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A new chapter for local seniors has begun with the official opening of the Hawkesbury Branch of National Seniors Australia, offering advocacy, information and social connection for older residents across the district.
The newly formed branch will meet at Hawkesbury Central Library in Windsor and aims to provide a strong local voice on issues affecting seniors, while also connecting members with national campaigns and practical support services.
Advocacy and Practical Support
At the launch event, attendees were introduced to a range of initiatives and services available through National Seniors Australia.
Among the key topics discussed were the organisation’s advocacy campaigns, which focus on issues such as cost-of-living pressures, health care access and age discrimination. The branch will support national efforts locally, giving Hawkesbury seniors the opportunity to contribute to policy discussions affecting older Australians.
Members also heard about practical tools including the Concessions Calculator, which helps seniors identify government rebates and concessions they may be eligible for, and the Money Hub, providing financial guidance tailored to retirement and later life planning.
The organisation’s Keep Cash Campaign advocating for the continued availability of cash as a payment option was another point of interest, reflecting concerns among many seniors about the rapid shift to digital-only transactions.
Other member benefits outlined included access to a Financial Information Consultant, updates on deeming rates and their impact on pensions, and savings through the Member Discounts App.
Upcoming Events
The Hawkesbury Branch has already scheduled a series of events at:
Hawkesbury Central Library
Stevens Room
300 George Street
Windsor NSW 2756
All events begin at 10am (arrival from 9:30am) and conclude at 12:30pm. RSVP is essential.
- Thursday, 26 March 2026 – First branch meeting and planning day (all welcome).
- Thursday, 30 April 2026 – Guest speaker Heather Lee OAM, 2019 NSW Australian of the Year.
- Thursday, 28 May 2026 – Presentation by The Apron Project as part of the Awareness Campaign on Violence Impacting Older Women, run by The Apron Project and Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Women’s Shelter. ($5 entry and gold coin donation for morning tea.)
- Thursday, 25 June 2026 – Local historian Joy Shepherd will share forgotten and untold stories from the region’s earliest settlement, including insights from her book The Hawkesbury Development Company Ltd and the impact of the 1961 and 1964 floods.
Organisers say the branch aims to be inclusive, informative and community-focused, providing both social engagement and trusted information in a changing economic and policy landscape.
For more information or to RSVP, email Elizabeth Frias at nationalseniorshawkesbury@gmail.com.
With cost-of-living pressures and policy changes continuing to impact retirees, the Hawkesbury Branch hopes to provide both a supportive local network and a strong collective voice for seniors across the region.
