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Ask Izzy to search over 450,000 support services. Ask Izzy is powered by Infoxchange, a not-for-profit social enterprise that has been delivering technology for social justice for over 30 years.
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Western Queensland PHN, in partnership with the Australian Government and key agencies, has launched the Central West Queensland (CWQ) Service Provider Directories. These directories cover:
- Barcaldine
- Barcoo
- Blackall Tambo
- Boulia
- Diamantina
- Longreach
- Winton
The localised directories aim to make it easier for residents, carers, and service providers to access and connect with local healthcare, aged care, disability, and veterans’ services. They include both in-person and outreach services tailored to the specific needs of each community.
This initiative is part of a national trial, with Western Queensland PHN as one of six trial sites. It supports local communities to identifying their care needs, design sustainable solutions, and tailor services to better meet demand
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The Directory of Community Education Providers previously called the Guest Speakers List, is a resource provided by UnitingCare Seniors Enquiry Line. It aims to connect those looking for guest speakers or organisations to host information sessions or present to their seniors/community groups.
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Search the Ending Loneliness Together directory to find connection opportunities locally. Search by topic, suburb or postcode. Add your own service to the Directory.
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This Queensland Government web page provides links to a wide range of general community groups, children's playgroups, groups for young people, LGBTIQA+ groups, Seniors groups and Multicultural groups. It also includes links to other community directories and events:
Find a community group | Community support | Queensland Government
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Search the My Community Directory to find community services and events in your local community.
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The Queensland Multicultural Resource Directory lists organisations that offer information, advice, support and networking opportunities.
The Seniors Social Isolation Provider Network Community of Practice (SSI-CoP) brings together Queensland Government-funded Seniors Social Isolation services from across the state to connect, share knowledge, and strengthen services for all communities, including First Nations peoples and Elders, people from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds, LGBTIQA+, gender-diverse communities, those with intersecting identities and those living in regional, rural and remote communities.
Meetings are held bi-monthly via Zoom on the third Wednesday of the month from 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm and are recorded,
All meetings are coordinated and facilitated by Karen Wilson, Executive Officer, Seniors Social Isolation Peak Services Program, and begin with an Acknowledgement of Country. The themes align with COTA Queensland's 2026 Social Media Planner, creating exciting opportunities to showcase your services through our social media and quarterly newsletter.
Meetings combine peer learning, best-practice sharing, and practical capability-building, drawing on the expertise and lived experience of participants to enhance the impact of your service. Providers are encouraged to bring their expertise, cultural knowledge, and lived experience to explore opportunities for co-facilitating, presenting, and sharing practices with the network.
All recordings, brief notes and related documents will be shared on this Hub to support reflection, discussion, and collaboration. Between meetings, the Hub provides a space for ongoing resource sharing, conversation, and collaboration, helping the network stay connected and continue learning.
For more information see: Draft Terms of Reference
If you would like to be a Guest Speaker or share a Good News Story, reach out to: karen.wilson@cotaqld.org.au
Below is a schedule for the Community of Practice (CoP) meetings for 2026.
- COP1 - 18/2/26 - Digital Confidence and Access
- COP2 - 15/4/26 - Health, Care and Dignity
- COP3 - 17/6/26 - Safety, Rights and Respect
- COP4 - 19/8/26 - Housing and Homelessness
- COP5 - 21/10/26 - Ageing Well and Celebration
- COP6 - 16/12/26 - Reflection, Gratitude and Care
The Agenda will be circulated at least one week prior to the meeting.
All documents are available as PDFs📄 All recordings are on YouTube▶️
To view and download PDF documents you'll need the latest version of Adobe Acrobat Reader installed.
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|
No. |
Date |
Time |
Topic & Key Speakers |
Downloads |
|
1 |
19/3/25 |
2-3pm |
Social Isolation Best Practice Guide
|
|
|
2 |
21/5/25 |
2-3pm |
Health and Wellbeing in Later Life
|
|
|
3 |
16/7/25 |
2-3pm |
Supporting Health Ageing: Everyday tools to help Mob and Community Connections
|
|
|
4 |
17/9/25 |
2-3pm |
Connecting Across the SSI-Network
|
|
|
5 |
19/11/25 |
2-3pm |
Showcasing Programs & Activities
|
|
|
6 |
Monday |
9.00am – 10am |
Connection Opportunities: 60 & Better Programs
|
|
All documents are available as PDFs📄 All recordings are on YouTube▶️
To view and download PDF documents you'll need the latest version of Adobe Acrobat Reader installed.
Heads up: All links will open in a pop-up window so you can explore without losing your place 🌐
|
No. |
Date |
Time |
Topic & Key Speakers |
Downloads |
|
1 |
Wed |
10.00am - 11.30am |
Active and Health Ageing Professor Nancy Pachana (UQ) - Car Free Me Program Mahnoosh Hassankhani & Dr Renee Zahnow (UQ) - PhD Research on Green Spaces, Social Connection and Healthy Ageing |
Discover funding opportunities to strengthen your programs and services.
Visit Grants - QCOSS for a list of regularly updated national, state, and local grants, including initiatives that support diverse and inclusive communities.
See also:
- Australian Goverment GrantConnect
- Queensland Government Grants Funder
- Queensland Seniors Month - Grants
- Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR)
- Indigenous Councils Funding Program 2025-26 | Local Government, Water and Volunteers
Across Queensland, many councils offer grants that help older people stay socially active and connected. Click the Local Council Grants tab below to explore links to their funding pages.
Find local council funding to support programs that connect and engage older people.
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Far North Queensland
- Cairns Regional Council
- Cassowary Coast Regional Council
- Cook Shire Council
- Douglas Shire Council
- Hinchinbrook Shire Council
- Mapoon Aboriginal Shire Council
- Mareeba Shire Council
- Northern Peninsula Area Regional Council
- Tablelands Regional Council
- Torres Strait Island Regional Council
- Yarrabah Aboriginal Shire Council
North Queensland
- Burdekin Shire Council
- Charters Towers Regional Council
- Flinders Shire Council
- Mackay Regional Council
- Shire of Etheridge
- Townsville City Council
- Whitsunday Regional Council
Central Queensland
- Banana Shire Council
- Barcaldine Regional Council
- Longreach Regional Council
- Livingstone Shire Council
- Rockhampton Regional Council
- Winton Shire Council
South West Queensland
- Balonne Shire Council
- Blackall-Tambo Regional Council
- Goondiwindi Regional Council
- Ipswich City Council
- Lockyer Valley Regional Council
- Murweh Shire Council
- Maranoa Regional Council
- Paroo Shire Council
- Scenic Rim Regional Council
- Somerset Regional Council
- South Burnett Regional Council
- Southern Downs Regional Council
- Toowoomba Regional Council
- Western Downs Regional Council
North Coast
- Bundaberg Regional Council
- Flinders Shire Council
- Fraser Coast Regional Council
- North Burnett Regional Council
- Noosa Shire Council
- Sunshine Coast Regional Council
Brisbane & Moreton Bay
South East Queensland
The Resource Library offers programs, tools, and guides to help service providers across Queenslnd deliver initiatives that promote healthy lifestyles, reduce social isolation, and strengthen links with other agencies and the community. Organised by category, it includes resources for diverse populations, including First Nations peoples, CALD communities, carers, older men, people with disability, and LGBTIQA+ older adults, and supports providers in referring clients to activities and services that enhance personal and community connectedness, improve wellbeing, and reduce the risk of depression and suicide.
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Focus: Initiatives that promote active, healthy and connected ageing by supporting prevention, wellbeing, independence, social participation and timely access to services for older adults.
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Age-Friendly Communities & Policy
- Age-Friendly Queensland - Resources
- Ageing myths - Seniors | Queensland Government
- Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) - Let's Talk Ageing Series
- Discrimination - Seniors | Queensland Government
Ageism Awareness, Advocacy & Positive Ageing Campaigns
- Age Positive Image Library - Age without limits
- Celebrate Ageing - #OldisBeautiful
- Celebrate Ageing - TheBiscuitTinProject
- EveryAGECounts - Advocacy campaign aimed at tackling ageism against older Australians
- EveryAGECounts - Your Stories
Nature-Based Initiatives
- Cycling without Age Australia - not for profit charity
- Heart Foundation Walking
- Outdoors Queensland - Peak body, information hub and go to place for all things outdoors Queensland
- Parkrun Australia - free community event where you can walk, jog, run, volunteer or spectate
Healthy Ageing Initiatives
- LiveUp - Discover Your Path to Healthy Ageing | Expert Tips and Guides
- LiveUp - Resources and Health Tools for Healthy Ageing
- LiveUp - Social Activities database
Preventative Health & Chronic Disease Support
- Brighton Wellness Hub - space for community in 4017 to access services, activities and information that support health ageing
- My Health for Life - free Support for Your Health
- QCWA Country Kitchens - health promotion program supporting Queensland communities to adopt healthier lifestyle behaviours
- Wellness my Way - free entry point for health and wellbeing support in South West Queensland
Reablement & Maintaining Independence
Focus: Resources for carers of older adults, including advocacy, wellbeing and referral support. Primarily for unpaid carers (parents, grandparents, First Nations and CALD communities), with some workforce links for paid carers (e.g., workforce resources).
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Carer Support & Guidance
- Arafmi Queensland - Carer Support
- Carers Queensland - Peak body representing unpaid carers in Queensland
- Wellways Carer Gateway - National support service providing free, local services and supports for unpaid carers,
Culturally Tailored & Targetted Support
- Carers Queensland - First Nations carer supports and resources
- Carers Queensland - Is embracing disability in CALD communities / Blog by ECCQ Ethnic Communities Council of Queensland
Recognition & Awareness
- Carers Queensland - Carer Stories
- Grandparents Day - Department of Families, Seniors, Disability Services and Child Safety
- National Carers Week (October) - to recognise, celebrate and raise awareness
- Time for Grandparents - Information and support for Grandparents raising grandchildren in Queensland
Workforce Support
Focus: Resources, guidance and referral sources to support older adults with diverse needs, including culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities, First Nations peoples, older men, and LGBTIQA+ older adults. This section also covers inclusive practice and intersectionality to ensure equitable access to services and support for all populations.
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Culturally & Lingustically Diverse (CALD) Communities
- Ethnic Communities Council of Queensland (ECCQ) - Resource Library
- LiveUp - Resources in different languages
- Queensland Government - Queensland Multicultural Resource Directory
- Wellways - Engaging communities resources
- World Wellness Group - Multicultural Seniors Wellbeing Groups
First Nations Communities
- 2Spirits - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporation
- Arthritis Australia - Staying Moving Staying Strong (SMSS)
- Iyarn - A tool to deepen the connection with yourself and your peers
- LiveUp - First Nations resources
- National Wellbeing Alliance - Strengthening wellbeing in First Nations communities
- Reconciliation Australia - Community Truth-telling Pathways
- Services Australia - Indigenous Service Officers - Community groups
- State Library of Queensland - Aboriginal & Islander Cultures and Stories
- Wellmob - Healing our Way
- Yarns Heal - Inclusive Suicide Prevention & Mental Health Support for Aboriginal & LGBTIQ+ Communities
Inclusive Practice & Intersectionality
- Dementia Australia - LGBTI People and Dementia - LGBTIQ+ Health Australia
- Forward with Dementia - LGBTIQ+ and dementia
- Home Care Workforce Support Program (HCWSP) Queensland - LGBTIQ+ Resources
- Queensland Council for LGBTI Health (QC) - LGBTI Seniors Visiting Service
- Queensland Positive People (QPP) - Aged Care Navigation
- Queensland Positive People (QPP) - Better Connect+
- Queensland Positive People (QPP) - Social Connection for People Living with HIV
- Queensland Positive People (QPP) - Videos & Resource
Focus: Programs and initiatives that help build digital skills, promote online safety, and provide accessible technology support, enabling older adults to stay connected, confident, and secure in the digital world
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Assistive & Accessible Technology
Digital Skills & Online Learning
- Be Connected - Free online learning
- Good Things Foundation - Closing the digital divide
- Inclusee Ltd - A Vibrant Virtual Community
Online Safety & Security
- Cyber security - Community support | Queensland Government
- eSafety Seniors - Online safety, advice and support for older Queenslanders
- Have I Been Pwned - Check if your email address has been exposed in a data breach
- IDCARE - Identity theft and cyber support
- Justice Connect - Online banking safety resource
- Scamwatch - Know when to stop and check and stay safe from scams
- Scamwatch - The Little Book of Scams
Focus: This section provides a list of referral points, services and resources to help providers support older adults with disability.
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Advocacy & Rights
- ADA Australia - Aged and Disability Advocates
- Advocacy supports - People with disability - Queensland Government
- AMPARO Advocacy – for vulnerable people from non-English speaking backgrounds
- Carers Queensland - for carers of people with disability
Communication & Accessibility
- Better Hearing Australia - independent answers to all your hearing loss questions
- CICADA Queensland - support for people with hearing loss
- Deaf Connect - for deaf, deafblind and hard of hearing Australians
- Guide Dogs Queensland - supporting Queenslanders to live life to the fullest
- LifeTec Australia - to support your goals with the right assistive technology
- National Relay Service (NRS) - for people who are deaf or find it hard to hear or speak to hearing people on the phone
- Vision Australia - blindness and low vision services
Education, Therapy & Specialist Services
- Able Australia – Together we are able
- Autism Queensland - education, therapy and support services
- Synapse - Australia's brain injury organisation
Networks, Peak Bodies & Service Coordination
- CheckUP - creating healthier communities and reducing health inequities
- Mental Health Lived Experience Peak Queensland (MHLEPQ) - peak body for mental health consumers in Queensland
- Mob 4 Mob - A voice for our Mob with disability
- National Disability Services (NDS)
- Outback Independent Living - supporting people with disability in Outback Queensland to belong and thrive
- Queenslanders With Disability Network (QND) - Nothing about us, without us
Note! Some organisations offer support across multiple areas; each is listed under its main focus for clarity, but many provide services that span categories.
Focus: Resources and guidance to support the physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing of older adults
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Advocacy & Sector Representation
- Health Consumers Queensland - State peak organisation representing the involement of health consumers and carers in healthcare
- Queensland Alliance for Mental Health - A united voice for the community mental health and wellbeing sector
Crisis & Mental Health Support
- Beyond Blue - 24/7 Support for Anxiety, Depression and Suicide Prevention
- 13YARN - 24 /7 Crisis support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders
- 1300 MH CALL - Mental health access line | Health | Queensland Government
- How to get help with your mental health - Queensland Government
- Lifeline - National charity offering 24/7 crisis support and suicide prevention services
- MensLine Australia - free, professional 24/7 telephone counselling for men
- QLife - Anonymous and Free LGBTIQA+ Support and Referrals
- Suicide Call Back Service - free nationwide service providing 24/7 phone and online counselling
Mental Health & Wellbeing Information
- Dear Mind - Your Mental Wellbeing
- Smiling Mind - Mental Fitness Toolkit
- Health and Wellbeing Queensland - Making Healthy Happen
Service Navigation & Referral Support
- Brisbane North PHN - My Mental Health Service Navigation
- Queensland Health - Public health and wellbeing
- Seniors Enquiry Line - linking seniors with community information
Social Prescribing
- ASPIRE - Australian Social Prescribing Institute of Research and Education
- Social Prescribing Initatives in Queensland
- Social Prescribing Programs Near You - ASPIRE Interactive Map
- Social Prescribing Pilot Program launches across 10 Neighbourhood Centres
- What is Social Prescribing and How We Can Help
- What is Social Prescribing - Footprints Community
Focus: Resources for service providers to support and refer older Queenslanders and Elders to services addressing housing, homelessness, and safe, stable living options, including innovative initiatives such as co-housing, shared living arrangements, and tailored programs for vulnerable older adults
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Advocacy, Policy & Information
- ARQRV - Association of Residents of Queensland Retirement Villages
- Poverty in Brisbane: 2025 Factsheet
- Q Shelter - Because home matters
- Shelter - Inclusive Language Guide
Government Services
Housing Models & Initiatives
- Better Together Housing (Sunshine Coast)
- GrandSchools - Australian Institute for Intergenerational Practice
- Intergenerational Pride Housing: Reducing Loneliness and Housing Insecurity Across LGBTI+ Generations | NARI Ltd (Webinar)
- Sharing with Friends: Affordable Co-Housing for Vulnerable Older Women
Non-Profit and Community Services
- Footprints Community - Housing Older Women's Support Service (HOWSS)
- Supported Accommodation Providers Association (SAPA)
- The Forgotten Women - Help Her Home - Wynnum, Brisbane
Focus: Resources and programs to support older men’s mental health, social connection, and community connection, including peer groups, mentoring, and practical activities that reduce isolation and promote wellbeing
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Mental Health & Counselling
Peer Support & Social Groups
- Circle Of Men - Someone to turn to since 1990
- Friends for Good Article - Brotherhood Beyond Borders
- Mankind Project Australia - Men’s Groups
- Mens Wellbeing Inc - A Community of Men Supporting Men
- Older Men Unlimited (OMU) in Maryborough and Hervey Bay
- Queensland Men's Shed Association
- The Men's Table - Healthy Men, Healthy Masculinities
- The Older Men's Network (TOMNET) - supporting men 50+ to improve their mental health and wellbeing
Focus: This section include practical tools, spaces, and connections to support collaboration, community engagement, and access to local networks and venues
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Interagency Networks
- Brisbane Central Interagency Network
- Gladstone Interagency Network
- Lockyer Valley Seniors Network
Venues & Event Spaces
- Accessible Events Guide - Queensland Government
- Queensland Multicultural Centre - Brisbane
- Queensland Museum Tropics - Townsville
- Longreach Civic & Cultural Centre - Longreach
Other Resources & Opportunities
- coming soon...
Focus: Resources and guidance to support referral and service navigation for older adults, including domestic and elder abuse, meals and nutrition, safety and legal, specialist health and advocacy services, and transport and mobility options
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Domestic & Family Violence
- Micah Projects - Brisbane Northside Safety Card - Domestic and Family Violence
- DV Connect - support for those affected by domestic, family, or sexual violence or personal crime
- Women’s Legal Service Queensland
- 1800RESPECT
Elder Abuse
Meals & Nutrition
Safety & Legal Matters
- Caxton Legal Centre - Seniors Legal and Support Service
- Legal Aid Queensland
- Services Australia - Elder safety
Service Navigation
- Aged Care Navigation - Queensland Council for LGBTI Health (QC)
- Aged Care Navigation - Queensland Positive People (QPP)
- Brisbane North PHN - Your Care Navigator | Support for Healthy Ageing
- Care Finder - ADA Link Care Finder Service with Community Connectors
- My Aged Care - Help from a Care Finder
- My Aged Care - Helping you navigate aged care, every step of the way
- Services Australia - Aged Care Specialist Officers (ACSO's)
- Services Australia - Indigenous Service Officers (ISO's)
Specialist Services & Supports (Health, Care & Advocacy)
- Autism Queensland - Services for Adults
- Autism Awareness Australia - Senior years and autism
- Cancer Council Queensland | Navigating Cancer Together
- Dementia Australia
- Diabetes Australia | Support for people living with diabetes
- Grief and Bereavement Service | Queensland Health
- Heart Foundation - Heart health for every Australian by 2050
- Neurodiversity: the hidden condition - National Seniors Australia
- Palliative Care Queensland
- Synapse | Australia's Brain Injury Organisation
Transport & Mobility
Focus: Initiatives that strengthen social connection and community participation by promoting inclusion, wellbeing, active engagement, and access to local support and resources
Heads up: All links will open in a new window so you can explore the resources without losing your place 🌐
- Band of Brothers Qld Inc - Cancel Loneliness Campaign (Moreton Bay)
- Cancel Loneliness Guides - Band of Brothers
- Chatty Cafe Scheme Australia
- Cuppa PLUS - Logan & the Scenic Rim
- Ending Loneliness Together - Resources
- Ending Loneliness Together - Stories and Videos (Loneliness)
- Find a community group - Community support | Queensland Government
- Friends For Good - Australian Loneliness Pioneer
- FriendLine - A Friends for Good Service
- Global Initative on Loneliness and Connection (GILC)
- LiveUp - Find Local Social Activities to Stay Active and Connected
- Neighbourhood Centres Queensland - Resource Library
- Neighbours Every Day - Resources for 2026
- Spark - Igniting Human Connection | The Hut Community Centre
- Staying Connected in Your Community | Queensland Government-funded seniors social isolation services
- The Benevolent Society
Structured training, workshops and courses are offered to build the skills, knowledge and capability of providers, including opportunities delivered by external organisations. Learning is also available through a mix of formats, including online self-paced modules, webinars, and podcasts, providing flexible options to suit different learning needs.
Free training for providers supporting older people, offering practical tools, sector insights, and guidance to deliver inclusive, person-centred services that reduce social isolation and promote wellbeing
Dementia, Cognitive Health and Brain Injury
- Concussion in Older Adults - Short Course - Connectivity
- Dementia Awareness Program - Anglicare Southern Queensland
- Understanding Dementia - The Wicking Dementia Centre
Mental Health, Suicide Prevention and Lived Experience
- Social Isolation and Loneliness Micro-credential - DFSDSCS
- Lived-Living Experience Orientation Training - Queensland Mental Health Commission
- Suicide Prevention for Older People - Anglicare
Palliative Care, Death, Grief and Caregiving
Practice Tools, Systems & How-to Support
- P2i's Training & Help Centre (with step-by-step guides, online training and tutorial videos)
Safeguarding, Rights and Mistreatment Prevention
- SaferSeniors - online training to prevent the mistreatment of older people in communities
If you are aware of other free training opportunities, please email the details to: karen.wilson@cotaqld.org.au
Focus: On online, self-paced learning, including pre-recorded webinars and podcasts.
Heads up: All links will open in a pop-up window so you can explore the recordings without losing your place 🌐
Pre-recorded webinars
- Dementia Australia - Hold the Moment Podcast: Where to from here?
- Elder Abuse Action Australia - Lunch & Learn
- Let's Talk Ageing | Australian Human Rights Commission
- Loneliness and Social Isolation - COTA NSW
- Older Persons Advoacy Network OPAN) - Webinars and videos
Pre-recorded Podcasts
- Elder Abuse Action Australia - Podcasts
- Some New Aged Care Knowledge (SNACK)
- Choice and Control- meaningful inclusion of people with disasbility
- Volunteering Queensland - My Queensland Volunteer Story
Focus: Recordings and reflections from sessions we've organised or attended to share key learnings. Explore webinars, podcasts, and discussion highlights designed to support peer learning, provide practical insights, and help you apply best practices in your work.
All documents are available as PDFs📄 All recordings are on YouTube▶️ or Vimeo 🎥 Some links open in a new webpage 🔗
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|
Date |
Hosted by |
Topic |
Resources and Recordings |
|
22/10/25 |
COTA Queensland & Bureau of Meterology |
Know Your Weather, Know Your Risks |
|
|
2/7/25 |
Partnerships for Local Action and Community Empowerment (PLACE) |
Community Roadshow and Listening Tour Insights 2025 |
|
| 11/7/25 | Ending Loneliness Together - National Alliance |
Why Loneliness and Social Connection Matters: Insights from the World Health Organisation |
Focus: This section captures recordings, highlights, and reflections from conferences and events we’ve organised or attended. It’s a space to revisit key learnings, explore practical insights, and share knowledge with peers across the sector.
All documents within this section are available as PDFs📄 To view and download PDF documents you'll need the latest version of Adobe Acrobat Reader installed.
Heads up: All links will open in a pop-up window so you can explore the resources without losing your place 🌐
All documents are available as PDFs📄 To view and download PDF documents you'll need the latest version of Adobe Acrobat Reader installed.
Heads up: All links will open in a pop-up window so you can explore the resources without losing your place 🌐
Council on the Ageing (COTA) Queensland, in partnership with ADA Australia and the Queensland Public Advocate, delivered a three-part Age Well Stay Connected series in Brisbane, Townsville and Longreach (March–October 2025). The events brought together community members and sector stakeholders to share stories, showcase initiatives, and explore practical ways to support older Queenslanders to stay socially connected.
Each event featured a Welcome from a First Nations Elder, music to create a welcoming and relaxed vibe, a keynote on social isolation and ageism, and interactive World Café conversations. Key themes included breaking down barriers, empowering older people, improving access to information, collaborating across sectors, and valuing lived experience. Outcomes included stronger networks, practical ideas for action, and lessons to guide ongoing work.
For a full summary of the event series — including participant numbers and reach, thematic analysis, outcomes, outputs, highlights and challenges, lessons learned, recommendations, and an implementation schedule — download the Event Series Summary report (pdf, 267kb)
Individual event reports, featuring World Cafes insights and visual storytelling, are provided below.
Age Well Stay Connected — Brisbane (31 Mar 2025)
Download the Summary Report (PDF, 1.1MB).
World Cafe Insights by Topic
- Carers and Social Connections (PDF, 136KB)
- Diverse Voices: Promoting Inclusivity, Connection and Belonging (PDF, 154KB)
- Empowering Older Women Through Connection (PDF, 136KB)
- Fostering Connections through Online Platforms (PDF, 142KB)
- Libraries as Hubs for Social Connection (PDF, 134KB)
- Older Men, Wellbeing and Social Connection (PDF, 136KB)
See also: Emerging themes from the question, "What does social connection look like to you?" (PDF, 131KB)
Age Well Stay Connected — Townsville (3 Sept 2025)
- Download the Summary Report (PDF, 4.9MB)
World Cafe Insights by Topic
- Age-Inclusive Communities: Strengths and Opportunities (PDF, 92KB)
- Building New Connections and Friendships (PDF, 141KB)
- Digital Connections and Healthy Ageing (PDF, 134KB)
- Inclusive Communities: Belonging for Everyone (PDF, 135KB)
- Supporting Older Men to Stay Connected (PDF, 131KB)
- Supporting Safe, Connected and Independent Living (PDF, 143KB)
See also: Digital Graphical Recordings capturing key insights from the day visually (PDF, 4.7MB). Created by Rachel Apelt from Artbalm.
Age Well Stay Connected Longreach (10 October 2025)
- Download the Summary Report (PDF, 5MB).
World Cafe Insights by Topic
- Building Connections and Friendships: In Person and Online (PDF, 180KB)
- Building Inclusive Communities: Collaboration and Partnerships (PDF, 169KB)
- Thriving at Home and In the Community (PDF, 175KB)
- Supporting Older Men to Stay Connected (PDF, 137KB)
Hosted by Ending Loneliness Together, Australia’s National Loneliness Conference 2025 was held at the Park Hyatt Melbourne on 6–7 November, bringing together leading experts in research, policy, practice, and lived experience to address loneliness. Over two days, participants explored cutting-edge research, practical interventions, and innovative solutions across home, work, online, and community settings, from grassroots programs to policy reform and emerging technologies, gaining insights into what’s working, what’s next, and how to make a real difference in reducing loneliness.
Keynote speakers
- Professor Julianne Holt-Lundstad, PhD
- Sophie Scott OAM
- Vedran Drakulic OAM
- Ged Kearney MP
For more information visit: Ending Loneliness Together
Conference Notes
Karen attended the Conference and her notes will be upload here soon.
LAW 2025 (6-10 August) — Theme: Moments Matter
Loneliness Awareness Week Australia is coordinated by Ending Loneliness Together, established to shine a spotlight on loneliness, support community understanding, and promote meaningful connection across the country. It brings together partners, community groups and individuals to raise awareness and encourage action to reduce loneliness each year.
On 7 August 2025 we delivered a Lunch & Learn focused on the topic: The Heart of the Community: Older Volunteers and Everyday Connectors. Guest speakers included:
- Celsie Mead, Volunteer Champion, COTA Queensland
- Chris Gemmill, Founding Member, Blokes Book Club, City of Moreton Bay (Redcliffe Library)
- Kristie McKean, Community Project Officer, Volunteering Queensland.
Download: Agenda 📄 | Minutes 📄 | VQ Slides 📄| Recording ▶️
See also: Ending Loneliness Together Resources to better understand loneliness and social isolation, and learn how you can create opportunities for meaningful social connection.
Friends for Good hosted the third National Conference in the The Australian Loneliness Dialogue series in 2022.
The conference was held on 17 May 2022 via online stream. The event explored the impacts of loneliness for different age groups, specific cohorts and intersectionality- how loneliness impacts people at the intersection of marginalised groups. The keynote speaker at the event was Cormac Russell who presented from Dublin. One of the key themes that emerged throughout the conference was that with loneliness and overall wellbeing, we need diverse and personalised approaches. Cormac Russell told the conference that we must focus on the assets that communities have:
"If our senses can become sharper there is a hidden treasure chest in our neighbourhoods. What is needed is to shift the conversation from what’s wrong to what’s strong".
Stephanie Power, Council on the Ageing (COTA) Queensland also presented at the event.
Key insights from the event were captured through graphic harvesting by professional graphic recorder, illustrator and visual facilitator, Martin Ackerly (Sketchbook) and can be viewed here: The Australian Loneliness Dialogue 2022 | Friends For Good
