During NSW Seniors’ Festival, NSW Trustee and Guardian connected with people across the Illawarra through a range of community education events focused on planning ahead.
As part of a broader Seniors’ Festival program across Wollongong and Shellharbour, the Community Education team took part in multiple events designed to support seniors with practical information and advice.
Reaching the community at the Wollongong Multicultural Seniors’ Fiesta
At the Wollongong Multicultural Seniors’ Fiesta, NSW Trustee and Guardian joined a broad range of organisations providing information and support to seniors from diverse cultural backgrounds. Events like this play an important role in creating informal, welcoming spaces where people can ask questions and start conversations about planning ahead.
Our team spoke with attendees about the importance of having key documents in place, including wills, powers of attorney and enduring guardianship appointments, while also listening to the concerns and priorities raised by community members.
The strong level of engagement throughout the day reinforced the value of being present at council‑led and community‑wide events, where seniors can access multiple services in one place and make connections at their own pace.
“This was our third year attending Seniors Week in Wollongong, and it was great to again connect with locals about planning ahead. The positive feedback showed just how valuable these sessions continue to be. We thank all those who attended for their kind comments on how much they appreciated the presentation and all they learned.” Maria, Community Education Officer
Smaller conversations at Thirroul Library
The Estate Planning for Seniors presentation at Thirroul library provided a more intimate setting, allowing for deeper discussion and tailored questions. Delivered as part of the library’s Seniors’ Festival program, the session covered the fundamentals of estate planning, common mistakes to avoid and the role of different planning documents.
Attendees welcomed the opportunity to learn more in a focused environment. One participant shared:
“I learnt a lot about the advanced care directive - that was very interesting.” - Expo attendee
Another reflected on the depth of information covered, and the reassurance of knowing support was available beyond the session:
“I listened intently, but I know I can make a phone call to fill in the information I may have missed.” - Expo attendee
Partnering to add value for the community
Partnering with other service providers was an important feature of the Thirroul session. Working alongside organisations such as Hearing Australia helped ensure the information shared was accessible and responsive to attendee’s needs.
These partnerships recognise that planning for the future often intersects with health, wellbeing and lifestyle considerations, and that bringing services together can make community sessions more practical and valuable.
“Partnering with organisations like NSW Trustee and Guardian is so important to make sure seniors clearly understand what they’re entitled to, particularly pension and DVA card holders. I really enjoyed being part of both sessions and was pleased to see attendees take the next step by booking hearing assessments after the talks.” - Tania Aleckson, Hearing Australia
A flexible approach to community education
Whether through large‑scale community festivals or smaller local presentations, NSW Trustee and Guardian’s approach to community education is grounded in flexibility and collaboration. By working alongside councils, libraries and other service providers, we aim to create opportunities for meaningful engagement and practical learning.
This approach mirrors the success of our Taking Charge of Your Tomorrow expos, which have shown the value of bringing services together while maintaining a strong local presence. Across all formats, the goal remains the same: to help seniors feel informed, supported and confident to make decisions about their future.
NSW Trustee and Guardian remains committed to delivering education that is accessible, relevant and shaped by the needs of the people we serve.