Grandparents’ Day – not just a “thank you”
National Seniors Australia (NSA) is urging all levels of government to not merely acknowledge the significant role of grandparents but to address the legal and financial shortfalls that a growing number of grandparents are facing.
NSA chief executive, Michael O’Neill, said that Queensland had taken a step in the right direction by having the first day set aside to honour Grandparents on Sunday 7 November.
“Grandparents are a national treasure and deserve to be honoured and thanked for their contribution to the community on so many levels,” Mr O’Neill said.
“But the days of grandparents as the elderly couple who handed out sweets and read bedtime stories to the grandchildren are no longer the norm for many.”
An emerging issue in intergenerational relations in Australia is the significant number (14,000 in 2006) of grandparents raising their own grandchildren.
“Legal ambiguities mean that grandparents often have the day to day responsibility for caring for their grandchildren yet lack the authority to make significant decisions on their behalf,” said Mr O’Neill.
NSA is calling for the establishment of respite designed specifically for carer grandparents, a central point for grandparents to readily access information and support, plus measures that will address legal and financial obstacles.
Grandparents’ day in Brisbane begins at 10:30am on Sunday at Southbank Piazza and features showpiece of the games, music and fun through the generations.
