The future of the Far West Home and Community Care’s [HACC] Seniors Lounge has been assured with a $90,000 grant from the Coalition Government.
The Member for Parkes, Mark Coulton said Far West HACC is a not-for-profit organisation that has been delivering specialised services to the Broken Hill community for more than 25 years. 
Mr Coulton thanked the Minister for Aged Care and Indigenous Health, the Hon Ken Wyatt AM for recognising the need for the Seniors Lounge and providing the funding.
Mr Coulton said the service offers specialised services for a range of clients, providing continued independence and confidence to assist people to remain in their own homes rather than needing to move into residential care. 
“The Lounge is quite unique and focusses on reducing the impact of social isolation and its consequences for older people,” he said. 
The aim of the Lounge is to facilitate improvement in health, wellbeing and social connection, provide participants with opportunities to contribute their skills, thereby improving the liveability, sustainability and inclusiveness of Broken Hill. 
 “We’re absolutely ecstatic with the decision by the Coalition Government to fund our Seniors Lounge,” Far West Home and Community Care’s Community Transport Manager, Sue Johnstone said.
Ms Johnstone thanked the Member for Parkes, Mark Coulton for his support in the achieving the funding.
She said the Seniors Lounge played a vital role in the Broken Hill community and its future was now secured. 
“We open on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and average between 25 to 30 visitors a day.
“Recently we had two Christmas in July celebrations. We had 60 on the first day and 58 on the second day,” she said.
Mr Coulton and Minister Wyatt visited the Seniors Lounge on Friday.

Caption: Member for Parkes with Far West HACC's Marion Brown and Sue Johnstone and Minister for Aged Care and Indigenous Health Ken Wyatt AM in Broken Hill.