Testimonials and excerpts from a range of letters and emails received from Government, seniors organizations and our members
Excerpts from a range of letters and emails received by About My Age
Government of South Australia
...we have explored the About My Age website, its contents and capabilities. I applaud your initiative and innovation in developing this website. It is an excellent forum for people over 50 to discuss issues, make social connections and source information.
Social isolation affects many people in our community, particularly those over 50. As a key topic on my agenda, I am supportive of initiatives that work towards maintaining connections to the community.
The website has the potential to reach many people, and is an excellent source of information.
Hon Jennifer Rankine MP
Minister for Ageing
Department of Planning and Community Development
While most older people are actively involved in their community there are those who through frailty, disability or caring responsibilities are house bound and 'About My Age' will help provide them with companionship and social networks, as well as information to enable them to access the services they need.
Best wishes for the continued growth and success of 'About My Age'.
Barbara Mountjouris
Director - Office of Senior Victorians
www.seniors.vic.gov.au
Minister for Health South Australia
I applaud your attempt at providing an online service for the over 50s community.
John Hill
Minister for Health
Minister Desley Boyle MP
Congratulations on developing www.aboutmyage.com The website is both interesting and informative.
I commend your efforts in putting this website together and thank you for keeping the Minister informed about your organisation initiatives.
Gerard Carlyon
Senior Policy Advisor
www.ministerial.qld.gov.au
Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Seniors and Youth
It is well recognised at various levels of government and throughout academia that low social participation can adversely affect the health and wellbeing of older people. Social isolation is also recognised as a risk factor for suicide. New technologies can play an important role in helping older people maintain community connections and therefore contribute to their social inclusion in society.
Lindy Nelson-Carr MP
Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Seniors and Youth
www.communities.qld.gov.au
Department of Health and Ageing
As our population ages and more older people use the internet - as is the current trend - the demand for sites such as yours is likely to increase.
I wish you well in your goal of developing a strong community website.
Melinda Bromley
Assistant Secretary - Office for an Ageing Australia
www.health.gov.au
NRTRS
We run a support service for Social Housing Tenants (Department of Housing, Community Housing, Aboriginal Housing) in the Northern Region of NSW. Many of our clients are over the age of 50 years and many are isolated and financially challenged. We believe that accessing aboutmyage.com could be of great benefit to them.
Dr Wendy LeBlanc
Coordinator: NRTRS Inc.
Parents Without Partners
Congratulations on a great social networking web site.
RoscoF
State President - Parents Without Partners NSW
Some Comments From Members
"I'd like to take this opportunity to tell you how much I am enjoying AMA. I've met some lovely people and if it wasn't for your website that would not have been possible."
"I think the AMA site is great. Using it has meant that not only have I made some great friends but I have expanded my thinking as well. It has coincidentally improved my computer skills along the way."
"I personally think that this site has played and has a major role to play with the older generation in so many ways, not least is the health of older Australians and in other ways not yet realized. I have said and will continue to say just what a wonderful site this is for people of all and for all walks of life."
"Well would you know...today is the first anniversary of me belonging to this great site. Belonging being the chosen word because that's how it feels."
"What a year it has been. I think I have experienced just about every emotion and circumstance during the last 12 months......family problems, investigations (old jobs), new jobs, sadness, hope, joy, frustration, death, birth, changes of circumstances, breakups, helping others, being helped, new online friends, meeting new friends .......and lots of laughter and fun....probably not much different to many others."
"I came on here with the goal of making a new social life for myself which actually happened and honestly, it would have been very hard to have got through the hard bits without the caring, fun and encouragement from a good many of you....you know who you are...and I thank you, my new found friends and extended family."
"I've actually met a good many new people and had lively and caring interaction with many others. Hopefully there will be many more meetings and much more interaction. Now, before I get too mushy, I wish and hope that we can all have a great new year without too many negatives and that we will all still be here for each other."
"Thanks for a wonderful site that is totally Australian. It's about time some Aussies got off their behinds and did something like this. I wish I had the gumption."
"I am enjoying the interaction with the many AMA folks I have conversed with - To those who I have met may I thank you for the hospitality you have shown. At nearly 71 years of age I can say with some confidence I have never had this many "friends" at one time - I have been an interstate traveller for my work and do not normally make friends all that easily so - I am proud of the inroads I have made with AMA."
"The rest of the net is indeed full of strange websites and even stranger language. Blogs, bots, worms, hackers, trackers.... the list goes on. Thank goodness for About My Age. Plain understandable language, easy to use, informative and most importantly, lots of FUN!"
"I would just like to add that this is a fantastic website. I visit it almost every day to catch up on what others are saying on the discussion boards. Beryl, you are doing a great job, and the site will only improve as you are able to add more things. A big thank you."
"God I love this site, precisely because people like you say how they're really feeling in numerous ways."
"It's not an easy peazy task to run a site. Personally i feel the crew need a round of applause. I know of no other site that's local and engaging as such thus far. One traverses the world but am always logging in here. Some great contacts have been made."
"Great web site. I don't comment much, but I like reading everyone's comments, ideas, whinges etc. Some issues take me back, way back. It's great."
"Having had no success with other sites which have been either US based or all accessed only after a fee has been paid, I had to try my luck with you as quickly as possible. Already I feel more at ease with your site because it was accessed without any trouble and within minutes of registering, I had two people asking me to be their friends. Unlike many sites, I am not lost in trying to find how to move around the various topics. Many thanks. I am truly looking forward to more happy hours of communication."
"I can't believe I have found somewhere that people seem to have similar views to my own; this is a real treat not having to hide for once."
"...at last I have found a space where I feel like I belong! I am a young at heart person, but did not feel confident about those other spaces where there are all younger people. Thank you for this website. I am sure I will get a lot of pleasure out of becoming a member."
"How much are we saving the government by standing strong along side our great friends on AMA that we may never meet but feel like we have known them forever.Now there maybe no need to book a psychologists couch 4 times a week -because we care, we listen, support without judgement, and sometimes someone will have a word of advise which pushes us further along the road to health and wellbeing ,as most of us have simularities in our own lives that we have been struggling to come to terms with alone where most people in the real life are too busy or uninterested to notice. Laughter is a magic potion, Debating pumps up adrenalin,confession is soul cleansing and empathy and understanding are a vital source of healing.We all share, all feel and all laugh at nothing at all sometimes. This is a place where we call home- for that is where the heart is."
