PICAC NT - Partners in Culturally Appropriate Care Northern Territory

05/05/2026

See page 10 for our article, "When information speaks your language" focusing on new languages for our contract checklist (now in 64 languages) and a link to upcoming webinar about language services

SENIORS VOICE | Keeping it reel: May 2026 - Read it now
🆓 Online today and distributing around the Territory from Wednesday 6 May 👇
https://www.cotant.org.au/nt-seniors-voice/
🗣️ First up: Celebrating real Territorians, community & joyful living
🗣️ News round up: Age positive photography, aged care reform webinars, aged care reform and Federal commitment, VAD news including new report, advocacy for the NT and warnings about opposition tactics, heat health risks, Seniors Month calendar registrations open, concession reminders
🗣️ Aged care: Free aged care access consultations, volunteering for social support
🗣️ Letters: Jacana discounts, estate distribution, issue with home support services
🗣️ Health: Free RSV vaccines, The Great Dunny Hunt, walking groups
🗣️ Comment: Geriatric ambulance service for the NT?
🗣️ Lifestyle: Step into volunteering, diary dates, ultimate class combo, Master Games
🗣️ Well-being: Aqua for seniors, Ed’s notes on healthy ageing
🗣️ Finance: Smart ways to save money, which card can you get?
🗣️ Community: The heart of COTA, Expo registration
🙏Acknowledgements
Seniors Voice is published by COTA NT. Its print and digital production is reliant on the support of our Sponsors and Advertisers. They enable us to have an independent voice and focus on the rights, well-being and inclusion of senior Territorians.
We thank you for your support as readers, sponsors and advertisers.
Deckchair Cinema, Greenfields Living, Territory Funerals, People, Sport and Culture, Victims of Crime NT, Ageing with Grace, Heart Foundation Walking, Volunteering NT,
PREFER PRINT? Pick up your paper copy from these outlets
https://www.cotant.org.au/nt-seniors-voice/distribution/

30/03/2026

Apply for a grant to support Seniors Month activities across the Territory

Applications are now open for one-off grants of up to $2,000 to assist community organisations and businesses to hold an event or activity for older people during Seniors Month in August 2026.

The Seniors Month Grant Round is an opportunity for organisations and businesses to apply for up to $2,000 funding to support events or activities for seniors during the month-long celebration in August.

Seniors Month encourages older people to get physically active, learn or try something new, and celebrate the contribution they make in the community, including with their families, workplaces and intergenerationally.

Applications close at midnight on Friday 17 April 2026.
Find out more and apply at https://shorturl.at/WW52t

COTA NT

25/03/2026

Today we celebrate two meaningful occasions in the Greek and Orthodox Christian tradition 🇬🇷✨

Greek Independence Day and the Feast of the Annunciation.

A day that brings together history, faith and identity. It honours the courage and resilience of the Greek people 💙, while also marking a significant moment in the Orthodox Christian calendar ✝️, when the Archangel Gabriel announced to the Virgin Mary that she would bear the Son of God.

To our Greek community and all those celebrating, we send our warmest wishes. May this day be filled with pride, reflection and connection with family, culture and tradition 🤍

Χρόνια πολλά! 🇬🇷

Melaleuca Australia Endless Possibilities NT Greek Community NT - GOCNA COTA NT

16/03/2026

16/03/2026

COTA NT Media release: Updated translated checklists help seniors and providers navigate home care contracts
** Now available in 64 languages to support older people, families and carers to better understand their rights and responsibilities when entering into agreements for government subsidised home care services.
* The translated checklists are free to download and share and can be used by aged care providers, multicultural organisations and community groups supporting older people.
* If needed, free translations in other languages can be arranged.
Free to download 👇🏾
https://www.cotant.org.au/picac/aged-care-contract-checklist/
Read the full lmedia release 👇🏾
https://www.cotant.org.au/news/updated-translated-checklists-help-seniors-and-providers-navigate-home-care-contracts/

10/03/2026

⚠️ BOIL WATER ALERT - DARWIN AND PALMERSTON

A boil water alert is issued for Greater Darwin and Palmerston and surrounding areas due to the flooding of Darwin River Dam.

Use cooled boiled water or bottled water for:
• Drinking
• Preparing food
• Preparing baby formula
• Brushing teeth

Residents are urged to conserve the water supply for the above uses only.

NT Health will lift the boil water alert after Power and Water confirms the water supply system is fully operational and the water is safe to drink.

See the factsheet here:https://health.nt.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0011/1597844/nt-health-safety-advice-boil-water-alert-fact-sheet.pdf or visit https://vist.ly/4ucja for the latest emergency information.

Power and Water SecureNT

03/03/2026

Hola Mohalla is a significant festival celebrated primarily by the Sikh community, particularly in Anandpur Sahib in Punjab, India. This vibrant event typically occurs in March, on the second day of the lunar month of Chet, following the Hindu festival of Holi. The festival was established by Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Sikh Guru, in the late 17th century to provide a platform for Sikhs to showcase their martial skills and foster community spirit.

Celebrations include mock battles, showcasing skills in swordsmanship, archery, and wrestling, and an array of cultural performances such as poetry and dance.

Wishing our Sikh friends a happy Hola Mohalla!

Source: https://www.sikhnet.com/news/hola-mahalla

03/03/2026

'Magha Puja, also called Sangha Day or Fourfold Assembly Day, is a major holy day observed by most Threravada Buddhists on the first full moon day of the third lunar month, usually sometime in February or March. This year, it will be observed on 3 March.

Magha Puja commemorates a time when 1,250 enlightened monks, disciples of the historical Buddha, spontaneously came together to pay respect to the Buddha. When the monks were assembled, the Buddha delivered a sermon called the Ovada Patimokkha in which he asked the monks to do good, to abstain from bad action, and to purify the mind.

On this day laypeople gather at temples, usually in the morning, bringing with them offerings of food and other items for the monks or nuns. Monastics chant the Ovada-Patimokkha Gatha, which is a summary of the Buddha's teachings. In the evening, often there will be solemn candlelight processions. Monastics and laypeople walk around a shrine or Buddha image or through a temple three times, once for each of the Three Jewels – The Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha.'

Source: https://www.learnreligions.com/magha-puja-449909

03/03/2026

Purim is a joyous Jewish holiday commemorating the salvation of the Jewish people from persecution in ancient Persia. It is celebrated on the 14th day of Adar in the Hebrew calendar, typically falling in late February or early March. This year, Purim begins in the evening on 2 March.

Purim is celebrated with a number of traditions, including: in synagogues, reading aloud The Book of Esther; many people (especially children) dress up in costumes inspired by the story of Purim; friends and families gather for a celebratory feast, and donations are offered to those in need.

Wishing a joyful Purim to all who are celebrating.

Source: https://www.chabad.org/holidays/purim/article_cdo/aid/645309/jewish/What-Is-Purim.htm

03/02/2026

💙 Staying at Home dementia carer program, Darwin (FREE) 💙

There are still vacancies for these 2 day retreats in February:
• Tue 17 Feb and Wed 18 Feb 2026
• Tue 21 Jul and Wed 22 Jul 2026
• Tue 8 Sep and Wed 9 Sep 2026

If you are caring for someone living with dementia, this program offers practical advice, expert support, and a chance to connect with other carers. The person living with dementia also receives tailored respite and meaningful activities.

📞 Dementia Support Australia 1800 699 799
🌐 https://www.dementia.com.au/dementia-carers-page/services/staying-at-home
✉️ [email protected]

Italian Sports & Social Club inc Australia China Friendship Society NT Branch Portuguese & Timorese Social Club Inc-Darwin Greek Community NT - GOCNA Multicultural Council of the NT Vca NT Chapter Melaleuca Australia

Dementia Support Australia's Staying at Home program is a dementia respite and support service for people living with dementia at home, and their carers.

02/02/2026

📰 Seniors Voice is out today.

With recent changes to aged care, this issue shares practical information on what has changed and who can help.

Printed copies will be available from Wednesday at locations across the NT.
👉 https://www.cotant.org.au/nt-seniors-voice/distribution/

Regis Aged Care Multicultural Council of the NT Melaleuca Australia Multicultural Community Services of Central Australia Anglicare NT Australian Regional & Remote Community Services Southern Cross Care SA, NT & VIC Inc TeamHEALTH Carers NT Dementia AustraliaGolden Glow Nursing Life Without Barriers Endless Possibilities NT

SENIORS VOICE | Let’s talk: February 2026 - Read it now
🆓Online today and distributing around the Territory from Wednesday 4 February
https://www.cotant.org.au/nt-seniors-voice/
Included this issue:
➡️ First up: Thank you to NT media and our networks for hearing our voice
➡️ News round up: Aged care reform falls short, Pulse Check reveals retirement blind sport, Katherine centenary plates, VAD legislation delay, cash mandate, new UK entry rules for dual citizens, FebFast, new look Elders council, better dental care for veterans, senior Australians of the year, ageism in healthcare
➡️ Health: Extreme Heat Awareness Day and advice for dealing with extreme heat and heatwave conditions, stay flu vigilant and vaccination information
➡️ Aged care: Getting the right advice, overview of who can help, My Guide and registered a supporter on My Aged Care, plus plain speaking aged care navigators to support and help you
Disability parking across the NT
➡️ Letters: To Lord Mayor of Darwin regarding changes to disability parking permits, delays in receiving aged care provider receipts, how to pay for a funeral, change of policy regarding temporary disconnection fees for household electricity
➡️ Comment: How co-payments and gouging force pensioners out of their homes, how much are seniors worth?
➡️ Digital literacy: Australian Digital Inclusion Index report and NT scores, tell us about your online experience, where to get help, starting points, NT libraries phone numbers, free NBN 1-to-1 connectivity support
➡️ Lifestyle: key dates for 2026, COTA NT’s Expos, in-kind and financial sponsorship
➡️ Well-being: never too late to start fitness training, Ed’s notes on intergenerational glide typing training
➡️ Finance: shop & save using Seniors Card, get money smart
➡️ Travel: New Zealand…finest walking in the world, Top Shot, importance of travel insurance
🙏 Acknowledgements
Seniors Voice is published by COTA NT. Its print and digital production is reliant on the support of our Sponsors and Advertisers. They enable us to have an independent voice and focus on the rights, well-being and inclusion of senior Territorians.
We welcome and thank you for your support as readers, sponsors and advertisers.
Greenfields Living, Territory Funerals, People, Sport and Culture, Victims of Crime NT, LiveUp, COTA Insurance, Go Gentle Australia
PREFER PRINT? Pick up your paper copy from these outlets👇
https://www.cotant.org.au/nt-seniors-voice/distribution/