22 May 2014

Age-friendly Awards recognise businesses and employers

| Canfan
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The YMCA of Canberra and the Hellenic Club of Canberra were announced as the winners of the inaugural ACT Age Friendly Awards last night, as part of a joint initiative of the ACT and Region Chamber of Commerce and the ACT Government.

“I am pleased to announce the YMCA of Canberra as the winners of the Employer category and the Hellenic Club of Canberra as the winner of the Business Awards category,” said Minister for Ageing, Shane Rattenbury.

The awards were presented by the Minister for Ageing at the ACT and Region Chamber of Commerce and Industry Annual Dinner last night.

“Our society is continually improving the way it recognises the needs of older people in the community and these awards focus on two important aspects of this – older people as consumers of goods and services and older people as employees.

“Employers and businesses have an important role to play in supporting this recognition of older people and I congratulate all those nominated for tonight’s awards.

The awards panel praised the YMCA of Canberra for its work on strategies to attract or retain mature-age workers and noted that it had no compulsory retirement age.

Among the examples was a formerly full-time worker who was supported in continuing in a part-time capacity, while the YMCA’S health and fitness unit has 16 staff aged over 50.

The Hellenic Club of Canberra was awarded for its commitment towards an ‘age-friendly’ business approach including a range of tailored events, building layout to support people with mobility issues and financial contributions to organisations supporting seniors.

The ACT and Region Chamber of Commerce, the ACT Health Services Commissioner, B2B Business Magazine and the ACT Government generously provided sponsorship for the Age-friendly Awards.

(Media Release Shane Rattenbury)

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