Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander communities

Seniors Rights Service works hard to build trust and good relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities across NSW.

Improving our reach and encouraging often-marginalised groups to access Seniors Rights Service is vital, and our five regional services, each with a dedicated advocacy/education officer, are all in areas with large Indigenous populations – Mid-North Coast (based in Port Macquarie); Far North Coast (based in Lismore); South Coast (based in Mollymook); Central West (based in Dubbo); and South West (based in Wagga).

Seniors Rights Service has developed our first Reconciliation Action Plan in partnership with staff and the Indigenous community.

We take part in major events on the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander calendar, such as NAIDOC Week activities across the state. In 2018, these events took us to Riverstone, Penrith, Wellington, Kempsey, Port Macquarie, Dubbo and Ulladulla.

Around NSW, we engage with Indigenous communities through education and information sessions, at interagency meetings with Aboriginal and youth organisations, home care providers and others, and at more informal gatherings, such as with Aboriginal elders’ groups, to hear from them what their concerns are and see how our services can assist.

1,708 Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people attended Senior Rights Service education sessions across NSW, in the year 2017-18.

In 2018-2019, we are working with an Aboriginal consultant to increase older Indigenous people’s awareness of their rights and improve their engagement with Seniors Rights Service and the legal, advocacy and educational assistance we offer. Through research and consultations across NSW, the consultant is mapping out a plan to connect us with key and grassroots organisations and community leaders, and to help guide us into the future.

Seniors Rights Service is a partner in the Good Service Mob, a collaboration of service providers who put Aboriginal communities in touch with various services and runs forums across NSW. Our legal staff are involved with the Community Legal Services NSW Aboriginal Legal Access Program and the Aboriginal Tenancy Advice and Advocacy Service.