Happy autumn! I can’t believe summer is over and we are now into autumn. It really seems that the days fly past at a faster rate of knots with every passing year.
As the numbers start to come down and Victoria settles into living with COVID-19, I’m taking heart with the slow return to face-to-face meetings and events. I’ll admit that I was cautious at first – and still am – but I’ve had my third vaccine dose and have my COVID safe routines: I wash my hands, limit myself to smaller events, keep my distance when I can, and I don’t pass a bottle of sanitiser without a quick squirt and a rub! And of course, if I feel tired or achy, or have a scratchy throat, I don’t leave the house without taking a Rapid Antigen Test.
Each of us will have our own ways of keeping ourselves and others safe. However, it’s still important that where it’s possible, we start ‘living with COVID’, including attending in-person social events and getting a spot of exercise. So that’s our theme for this month, with articles on third dose vaccinations, incorporating random acts of exercise into your day and returning safely to exercise with your nearest Living Longer Living Stronger program.
Tuesday March 8 was International Womens Day, and we celebrated with an inaugural event focused on this year’s theme, #breakthebias. We hosted four fabulous speakers who shared their experiences of age and gender discrimination. Their stories were hard to listen to, but listen we must: it’s only by listening and telling stories that we will generate empathy and affect change. COTA Victoria will continue creating programs and resources that arm older Victorians with the motivation and knowledge to break down the gender and age biases.
And finally, before I let you get on with the newsletter, a reminder that we need two new members for our Policy Development Committee. If this is of interest to you, I encourage you to get in touch.
Now grab a cuppa, sit back and enjoy. And remember, you can always invite others to read and subscribe to keep up with all the latest from COTA Victoria.
