An increasing number of Australians are lucky enough to experience and enjoy the ageing process. The older population is, in general, a healthy, law-abiding and useful group. They contribute significantly to the financial and social wealth of the country by giving their skills and time to volunteering in every area of need, by supporting the arts and education, and by upholding healthy family structures wherever possible.

Fortunately the social and legal rights of older people have been recognised of late in permitting them to hold positions which were, until recent times, forbidden to them, simply because of the myth of age. It is becoming more evident that lifetime skills and abilities are of increasing value to our country. A large number of older people now remain at work, fulltime or part time. Those who choose to do this have learned how to balance work and play, personal interests and social values.

Many older people are more suited to retirement, some to concentrate on interests neglected over their working lives, and others to sharing their golden years with the younger generations of their families. A great proportion of these retirees are evident in the society as active and are of immeasurable value to our complex, multifaceted society. Many of those whose health may require some form of support are capable of offering wisdom and guidance to the younger members of the population, where younger may mean almost any age.

It is to the credit of Radio Adelaide that a study of Ageing is included in their latest lifelong learning initiative. This series will be broadcast nationally. It is well known that a large proportion of Australia’s population of all ages access radio programs daily.

This series has the potential to be of inestimable value to the whole age range of listeners, as ageing takes on its proper meaning in our world and requires better understanding, encouraging each succeeding generation to enjoy their seniority as stable, self-respecting and content citizens.

Marie O’Neill, Ph.D
Psychologist
Senior South Australian of the Year 2003 

Radio Adelaide acknowledges the financial assistance of the Office for the Ageing, South Australian Department of Human Services, through the Grants for Seniors initiative.