Physically distant, socially connected

To mark the the International Day of Older Persons, Age-friendly North East Victoria and Upper Hume Primary Care Partnership held an online conversation, ‘Physically distant, socially connected’, on 30 September 2021. Participants with a professional and/or personal interest in this topic joined us from across North East Victoria and wider Victoria for this important conversation. This year’s international theme, “Digital Equity for All Ages”, emphasised access and meaningful participation in the digital world by older people. In this conversation we explored how, in a COVID-shaped world, older people are fostering social connection online and in the real world. Our host Dr Kathleen Brasher and various guests explored the motivations, successes and challenges in connecting online and maintaining real-world relationships. We were delighted to have Dr Jane Barratt, Secretary General of The International Federation on Ageing, provide the opening remarks. This was followed by a conversation with local panellists including Coral Love, a Mudgegonga resident with experience working with communities across Australia; Rod Farr, President of U3A Albury Wodonga; and Jenny Steer, volunteer at the Wangaratta Digital Hub.