Craft, Cuppa and Chat: Manning Friendship Group
Looking for a relaxed and friendly way to spend your morning? Join the Manning Friendship Group at Taree Library for the monthly Craft, Cuppa and Chat Session. Whether you're working on a craft project or simply want to enjoy a warm drink and conversation, everyone is welcome!
No craft skills required.
The group runs the first Tuesday of the month, at the Taree Library - 10am to 12.30pm.
For more information, please call - (02) 7955 7001.
Hunter Aged Care Expo
The Hunter Aged Care Expo is your gateway to discovering top-tier services, engaging with industry experts, and finding inspiration for a fulfilling life within your community. Whether you're an older person looking for ways to enhance your independence, or a carer seeking the best resources, this expo is designed to meet your needs.
Join the 30 local and national exhibitors showcasing their cutting-edge products and services. From health and wellness to innovative home care technologies, there's something for everyone.
Date: 18 June 2025
Time: 10am to 2pm
Location: Club Macquarie, 458 Lake Road Argenton, NSW 2284
Sewing and Craft at Harrington
Join the group at Harrington Library for sewing and crafts. Bring your creativity, meet like-minded makers, and enjoy a relaxed, social space to create and share.
The group runs every Thursday from 10am to 3pm at the Harrington Library.
For more information, please call (02) 7955 7001.
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day
Every year on June 15, we observe World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD), a globally recognised day to highlight the importance of dignity, respect, and safety for older people.
Elder Abuse can take many forms, including physical, emotional, financial, and even neglect. Unfortunately, it often goes unreported and unnoticed, especially when it is behind closed doors. WEEAD is a time to speak up, raise awareness, and encourage action.
TIn 2025, the theme "Right;'s First - Preventing ELder ABuse in a Changing Aged Care Landscape" calls attention to the urgent need to place human rights at the centre of aged care reform. As the Aged Care system continues to evolve, we must ensure that older people are not just passive recipients of service but are empowered to make choices, voice concerns, and live free from abuse, neglect, or explotation.
This WEAAD, let's recommit to putting the rights of older people first, in every home, service, policy and conversation.
For more information, visit the World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) website.
Aged Care Answers – Port Macquarie Library
Do you have any questions regarding the rights of seniors? Struggling to navigate aged care? Join Jill for a concise session on understanding services, negotiating care plans, and making confident decisions.
Former aged care advocate Jill Mcdonnell believes in making aged care as easy as possible, ensuring everyone is treated fairly.
Some questions you may have:
- What are my rights when receiving services?
- How do I access aged care services I've heard about, and can you tell me more about 'My Aged Care'?
- What fees do I have to pay for 'My Aged Care' services?
Confused by aged care options? This session simplifies the process, covering services, funding, and how to advocate for the best care. Get the guidance you need to make informed decisions.
Afternoon tea will be provided.
Date: Wednesday, 25 June 2025
Time: 2pm to 4pm
Location: Port Macquarie Library, 32 Grant Street. Port Macquarie
Reserve your spot here via the Port-Hastings Council website.
Brain Training – Woolgoolga Library
Join this engaging Brain Training session where you can challenge your mind and keep your cognitive skills sharp. Best of all, its free!
Engage in stimulating exercises designed to enhance memory, focus, and problem-solving abilities.
When: First Monday of every month at the Woolgoolga Library, with the next date being Monday, 7th July 2025.
Time: 10.30am to 11.30am
Games Morning, Game on!
Enjoy a morning of games at Harry Bailey Memorial Library. Starting with scrabble in July, the sessions are on the second Wednesday of each month, offering a chance to learn new games, enjoy old favourites and connect with others in a relaxed environment. No booking is necessary - Just bring your enthusiasm and join the fun.
The next games morning will be held on Wednesday, 9th July 2025 from 10.30am to 12pm.
The Living Well Expo is on again
Save the date! The Living Well Expo is on again this year in Coffs Harbour, on Wednesday, 6th August 2025 at the Coffs Harbour Showground.
Mark your calendars and stay tuned for more details - we'd love to see you there!
Craft and Connect
Looking for a creative outlet and chance to connect with fellow crafters? Craft and Connect is a free monthly gathering for craft lovers of all skills levels. Bring along your own project work or join in on exciting community crafting initiatives throughout the year. It is a wonderful opportunity to meet like-minded people, share ideas, and enjoy a relaxed morning with a cup of tea and coffee.
Craft and Connect runs the first Wednesday of every month (with the next date being Wednesday, 2nd July 2025) from 10.30am to 12.30pm at the Learning Lab, Level 2 Harry Bailey Memorial Library, Yarrila Place.
Bookings are required so the materials and morning tea can be prepared.
Chair Yoga
Enhance physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing for all ages and fitness levels.
Experience the tranquillity and rejuvenation of chair yoga. Whether you're seeking to enhance flexibility, reduce stress, or improve posture, the gentle yet effective practices are tailored to meet your needs and promote holistic wellness. It is free to attend.
Wednesday, 23rd July 2025 from 10.30 - 11am, at The Learning Lab, Level 2 Harry Bailey Memorial Library, Yarrila Place.
Support for getting the care you need
The new Aged Care Act places you at the centre of your aged care. It gives you more protection and empowers you to make decisions. It includes Strengthening Quality Standards to make sure you receive quality support and care, based on what is important to you.
The Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN) offers free, independent aged care advocacy to help you speak to your provider about your needs. Advocates can also help you understand your rights and explore options. You can call OPAN's Aged Care Advocacy line on 1800 700 600.
If you are concerned about the quality of your care, you can make a compliant to:
- fix a problem right away
- improve your care
- help other people with the same issue.
If talking to your aged care provider doesn't fix the issue, you can escalate the compliant to the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission - 1800 951 822.
Registered Supporters in My Aged Care
If you have a representative in My Aged Care on 30th June 2025, they will become your registered supporter on 1st July 2025. You don't need to do anything right now if you're happy with this.
Under the new Aged Care Act, your registered supporters can help you make and communicate your own decisions about aged care, if you want them to.
Before 1st July, if you have regular and/or authorised representations in My Aged Care, you should speak to them about your wishes and whether you want them to become your registered supporter.
If you don't want your current My Aged Care representatives to become your registered supporters, you or your representative will need to let My Aged Care know before 30 June 2025. This is called 'opting out'. You can do this by:
- phoning My Aged Care on 1800 200 422, or
- through your My Aged Care Online Account.
From 1st July you can request to remove a registered supporter at any time online or by calling My Aged Care.
To learn more about the upcoming changes to support roles and relationships on the changes, check out the Upcoming Changes to Support Role Fact Sheet.
Department of Health and Aged Care Updates
Free Community Information Day in Biripi Bushland Clinic
If you provide support a family member or friend who needs your assistance, there is support for you through Carer Gateway.
The Carer Gateway team will be available to assist you to understand the support and services available to you. Not sure whether support you provide a family member, or friend makes you a carer? Come and have a chat to the Carers NSW team and learn more about your individual circumstances.
Date: Wednesday 25 June 2025.
Time: 8.30am to 12pm
Location: 41 Mumford Street, Taree NSW
The Dementia-friendly Home: A Video Guide
Dementia Australia has created an online video guide to give you practical tips to make your home safer and more accessible for people living with dementia.
A dementia-friendly home is a place where changes have been made that make it easier for someone with dementia to be safe and enabled.
The video guide is free and easy to use. Each room has hotspots, with each one giving you practical ideas for small, inexpensive improvements you can make.
Watch the The Dementia-Friendly Home Video Guide here.
Seniors Bingo
Join in for an interactive and fun morning with the Seniors Rights Service.
Providing the opportunity for socialisation, learn about your aged care rights, receive valuable information through fun activities and a nice meal together.
Join the team on Tuesday, 9th September at the Coffs Harbour Golf Club, from 10am to 2pm.
If you're interested, you can RSVP to Anni De Kaste or Julia Vize on 0482 180 806. Spots are limited so get in quick!
New Tools to Calculate Aged Care Contributions
New tools are available to help older people, and their families understand what they might need to contribute to their aged care costs.
These tools support people who are:
- entering the Aged Care System
- already receiving services and will transition to the new arrangements from 1 July 2025
- already receiving services and considering switching to the new fee arrangements when the new Aged Care Act starts in November 2025.
To see how much you might pay for services use the Support at Home fee estimator.
Dementia Australia Cafe Connect – Urunga
Cafe Connect is an opportunity for people living with dementia and their family members and carers to enjoy time together with some refreshments, in company of people in a similar situation to themselves.
A dementia support specialist will be present to provide information and support.
Cafe Connect meets once a month at the Anchor’s Wharf Cafe, 6 Bellingen Street Urunga.
For more information or to register to meet please contact Martine Diss on 0419 805 200 or email martine.diss@dementia.org.au
The Careside Online
Caring for a loved one and family member can be both rewarding and challenging, but if carers can recognise the signs of burnout they can also seek out additional support where necessary.
CareSide has developed a self-assessment tool that can help you identify the risk of burnout. The free assessment tool takes just two minutes to complete, and responses are private and not stored.
You can access the assessment tool via the Careside website.
Disaster Recovery Assistance
Support is now available for the 16 Local Government Areas that have been flood-affected in the Hunter and Mid North Coast regions. You are able to access disaster assistance through NSW and Australian Government schemes,
For more information on the support available visit the Flood Recovery Updates website.
Your Community Hub
Run by local services to provide support for those doing it tough in our community.
The hub runs every 2nd and 4th Friday of each month, at the Manning Uniting Church, 29-35 Albert Street, Taree NSW.
There is a free breakfast on offer from 8:30am, along with emergency food, toiletries and clothing at 9.30am.
Orange Sky laundry will be available from 10am to 12pm.
The next community Hub will be on Friday, 13th June 2025.
For more information, contact the Wesley Hub in Taree on (02) 6552 0244
