Seniors, Wellness and Social Development
January 29, 2015
Providing a Strong Voice for Seniors
New Appointees Strengthen Advisory Council on Aging and Seniors
The Honourable Clyde Jackman, Minister of Seniors, Wellness and Social Development, today announced the appointment of three new members, and the re-appointment of six others, to the Provincial Advisory Council on Aging and Seniors. The 13-member council advocates on behalf of senior citizens province-wide, and is one means by which seniors have strong input into the development of government programs and policies.
"The council advocates on behalf of seniors from throughout the province. The members advise on issues facing older citizens and identify opportunities for government to develop and adapt programs and policies which promote independent, active, healthy aging. The council also advises on the appropriate supports required to allow our seniors to remain in their homes, and in their communities, for as long as possible - and that they are always provided with the respect and dignity they deserve."
- The Honourable Clyde Jackman, Minister of Seniors, Wellness and Social Development
The new appointments to the council are Shirley Boone of Mount Pearl, Winston Childs of Pasadena, and Maisie Clark of Campbellton. Re-appointments to the council are Leo Bonnell of Clarenville (Chair), Cecilia Hickey of Grand Falls-Windsor, Joan Hutchings of Mobile, Damien Collier of Goulds, Maggie Chambers of Flower's Cove, and Shirley Letto of L'Anse au Clair. They join the remainder of the council's current members, Patricia Burton of Paradise, Linda Oldford of Gander, Wayde Rowsell of St. Lawrence, and Josephine Waddleton of Trepassey. Biographical information is included in the backgrounder below.
The Provincial Advisory Council on Aging and Seniors was established in 2005 to assist government in preparing for an aging population by ensuring that the perspective of seniors is reflected in policy development and in planning for future service delivery. The council consists of a diverse cross-section of seniors and other individuals who are familiar with seniors' issues.
"I welcome the new members to council and look forward to the broad expertise and perspectives they will bring. For the past 10 years, the Provincial Advisory Council on Aging and Seniors has been a strong voice, speaking on behalf of seniors and providing information and advice on many policies and programs which have benefitted our older population."
- Leo Bonnell, Chair, Provincial Advisory Council on Aging and Seniors
The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador launched the Provincial Healthy Aging Policy Framework in 2007. The priorities outlined in the policy are: recognition of older persons, celebrating diversity, supportive communities, financial well-being, health and well-being, and employment, education and research. The Department of Seniors, Wellness and Social Development was established in September 2014 to further focus on issues around an aging population and the challenges and opportunities that brings.
For more information on the Provincial Advisory Council on Aging and Seniors, visit: www.swsd.gov.nl.ca/seniors/provincialadvisory.html.
- 30 -
Media contacts:
|
Heather May
Director of Communications Department of Seniors, Wellness and Social Development 709-729-0928, 697-5061 heathermay@gov.nl.ca |
Leo Bonnell
Chair Provincial Advisory Council on Aging and Seniors 709-466-2933 lcbonnell@nf.sympatico.ca |
BACKGROUNDER
Provincial Advisory Council on Aging and Seniors
New Members
Shirley Boone, Mount Pearl
Shirley Boone's lengthy history of volunteerism and charitable work includes Ronald McDonald House, Candlelighters, Heart and Stroke Foundation, Kidney Foundation and more than 25 years with the Children's Wish Foundation. Ms. Boone served as a director with the Mount Pearl Seniors Independence Group and has been the chairperson since 2010. In 2009, Ms. Boone was named Volunteer of the Year by the Newfoundland and Labrador Administrators of Volunteer Resources. In 2012, she was named Mount Pearl's Citizen of the Year.
Winston Childs, Pasadena
Winston Childs was born in Lark Harbour and currently resides in Pasadena. Mr. Childs served with the Canadian Armed Forces and after retirement he moved back to Lark Harbour. He was very involved in a number of community activities including co-authoring One Hundred Years or More, describing the first 100 years of St. James Church. He has been active in the Royal Canadian Legion, the Canadian Association of Veterans in UN Peacekeeping, and the National Association of Federal Retirees. Mr. Child's volunteer activities have primarily focused on issues impacting seniors.
Maisie Clark, Campbellton
Maisie Clark was born in Port Blandford and currently resides in Campbellton. Ms. Clark taught school in Newfoundland and Labrador and Northern Manitoba. Because her husband served with the Canadian Air Force, she has lived in a number of communities across Canada, the United States and Europe, where she was active with volunteer organizations and local governments. She has been very involved with Girl Guides of Canada, the Lewisporte and Area Chamber of Commerce, and the Lewisporte Area Economic Development Committee. Ms. Clark has served as the mayor of CFB Gypsonville, Manitoba, and has been the mayor of Campbellton since 2001. In 2013, she was named one of Newfoundland and Labrador's Seniors of Distinction.
Returning Members
Leo Bonnell, Clarenville (Chair)
Leo Bonnell is a retired bank manager and community leader who resides in Clarenville. He has been active in local community affairs throughout the province and has held leadership positions with his church board, the chamber of commerce, bankers' association, Lions Club International, Rotary International, and other organizations. He is currently chair of the Provincial Advisory Council on Aging and Seniors; vice-chair of the Random Age-Friendly Communities Board, and is an advisory member for the Public Health Agency of Canada's Pan-Canadian Age-Friendly Communities Reference Group.
Cecilia Hickey, Grand Falls-Windsor
Cecilia Hickey is a former oncology nurse and an active volunteer who lives in Grand Falls-Windsor. She has 25 years of experience in the health care system in the central region of the province. As a volunteer, she has provided leadership to many organizations and committees working in a variety of areas, including lifelong learning, cervical cancer screening, palliative care and nutrition. Ms. Hickey currently serves on the board of the Exploits Valley 50+ Club and on the committee to make Grand Falls-Windsor an increasingly age-friendly community.
Joan Hutchings, Mobile
Joan Hutchings currently lives in Mobile and is a member of the O'Connor 50+ Club and secretary-treasurer of the Bay Bulls-Bauline Crime Prevention Unit. As a member of the Crime Prevention Unit, she deals with seniors and their issues on a regular basis. Ms. Hutchings feels that because Newfoundland and Labrador has a large percentage of seniors citizens, the province needs to pay very close attention to issues such as health, home care, social issues and transportation, especially in rural areas.
Damien Collier, Goulds
Damien Collier, who currently resides in the Goulds, has been involved in the education field for 29 years, first as a teacher and then as a coordinator and program specialist at the school board level. His educational accomplishments include two Bachelor of Arts degrees (one is a specialization in Education), a Bachelor of Science and a Masters degree in Education. He has also been involved in a small business for a number of years. Mr. Collier has been an executive member of the Friends of Goulds Library for more than 25 years.
Maggie Chambers, Flower's Cove
Maggie Chambers, a community leader and educator, lives in Flower's Cove. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree with specialization in primary education, from Memorial University of Newfoundland and worked as a primary and elementary teacher for 30 years, during which time she also led many extra-curricular activities for students. She was the Co-Chair of NORTIP, a Community Business Development Corporation; President of the Flower's Cove Lioness Club; a councillor with the Town of Flowers Cove; a Eucharistic Minister for St. Barnabas Anglican Church; treasurer of the Straits Development Association; and a member of the Straits - St. Barbe Chamber of Commerce.
Shirley Letto, L'Anse au Clair
Shirley Yvonne Letto was born and raised on Capstan Island, in Labrador, and currently resides in L'Anse au Clair. During the 1960s, Ms. Letto became a teacher and taught in Mary's Harbour and L'anse au Loup. She then became self-employed in the tourism industry and currently owns and operates a hotel in L' Anse au Clair with her husband and two sons. Ms. Letto volunteers in many activities in and around her community, some of which involve promoting the area as a tourist destination. From 2005 to 2008, Ms. Letto held a Board of Governors appointment with the College of the North Atlantic, representing Labrador. Ms. Letto is currently involved with the local seniors club.
Current Members
Patricia Burton, Paradise
Patricia Burton retired after more than 32 years with Canada Post Corporation, 22 of those years as the Postmaster of Paradise. Ms. Burton is Chair of the Killick Trefoil Guild, an elected member of Girl Guides Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Council, as well as an elected member of the executive council. She chairs the Holy Family Pastoral Council and Regional Pastoral Council for St. John's/South Region. Ms. Burton is a member of Adventure 50+ Paradise, coordinator for Born of the Spirit Program with Holy Family Parish, and a member of the fundraising committee for Holy Family Parish.
Linda Oldford, Gander
Linda Oldford spent 35 years in a career with the Federal Government (Service Canada). During that time she was a union activist and held many positions, including three terms as the Public Service Alliance of Canada's Director for Women. Ms. Oldford is 1st vice-president of the Newfoundland and Labrador 50+ Federation and chairs the 50+ Club in Burnside, the Recreation and Wellness Committee and the Crime Prevention Committee. She is the 50+ Representative on the Central Wellness Board, as well as a member of the Burnside Community Association and the Anglican Church Women. Ms. Oldford has a keen interest and involvement in Aboriginal culture and is a member of the St. John's Native Friendship Centre.
Wayde Rowsell, St. Lawrence
Wayde Rowsell began his volunteer service as a board member with the Newfoundland Association of Public Employees, while employed as a Laboratory Technologist with the U.S. Memorial Hospital. In 1985 Mr. Rowsell was elected to the St. Lawrence Town Council and re-elected an additional six times, serving five terms as mayor. He is a founding member of the St. Lawrence Heritage Society and served on the boards of the Heritage Run Tourism Association and Greater Lamaline Area Development Association. Mr. Rowsell's many activities include involvement in health care, economic development, workplace health and safety, heritage and sports.
Josephine Waddleton, Trepassey
Josephine Waddleton is president of the Trepassey 50+ Friendship Club, voting delegate with the Newfoundland and Labrador 50+ Federation, a Peer Support Volunteer, a member of the Provincial Advisory Committee for Caregivers Out of Isolation Newfoundland and Labrador and a member of the Lions Club. Ms. Waddleton is a proponent of good health through exercise. She is active in her church choir; is a reader, Eucharistic Minister, and chair of the Parish Council. In 2005 she was named Trepassey's Citizen of the Year and Individual of the Year by the Irish Loop Development Board for 2007-2008. Ms. Waddleton received the Dorothy Whittick Memorial Award from the Seniors Resource Centre in 2006 and in 2013 was a recipient ofHer Majesty Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal.
2015 01 29 10:10 a.m.