a special event designed to support Corangamite’s senior community members as part of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day.
Monday marked World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, a day which the United Nations designed as a global call to action to raise awareness for abuse, neglect and mistreatment of older people.
Corangamite Shire Council marked the day at the Civic Hall Rose Room in Terang, with a special presentation from Mpower Inc. coordinator of community development and South West Elder Abuse Prevention Network representative Frazer Ormondroyd.
Around 20 members of the community were in attendance to learn more about what makes the day so important and how older residents can protect themselves, set boundaries, understand their rights and how to access support if it is needed.
Among those in attendance was Corangamite Shire Council deputy mayor Laurie Hickey and Lake Keilambete Ward councillor Geraldine Conheady.
Cr Hickey said he encouraged people to be willing to have difficult conversations if they felt they were in a situation which was not appropriate.
“Sometimes it is the people we trust – our friends, our relatives, who take advantage of situations,” he said.
“It is more likely people are experiencing financial abuse, which is a big one if you trust someone else to look after banking and they are being less than honest.
“We hope the day can bring some of these issues to the forefront.
“Awareness matters because it’s part of what we as a community deserve – we need to make sure everyone is included and everyone is safe in their environment.
“Corangamite Shire Council’s Positive Access, Aging and Inclusion team are committed to helping and creating a community where older people are included and can participate fully, remain connected and live independently.”
Cr Hickey said it was vital the region’s aging population are protected, included and appreciated in all spaces across the shire.
“Preventing elder abuse is everyone’s business,” he said.
“It starts with respect, it grows through awareness and becomes real change when communities like ours can speak up, look out for one another, and ensure people are treated with dignity – which is what they deserve.
“By making sure it is everyone’s business, it becomes our issue too.”
Mr Ormondroyd said World Elder Abuse Awareness Day was an important opportunity to acknowledge how attitudes and stereotypes can often leave older members of the community feeling disconnected.
“In many communities across the globe, elders are respected,” he said.
“Their voices are central to their communities; their wellbeing is a shared responsibility – the matriarch of many families is respected, revered and even feared sometimes.
“That respect is there, it is in-built, and that contrasts with how some of the western cultures can associate aging with loss.
“Where you might have a loss of visibility, for example, and in their own community where people may play really key roles can all of a sudden find themselves marginalised and pushed to the sidelines.
“When we reflect on these differences it reminds us that elderly views are shaped by the values we hold as a society, and the respect we choose to give to older people.”
If you or someone you know are experiencing elder abuse, call the police on 000.
To find out what support is available, contact Seniors Rights Victoria on 1300 368 821 or visit https://seniorsrights.org.au.
Support can also be accessed through the Australian Human Rights Commission at 1800 ELDERHelp (1800 353 374) or via www.betterplaceaustralia.com.au/elder-abuse-prevention-services.
Read More: Terang