NEWS DESK
Fighting the scourge of elder abuse Stephen Taylor steve@baysidenews.com.au A CAMPAIGN launched on World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, Tuesday 15 June, aimed to highlight financial elder abuse which is said to be a common problem on the peninsula. Peninsula Community Legal Centre and Frankston Mornington Peninsula Respecting Seniors Network are behind the campaign
“Inheritance: not an entitlement” which aims to advise and protect those with nowhere to turn. Elder abuse can be defined as: “A single, or repeated act, or lack of appropriate action, occurring within any relationship where there is an expectation of trust which causes harm or distress to an older person.” The legal centre’s Kirsten Young said close to two thirds (62 per cent) of all elder abuse cases involved financial abuse. “The need for public awareness of this issue is more
Spotlight on Frankston history THE Frankston Historical Society has prepared a curriculum package to help local students learn about Frankston’s rich history. Frankston Historical Society president Glenda Viner said the project was a “great initiative”. “It’s important for students to have a deeper understanding of Frankston’s remarkable history,” she said. The educational package is available digitally for local schools. It includes information on Indigenous history and beliefs, European settlement, and milestones in Frankston’s history. McClelland College assistant principal Karin Miller said “to understand the rich and unique story of Frankston and its surrounding areas is an important stepping stone in our students’ journey through the world of history. One must understand the history and context of where they live to better explore and understand the histories of others.” “The ability for our students to seamlessly be able to analyse and evaluate the history of Frankston through the Frankston History Curriculum package has been invaluable. Furthermore, history is about storytelling and the passing down of key learnings and events. The Frankston History Curriculum package allows for our students to continue to pass down the history of Frankston to friends, family and community members,” she said. The project was financially supported by Frankston Council.
urgent than ever,” she said. The campaign’s key objectives were to increase understanding of financial elder abuse and the issue of “inheritance impatience”, and to show that elder abuse is really a form of family violence. The campaign ran seven short film clips which explore the issue of inheritance impatience or entitlement which can lead to financial elder abuse. A lawyer dispels common “myths” about elder abuse and gives advice
to abuse victims, or those trying to help them, on where to get help and advice. The facts are that elder abuse happens most frequently at home by trusted family members; that the most common forms of elder abuse are financial exploitation and emotional abuse, and that powers of attorney can be changed at any time. “Elder abuse and ageism are linked,” Dr Kay Patterson, the Australian Human Rights Commission’s Age Discrimination Commissioner,
who launched the campaign, said. “Ageist attitudes are often used to justify elder abuse, for example, adult daughters and sons who feel they have a right to their parents’ money or assets. “Elder abuse can happen to anyone, and it often happens in secret, but there is help available. “A lack of public awareness about the problem leads to elder abuse becoming an invisible social issue”.
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Charity benefits from pollie sausage sizzle LOCAL politicians will help run the Bunnings sausage sizzle this weekend. Federal MPs Peta Murphy and David Van, state MP Paul Edbrooke, and Frankston mayor Kris Bolam will attend the event. The sausage sizzle will be an opportunity for people to ask questions to the politicians. All proceeds raised from the sausage sizzle will be donated to Community Support Frankston. Cr Bolam said “the event shows how all three levels of government are able to work constructively together in the interests of the Frankston City community. “You can come and have a chat with your local elected representatives from council, state government and federal government over the famous Bunnings sausage sizzle,” he said. The barbecue at Bunnings Frankston, corner McMahons Road and Gertrude Street, Frankston, will run from 9am to 4pm on Saturday 26 June. The politicians will be there from 10am to 12 noon.
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Authorised by the Australian Government, Canberra. Frankston Times
22 June 2021
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