The Dubbo branch of the Combined Pensioners and Superannuants Association (CPSA) recently welcomed the chief executive officer for CPSA, Gina Vizza.

If you didn't know, CPSA is a non-profit, non-party-political membership association founded in 1931 which serves pensioners of all ages, superannuants, and low-income retirees.

The organisation, which prides itself on its commitment to advocacy to ensure the voices of older people in NSW are heard loudly and clearly, receives funding from the Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) to be a Peak Agency for Older People in NSW.

Gina indicated that many older people feel they are invisible in the wider community.

“Many of our constituents say they feel as though they are unseen and unheard; that government doesn't think about them when making policy decisions and in fact, some say, 'it feels like government's just waiting for us to die so that the problem goes away',” she said.

“What a terrible reflection on government's commitment to some of our most vulnerable community members,” she added.

“CPSA understands the issues that older people are raising and we have been advocating to government for many years to address these issues.”

The organisation is currently advocating for transparent reporting and affordable access to dental health services; access to consistent community transport and public transport; the retention of banks in regional towns as well as the ability to continue to use cash and cheques.

CPSA is also working closely with sister organisations across NSW to lobby government for the provision of genuine affordable housing and the general improvement in the health and wellbeing of older people across the state.

CPSA also produces a free newspaper called “The Voice” six times a year which can be delivered to an individual's mailbox, or in bulk to a local community group, library or pharmacy.

If you would like to learn more about the CPSA, visit its website at www.cpsa.org.au. Anyone interested in joining the local branch in Dubbo, which meets monthly at the Dubbo RSL, can contact Barb on 0427251121.

Meeting details for the Dubbo CPSA branch can be found in the Dubbo Photo News Community Diary under “Friday.”