Philip Coles
Cambridge Grey Power’s new president Philip Coles says the town’s growing number of seniors deserve a Grey Power that is re-energised and active in the community.
Philip Coles is the new man at the top of Cambridge Grey Power. Photo: Viv Posselt
Coles, who is also a Waipā District councillor, came in as a mid-term appointee a couple of weeks ago. He joined Cambridge Grey Power last year, and now, at age 58, he reckons he is ready to take on the leadership role to help the group better answer the needs of the town’s seniors.
“Year after year we see the older generation showing a high level of interest in the community,” he said last week. “They make up most of our volunteers, and a higher percentage of seniors engage in the electoral process up and down the country.”
He said following the retirement of the group’s previous president David Wilson, there were concerns that if a replacement wasn’t found, the group might collapse.
“After thinking about it for a while, and brushing aside my initial fears of a conflict of interest, I put my name forward and was voted in.”
Although he comes in mid-term, Coles takes over with immediate effect and will spend some of the Christmas break looking into new ways to make the group more relevant.
Grey Power differs from other seniors’ groups through its affiliation with the New Zealand Grey Power Federation and its strong advocacy for the wellbeing and welfare of those aged 50 and over. It has no political affiliation but collects the views of seniors and lobbies with government to make changes that might benefit that demographic.
Coles said one of his first steps will be to liaise with other seniors’ groups in Cambridge and see if they couldn’t work more effectively together.
“Are we all trying to do the same sort of things?” he queried.
He is excited at where an invigorated Senior’s Forum might take Waipā after recent meetings in Cambridge and Te Awamutu set out the first steps in bringing them back.
Coles said he believes the communication he has long enjoyed with the town’s residents, including many living in retirement villages and other senior facilities, will be a benefit.
“Through my time on the Cambridge Community Board and now council, I have already made a lot of the connections I think I am going to need,” he said. “I’m looking forward to seeing where I can take it.”
