In the morning in Hobart, the Governor of Tasmania, the Honourable Barbara Baker, and Emeritus Professor Don Chalmers participated in the 2026 Hobart Lifelong Respect Walk Against Elder Abuse hosted by the Council on the Ageing (COTA) Tasmania.

During her term the Governor has been proud to serve as Patron of more than 130 Tasmanian associations, groups, clubs, societies, institutions and organisations which support our community across a wide range of fields.

Today she was pleased to join one of her Patronages, COTA (Council On The Ageing) Tasmania, to lead its annual Walk Against Elder Abuse in Hobart.

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day is commemorated globally each year on 15 June, and provides an opportunity for communities to stand together against the abuse, mistreatment and neglect of older people.

One in six people in Australia experience elder abuse, which is a violation of human rights and can include physical, sexual, psychological, emotional, financial and material abuse, abandonment, or neglect.

Today’s walk helped mark World Elder Abuse Awareness Day and is part of COTA Tasmania’s ongoing work in delivering its Lifelong Respect strategy to end the abuse of older Tasmanians.