Alexandra Falls
DESPITE a press release by Shadow Minister for Seniors and Ageing Jenny Mikakos saying funding had been slashed, the Living Longer Living Stronger program will continue as usual in the Mitchell Shire.
The media release from Ms Mikakos’ office said that the Baillieu State Government had cut funding from strength and fitness training programs.
The Shadow Minister claimed the Council of the Ageing Living Longer Living Stronger program, which promotes health and activity in older people, would be a program that would have its budget cut.
Mitchell Community Health and the Kilmore Physiotherapy Centre were also listed as organisations that run the Living Longer Living Stronger program and would be affected by the funding cuts.
However, Council of Aging CEO Sue Henley said that while Living Longer Living Stronger did not receive the additional funding they requested for the program, they still received the standard $70,000 in this year’s budget.
Ms Henley said that because the program also gets funding from the members themselves, who pay $5 to participate in a weekly session, Living Longer Living Stronger could find ways to continue as a self-sustained program should this funding fail.
“We don’t provide financial support to members of Living Longer Living Stronger, we provide them with training days and staff support, while promoting them,” Ms Henley said.
A Kilmore Physiotherapy Centre representative said they contacted the Council of Ageing and were told that there would be no changes aside from a possible decrease in staff training days.
The representative also said that even if the Council of Ageing Support ceased they would be able to continue the program or one like it regardless.
Mitchell Community Health said it had not run the Living Longer Living Stronger program for years and would not be affected by any budget changes.






