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Pam Schouten
Zone 5 Director
Federation Board Member
Over the past few months, I have attended meetings on Aged Care, After Hours Doctors Services and Political Meetings.
I went to Wellington with the Advocacy Group and had meetings with Politicians, Government Departments, Age Concern, Nurses Organisations, Combined Trade Unions and the Student Union.
I was taken to task about the meetings with the Student Union and the CTU – why was this necessary?
We all have concerns in common.
Cost of living, Youth Unemployment, Children in Poverty, the Green Paper on Children at risk and Student debt.
These are only a few of the concerns that are climbing out of the woodwork.
Grey Power has not over the last few years, been a voice for only the older person.
Most of us have children and grandchildren.
Our senior and university students are in the main, forward thinking, have great ideas, and some have great vision.
These are the people who will have a great say in how New Zealand goes forward over the next 10,20 or 30 years.
Hopefully, some will keep their vision in mind, and achieve it.
Some will go on to do great things in the public sector, quite a few will be taking to the skies and seeking employment overseas, but all will have debt to pay back.
Something our generation did not have.
Youth unemployment between the 17 – 24 year age group is high.
The cost of living over the past year has risen at an alarming rate and more of our children are living lives that are less then equitable.
I have had to learn a great deal over the past year.
The Chairman of the Federation Health Committee died, and I and Jo Millar from Dunedin had to step up.
I have probably made some mistakes, but that goes with the territory.
I make no apologies for the stand Grey Power is taking at the moment, our main concern is the elderly, but our children and grandchildren are of great concern as well.
This is one of the reasons why we are expanding our interests.
May you all have a happy Christmas, may the New Year be kind to you all, take care of each other.