The meeting was chaired by Dave McKeough, President of the PSA/CPSU NSW Retired Associates and commenced at 10:35am on Tuesday, 27 October, 2026 at PSA House and by Microsoft Teams.
1. Acknowledgement of Country – Ysbrand Oosten.
2. Attendance
At PSA House
Wayne O’Mara, Dave McKeough, Ysbrand Oosten, Samson Ramon, Nicola Christie, Robert Ryan, Therese Delanty and Siobhan Callinan – A/G Assistant General Secretary.
By Teams
Greg.
3. Apologies
Mara Tudorin, Robert Asbury.
Motion: That the apologies be accepted.
Moved: Nicola Christie Seconded: Wayne O’Mara.
Carried: Unanimously.
4. Minutes of the previous meeting held on 25 August, 2026
Date of next meeting changed to 1 December 2026 by the PSA – No vacant meeting rooms on 8 December.
Motion: That the minutes be accepted with the December date change amendment.
Moved: Nicola Christie Seconded: Wayne O’Mara.
Carried: Unanimously.
5. Business Arising
5.1. Motion re SSS Superannuation
No response as yet. – To be followed up by Dylan Smith, Manager, Industrial Specialists.
Siobhan Callinan advised that she would follow up with Dylan Smith.
5.2. Future Speakers
Services Australia – Commonwealth Seniors Health Card (CSHC).
You can get a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card if you meet certain conditions.
https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/who-can-get-commonwealth-seniors-health-card?context=21966
To get a card you must meet all these:
• be age Pension age i.e. 67 years or older
• meet residence rules
• not be getting an income support payment from Centrelink or the Department of Veterans’ Affairs
• provide a Tax File Number or be exempt from doing so
• meet identity requirements
• meet the income test
With a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card (CSHC) you may get benefits including both:
• cheaper medicine under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme
https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/pharmaceutical-benefits-scheme
• bulk billed doctor visits, this is decided by your doctor.
• You can also get an increase in benefits for out of pocket and out of hospital medical expenses above a certain threshold through the Medicare Safety Net https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/medicare-safety-nets
6. Reports
6.1. PSA – Siobhan Callinan – A/G Assistant General Secretary
Siobhan spoke about the following:
Domestic Violence Campaign.
Occupational Violence.
Housing – The PSA has completed a survey and report on housing and how it affects our members. Anna Patty, PSA Principal Policy Analyst is doing further work on the results. Pay case – Evidence to be submitted early November. Initial response by the Government in early January.
Artificial Intelligence – Troy Wright looking at how it affects PSA members.
6.2. Combined Pensioners and Superannuants Association (CPSA) Nil.
6.3. Sydney Retired Unionists Group (SRUG) Nil.
Next meeting – Monday 2 November, 11:00am-1:00pm at NSW Teachers Federation House, L 1, Meeting Room, 22-23 Mary Street, Surry Hills. Walking distance from Central .Station. Followed by lunch at the Sydney Brewery, 28 Albion St, Surry Hills.
7. Correspondence Nil.
Email from Sydney Retired Unionists Group (SRUG) re their next meeting – Refer 6.3 above.
8. Motions on Notice Nil.
9. General Business
9.1. Proposed future speakers:
AI relating to Public Service jobs.
Digital Footprint.
Aspire4Life – Care Finder Program.
Service New South Wales – Elder Driver Health and Assessment.
9.2 Digital Legacy
As the meeting time ran out, this subject will be brought up at the December meeting.
Refer also Attachment 1.
10. Guest Speaker
Mary Magias, Carers NSW – https://www.carersnsw.org.au/
Who does Carers NSW Support?
We can help if you provide unpaid care and support to a family member or friend who has a disability, mental illness, drug and alcohol dependencies, chronic condition, terminal illness, or who is frail due to age.
• You do not need to live with the person you care for
• You do not need to be the main source of care and support
• You do not have to provide care every day, or over many years
• You do not have to receive the Carer Payment or Carer Allowance from Centrelink.
Phone Carers NSW on 02 9280 4744 to find out more about the support we offer and other services available to you or visit the Services and Support page for more information on Carers NSW programs.
Refer also Attachment 2.
The meeting closed at 12:55pm
11. Date of Next Meeting
The next General Meeting of the Retired Associates will be held on,
Tuesday, 1 December, 2026 at PSA House or via Teams, commencing at 10:30am.
Https://psa.asn.au/member-services/retired-associate/
Attachments can be accessed HERE