AC99 - Newsletter and IYOP Initiatives

	Newsletter and IYOP Initiatives Australian Coalition '99

AC '99 UPDATE - EDITION No. 6 (February 1999)
Governor-General of Australia Welcomes 1999

Government House
Canberra ACT 2600

As Governor General I am very pleased to support the great principles that led the United Nations to declare 1999 as the International Year of Older Persons, and I would urge Australians of all ages to help us celebrate, value and encourage the achievements of older people in our society.

We live in a world where people generally are living longer than they used to do. As the international logo symbolises, the process of ageing is a constant one- evolving,progressing, moving outwards into experience- where each generation has a vital part to play in the life, the well-being and continuity of the community.

It is thus in the interests of everyone that the vitality and independenceof older people in mind and spirit and body be sustained for as long as possible; that we acknowledge all theyhave to offer us; and that we offer older people appropriate support. Independence. Participation. Care. Self-fulfilment. Dignity. These are the abiding principles upon which the International Year has been founded. Within Australia there are over 800 organisations and groups working through Australian Coalition 99 to help older Australians enjoy the benefit of them.

I commend the International Year of Older Persons to everyone so that we can truly say, in the words of the United Nations, that we are moving towards an Australian Society for all ages.

Sir William Deane
Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia

Australian Coalition '99 gratefully acknowledges "The Australian" for its support in publishing this letter on 1st January 1999.

Your organisation may wish to reproduce the Governor-General's statement in your own communications: please note that the above statement must bereproduced in its entirety and no alterations can be made. You may also wish to draw on the AC'99 Media Release of 1st January 1999 posted on the AC'99 website.