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10 minutes with… COTA SA chief executive Miranda Starke

Business Insight sat down with COTA SA chief executive Miranda Starke to talk about how the not-for-profit makes a difference in the lives of older South Australians.

Sep 30, 2024, updated Sep 30, 2024
Miranda Starke is chief executive of COTA SA. Image: supplied.

Miranda Starke is chief executive of COTA SA. Image: supplied.

Why did you want to work for COTA SA?

I joined COTA SA in 2019, originally to head up their consumer engagement and research consultancy, social enterprise, The Plug-in.

Ageing is something that impacts every part of life, from social inclusion and health to economics, housing, transport, employment and technology.

I was drawn to the opportunity to be part of some really big conversations across such a diverse range of topics, to be able to work with interesting people, and ultimately, to help generate insights and advocate for improvements to make the ageing experience better for South Australians. It’s what I still love most about working here.

In 50 words or less, tell me the mission of COTA SA.

Council on the Ageing is the peak body for 700,000 South Australians aged 50+ and we exist to advance the rights, interests and futures of South Australians as we age.

We see ageism as the biggest barrier to ageing well so we’re on a mission to fight it.

How does COTA SA put this mission into action?

We are in constant conversation with older South Australians to listen and understand their experiences and what matters most to them.

Then we translate this into policy and advocacy to government and other decision-makers, and we deliver programs and services to support South Australians to age well.

How does COTA SA’s mission align with your values?

At COTA SA we’re particularly focused on how to level out disadvantage, inequity and vulnerability, all of which can compound as we get older.

This aligns strongly with my sense of social justice and what’s fair. I believe that those of us who can, should proactively support and lift up others who might otherwise be left behind, including by calling for changes to our systems and culture so that everyone feels included.

What are some of the biggest challenges facing older Australians?

Right now, older people are telling us that cost of living, housing and access to health and aged care services are top of their list.

South Australia is also one of the only states that doesn’t offer free ambulance cover for those on an Age Pension. We need to keep up with the rest of the country and provide this service to older South Australians, so it eases the pressures that come with accessing health care.

Over the past year, we have also been looking in depth at the experiences of older women when it comes to domestic, family and sexual violence and elder abuse and we’re now feeding those insights in to assist with prevention strategies.

How does COTA SA help older Australians overcome these challenges?

Through our advocacy, we amplify the voices of older people and make sure they’re heard by decision-makers for example, successfully advocating for free public transport for seniors and increased cost of living concessions for renters.

SA is the most expensive state to live in if you’re an aged pensioner and you need an ambulance, and we don’t think that’s right. We’ll continue to fight for paramedic services to be free as they are in other states because we don’t want anyone to avoid calling for help in an emergency because they can’t afford the bill.

What is the most rewarding part about working at COTA SA?

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It feels good to make a difference in people’s lives.

Apart from the impact of our policy and advocacy, through our programs, we work one-on-one with older people to help them navigate the very complex aged care system and get the support they need.

Our Strength for Life program helps 5000 older people stay fit, strong and prevent falls and frailty every week.

Our COTA Visitors programs mean that 100 isolated and lonely older people now have a friend who visits regularly, which improves their well-being.

There is a lot we do that makes me really proud.

What are some of the biggest challenges for COTA SA?

Like any not-for-profit, our aspirations are often bigger than our resources. Because of the enormous scope of age-related concerns, there are so many projects, issues, and initiatives we know would benefit from our involvement, but we just can’t do it all.

We’re lucky to have the support of over 100 volunteers to get the work done and from our COTA Supporter organisations and funding bodies such as the Office for Ageing Well.

Being clear about our purpose, values and priorities helps us stay focused and work strategically and sustainably.

Tell me about the upcoming forum on the UN’s International Day of the Older Persons.

Our annual IDOP event celebrates the many positives that can come with age and this year we’re focusing on the importance of meaningful connections as an essential part of living well, at any age.

At a time when younger and older generations are often pitted against each other in the media and in public discourse, we want to strengthen social connections across generations for everyone’s benefit.

We’re excited to have ABC RN’s Geraldine Doogue delivering the keynote address and a diverse panel of speakers to reflect on their experiences building connections across ages, as individuals and in their communities.

Outside of your work at COTA SA, what do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

The arts are a big part of my life and as the Chair of the Adelaide Festival Centre Foundation, I spend a lot of time at the theatre helping to raise funds and provide philanthropic support for the Adelaide Festival Centre, which I love.

I’m also a runner and particularly enjoy my weekend runs with a fabulous group of girlfriends. Together we dissect a week’s worth of personal dramas, plan holidays, and share tips on media, movies, books and restaurants and come out of a 10km run feeling restored. It’s the power of meaningful connections!

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