Dr Kay Patterson, the federal Age Discrimination Commissioner, will deliver the lecture, entitled ‘Older Workers – Rights, Innovation and Inclusion'. 

CSU head of campus, Dr Jennifer Munday, said the lecture would be an important opportunity for older workers to hear from someone with their interests at heart.

She believes older workers are facing a ‘catch-22’ situation.

“Workforce trends and government policy tell us we will need to work longer before achieving a well-earned retirement,” Dr Munday said.

“At the same time, many older workers report experiencing discrimination in their search for jobs.

“As we get closer to thinking about retirement, we have to think more carefully about our working situation, how we go about it with the rest of the community.”

Dr Munday said the guest lecturer would discuss the dilemmas faced by older workers as they look to find work in a changing society, as well as offering some solutions.

Dr Patterson's lecture will also cover the promotion of older workers’ rights.

“When we find we’re redundant, the type of work in society changes and you have to rethink careers, that can be really difficult,” Dr Munday said.

“We're really encouraging people to come along, we feel quite privileged that we're going to have Dr Patterson speak, and we want as many people as possible to share in that.”

Dr Patterson’s lecture will be held in the CD Blake Auditorium, building 751, room 104, at CSU in Thurgoona, from 6pm next Tuesday evening.