Minister for Seniors and Veterans Suzanne Orr today announced the recipients of the 2025-26 Seniors Grant Program, awarding $80,000 to 13 local organisations that support older Canberrans to stay connected, safe and active in their communities.

The program supports innovative community-driven initiatives that promote inclusion, respect and wellbeing, with a strong focus on preventing elder abuse and mistreatment and supporting seniors from diverse backgrounds.

Minister Orr highlighted that these funded projects reflect Canberra's diverse initiatives for older community members, supported with financial backing from the ACT Government.

“These grants support practical, locally driven ideas that help older Canberrans stay connected, informed, active and supported to live well and with dignity,” Minister Orr said.

“This year’s recipients encompass social connection and physical activity, raise awareness of elder abuse and support people from multicultural communities. These initiatives will make a real difference in people’s everyday lives,” she said.

Successful 2025–26 Seniors Grant Program recipients:

• ACT Chinese Women Cultural Association Inc— Stay active, joyful, shine golden age: seminars and workshops on dementia prevention, diet and physical activity.
• Australian Tamil Cultural Society of the ACT Inc— Active and Connected Seniors Program: activities including exercise, arts, outings and skills workshops.
• Canberra Muslim Community Inc.— Connected & Healthy Muslim Seniors Program: weekly sessions on connection, digital literacy and wellbeing.
• Capital Region Community Services Ltd— Growing Together Community Garden: creating a shared garden space for older Canberrans.
• Celebration of African Australians Inc— Elder Abuse and Mistreatment Awareness Drumming: a four-week drumming circle workshop to raise awareness of abuse and mistreatment of older African Australian people.
• Community Home Australia Pty Ltd— Creative Connections: an intergenerational art program pairing seniors living with dementia with local primary school students.
• Deaf Advocacy Sports and Recreation ACT Inc— Deaf Seniors Dance and Exercise Program: weekly classes leading to community performances.
• Environmental Collective Housing Organisation Inc— Conversation sessions with older tenants about future housing needs.
• GOPIO Canberra Inc— Happy and Healthy Senior Citizens: information sessions and social gatherings promoting inclusion.
• Indian Australian Multicultural Sports Association— Active Ageing Through Sport and Wellbeing: a low-impact sport and movement sessions with social activities.
• MARSS Australia Inc— CALD Elder Abuse Awareness Project: multilingual information sessions on wellbeing and elder abuse.
• Woden Senior Citizens Club Inc— Six lunch and learn winter information sessions with shared meals on topics including driving, aged care and planning ahead.
• YWCA Canberra — YWCA CARES: a year-long program of workshops, group outings and resilience-building activities.

Quotes attributable to Charles Koker, Director, Celebration of African Australians:

“This Seniors Drumming Circle Workshop creates a safe and welcoming space for older people to connect, express themselves, and raise awareness about elder abuse, mistreatment, and supported decision-making through culture, rhythm, and community participation. The program will help reduce social isolation, strengthen wellbeing, encourage respectful conversations, and empower seniors to know their rights and available supports. Funding for this initiative enables our organisation to provide accessible, culturally inclusive workshops that bring seniors together while promoting dignity, safety, respect, and community connection across the ACT.” 

Quotes attributable to Sonia Di Mezza, Chief Executive Officer, Migrant and Refugee Settlement Services (MARSS) Australia:

The MARSS CALD Elder Abuse Awareness Project will provide an opportunity for people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds living in the ACT, to understand what elder abuse is, and what supports are available to those who need it. The sessions will be provided to our communities in languages that they can understand. The human rights of older people are important, and that is why funding for this project is vital.

Quotes attributable to Julie Monro-Allison, CEO, Environmental Collective Housing Organisation (ECHO):
"ECHO is a community housing provider. At present around 40% of our adult tenants are over 60 years old, and over the next ten years that figure will increase to almost 70%. The premise of our project is very simple: to gather tenants together, share a cup of coffee and maybe even a sweet treat, and to talk openly about what people need, want and are concerned about in relation to their housing as they age. These conversations will help to shape the direction of our program and enable us to direct attention to where it will make meaningful difference to tenants as they age."

Quotes attributable to Dr Kawser Jamil, President, Canberra Muslim Community:
“The Connected & Healthy Muslim Seniors Program will support older members of our community to stay socially connected, active, and engaged, improving their overall wellbeing. The program will help reduce isolation while promoting healthy lifestyles through culturally appropriate activities and support. This funding enables us to expand our reach and deliver meaningful services that strengthen community connections and enhance quality of life for Muslim seniors.”

Quotes attributable to Sanjay Sharma, Director, Indian Australian Multicultural Sports Association:

“We are very thankful to receive support through the 2025–26 Seniors Grant Program for our ‘Active Ageing Through Sport and Wellbeing’ project. This funding will help IAMSA continue bringing seniors from multicultural communities together through sport, wellbeing activities and social connection. It means a lot to our organisation and community, and we thank the ACT Government for supporting inclusive and healthy community programs.”

-Statement ends-