Over a quarter of residents living in the Wingecarribee Shire are 60 years old or greater. These residents are an integral and essential part of our community and it should be recognised that enjoying a valued role as well as a meaningful life in our community as we grow older is something that everyone should be able to aspire to.
Wingecarribee Shire Council encourages active ageing and recognises and celebrates the many benefits that the ageing population contributes to the community.
Council also recognises that an ageing population presents a range of challenges that need to be addressed. Council has developed the Positive Ageing Strategy to address these challenges and to get people thinking about the future they see for themselves. The strategy looks at how Council can maximise the positive aspects of ageing and the opportunities to promote independence, healthy ageing and increase participation in community life.
A wide range of services and local groups are available in our area to help people maintain their independence and remain active and involved as they get older.
You can download the Wingecarribee Seniors Directory 2022(PDF, 4MB) here or pick up a hard copy from Council’s Moss Vale, Bowral and Mittagong Libraries or the Customer Service area located on the ground floor of the Moss Vale Civic Centre.
The Seniors Directory is a free publication delivered across the Shire and the number one source of local information about our local community, business, organisations and groups. The directory has been created for community members aged over 60, who represent more than over 30 per cent of our Shire's total population.
Being listed in the directory is free but Council has the right to include or exclude your submission or to modify the information you supply to ensure consistency between directory listings.
Contact us to update or submit an entry for Council’s 2024 directory.
Note: Links to other websites are provided for convenience and do not constitute endorsement of material at those sites, or any associated organisation, product or service.
The 2023 Seniors Festival theme is “Celebrate Together” and is being held from Wednesday 1 February to Sunday 12 February 2023. Wingecarribee Shire Council has developed a program of events that are either free or entry via gold coin donation.
Our Seniors Festival Events Calendar provides links to information about each event and the 2023 Seniors Festival Program(PDF, 1MB) is also available for download.
Please contact our Community Development Officer on 02 4868 0888 for more information.
Older people should be able to move safely and easily around the area, utilise accessible local facilities and spaces and feel valued and safe in their homes and community. Please see our Community Safety page for more information.
In consultation with older people and the wider community Council developed the Wingecarribee Positive Ageing Strategy 2016-2026.
The Strategy sets out Council’s approach to supporting older people to live happy, healthy, independent lives and remain connected to the community as they age.
The Mobility Parking Scheme (MPS) provides parking concessions to people living with mobility disabilities.
Accessible parking spaces are provided for people living with disabilities who require extra space to exit or enter their vehicles or require close proximity to certain places due to mobility problems.
Parking concessions can be provided to people with mobility disabilities. Roads and Maritime Services issues a licence-style card that includes your photo and other security features to protect the integrity of the scheme.
To park in accessible parking bays you must hold a mobility permit. Read more at our Accessibility & Disability page.
Community Transport
Southern Highlands Community Transport provide a range of subsidised transport services to eligible residents. Services include door to door shopping trips, transport to medical appointments including to out of area locations, hospital and nursing home visits and organised social outings. A number of their vehicles are wheelchair accessible and fitted with a hoist.
Southern Highlands Community Transport is funded under the Home and Community Care Program and the Community Transport Program to provide transport to:
- People who are at risk of premature or inappropriate institutionalisation
- People who are vulnerable or at risk
- People from culturally distinct communities
- Transport isolated people (no access to public transport)
- Financially disadvantaged people
- Eligible transport beneficiaries- veterans
For more information or to see whether you are eligible for the service, please contact Southern Highlands Community Transport on
02 4872 3722 or visit their website at www.shct.com.au.
Public Transport
Bus
Berrima Buslines provides extensive bus services throughout the Southern Highlands.
For more information on timetables, fares and concessions contact Berrima Buslines:
Telephone: 4871 3211
Email: info@berrimabuslines.com.au
Website: www.buslinesgroup.com.au/berrima
Train
Intercity Trains
For information and timetables on the Southern Highlands Line https://transportnsw.info/routes/details/intercity-trains/shl/76SHL
NSW TrainLink
For information and timetables on the Southern Line regional trains and coaches visit https://transportnsw.info/regional-southern-line
Regional Seniors Travel Card
A regional seniors travel card, is available through the NSW Government, providing eligible seniors in regional, rural and remote areas with a pre-paid $250 card. You can use the travel card at certain retailers across Australia to pay for fuel, taxis and pre-booked NSW Trainlink Regional trains and coaches.
The travel card is valid for 14 months from the date of issue. The expiry date is available on the front of the card.
The regional seniors travel card program is available for a 2-year trial period (2020-2021). Eligible seniors can apply for a card in 2020 and for another card in the second year of the program (2021).
If you are an age pensioner with a valid Pensioner Concession Card or you hold a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card, you can apply through Service NSW over the phone on 13 77 88, in person at your nearest Service NSW outlet or online at:
www.service.nsw.gov.au/transaction/apply-regional-seniors-travel-card
When you reach 75 years of age your driver license conditions will change. If you hold a Class C license (car license) the following conditions will apply to you based on your age:
75 - 84 years old
Once you reach 75 years of age you will need to have a medical review every year to keep your license. The RMS will send you a medical review form before your 75th birthday for your doctor to complete and provide to the RMS.
85 years and older
When you reach 85 years of age you will continue to require a medical review every year, however you will have the choice of keeping your unrestricted license or changing to a modified license. If you choose to retain your unrestricted license you will need to successfully pass a practical driving assessment every second year.
If you hold any other type of license (e.g. class LR or R) you will need to check with the RMS as to what conditions apply for older drivers wishing to keep that class of license.
Unrestricted License
If you are 85 years or older with a Class C license and wish to keep your unrestricted license, you will need to pass a practical driving test. You can take your test with a RMS testing officer or go through a private driving school with an accredited Older Driver Assessor. Before you do your driving test you may find it useful to have a refresher driving lesson with a driving school to make sure you are prepared. If you fail your driving test you can choose to change to a modified license instead.
Modified License
If you choose to take a modified license you do not need to attempt a practical driving assessment. A modified license allows you to keep driving under certain conditions. These conditions are added to your license and printed on the back of the card and you must comply with these conditions when driving. Examples of conditions include only driving within a certain distance from your home or only driving in the daytime. You should discuss your options with your doctor who can help work out what might be the best situation for you.
For more information on safe driving for older people please contact Roads and Maritime Services on 13 22 13 or visit their website at www.rms.nsw.gov.au or visit Transport for NSW's On the Road 65Plus at www.roadsafety.transport.nsw.gov.au.
The local NSW service centre is located in Mittagong.
Accessibility
Public and Accessible Toilet Locations
Master Locksmiths Access Key (MLAK)
Older people are encouraged to maintain a healthy lifestyle and retain their independence, supported by access to local services and a range of accommodation options and community facilities and spaces that reflect their needs.
Staying Independent - External Resources
RSPCA Community Aged Care Program
My Aged Care Website
Stepping On and Healthy and Active for Life (HAL) Online, is a free program delivered by South West Sydney Local Health District to the community
The HAL Online program is a free 10 week program delivered online for older adults aged 60 years or over, or 45 years or over for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders. Program commences 4 October. For more information and to register please see flyer(PDF, 277KB).
Wingecarribee Shire Council 2018 Community Resilience Innovation Program (CRIP) – Grant Project ‘Building Resilience in Seniors to Extreme Weather’.
Wingecarribee Shire Council in 2018 were the recipients of a Community Innovation Program Grant funded by the NSW and Commonwealth through the National Partnership Agreement on Natural Disaster Resilience. Our specific project was to create a workshop guide and collateral materials aimed at building resilience to extreme weather in Seniors.
The documents presented below are the result of 12 months research, collaboration and working with Seniors to understand better how to successfully engage and work with seniors to build individual preparedness and community resilience.
Seniors, as traditional historians and community networkers can be a vital link and tremendous resource to building an awareness of the importance of being prepared and looking out for each other.
The materials here are offered freely for use by other Local Government and Community Service organisations who are seeking to:
- Build the capacity of seniors to be more resilient and self-reliant in the face of extreme weather events through planning and personal preparedness, and
- Improve their own understanding of the common preparedness needs of seniors
The guide outlines a practical approach to engaging seniors on being prepared for extreme weather through discussion that recognises seniors own limitations and leverages their capabilities and strengths.
The Workshop Presentation can be modified to your own specific local hazards and needs and a running commentary for the slides and workshop can be found in the guide.
Resources
Building Resilience in Seniors to Extreme Weather - Workshop Guide(PDF, 1013KB)
Building Resilience in Seniors to Extreme Weather - Literature Review(PDF, 543KB)
Building Resilience in Seniors to Extreme Weather - Workshop Presentation(PDF, 3MB)
Older people enjoy a wide range of opportunities to maintain wellbeing and participate in the local community and economy through access to events, activities, volunteering and employment opportunities.
Please note the below are all external links:
U3A
TAFE NSW
Robertson CTC
Wingecarribee Public Library
Older people have easy access to information that assists them to make choices, stay connected to the community and participate in local decision making.
Southern Highlands Aged Care Concierge
Wingecarribee Shire Council and Macarthur Disability Services (MDS) have partnered with Meals on Wheels to develop the Southern Highlands Aged Care Concierge, to personally assist people to navigate through the My Aged Care system. This trial project will mean there is a staff member available for one on one meetings, based on site at Meals on Wheels, at the Moss Vale Community Centre, located in Queen Street.
Southern Highlands Aged Care Concierge(PDF, 4MB)
Staying Active and Healthy at Home
Practical tips and information for older adults to stay active, healthy, and connected at home:
Staying Active and Healthy at Home Brochure(PDF, 2MB)
Staying Active and Healthy at Home Flyer(PDF, 575KB)
Healthy and Active for Life Online - Free Program for Older Adults
The Health Promotion Service is offering SWS residents the chance to take part in the Healthy and Active for Life Online (HALO) program.
The HALO program is a free 10 week program, delivered online for adults aged 60 years or over living in NSW. It includes:
- Access to 2 online home exercise programs for 12 months
- An exercise manual and log to stay on track
- Phone support from our trained phone coaches
- Access to 10 weekly online learning modules focused on healthy eating and lifestyle
Healthy and Active Seniors Contact Details(PDF, 4MB)