anticipation.

It is also the year the United Nations earmarked as the International Year of Older Persons.

To mark this, the Island has spent the year paying tribute to its national treasures -- recognising the numerous contributions its seniors have made to Bermuda.

Last Thursday hundreds of seniors converged on Number One Shed for a national conference devoted to the issues and concerns of older people.

And although conference chairman Sir John Plowman declared the event a resounding success, he urged the Island not to let the momentum generated throughout the year go to waste.

"Consideration should be given to the establishment of a more permanent committee to ensure that the momentum continues and that we don't allow this to become just a one year effort,'' he said.

Sir John said he hoped the International Year of Older Persons fostered local awareness of the significant role the Island's seniors played in the community and that, as the local population becomes older, policies will have to be put in place to deal with the effects of this world trend.

"I think you can't point to definitive achievements because it was quite a new concept,'' he explained. "But I also think we have laid the foundation in which a constructive policy, to ensure that the needs of the elderly are met, are a very real prospect.

"I also think that enough enthusiasm has been generated so that people realise that we have to face the problem that there is an increasing number of seniors and that appropriate actions need to be taken.'' Sir John said that he himself had learned a lot as chairman of last week's conference.

"It has been an education for me, I have learned a great deal,'' he said.

"There are a large number of very well organised senior organisations. Most of the credit goes to Fred Hassell who ensures that these organisations keep going.'' Hundreds of seniors braved the rainy weather to attend the conference which carried the theme, `Towards a Society of All Ages'.

"The conference exceeded all expectations,'' said Sir John. "We had a large number of people turn up. And those who had not registered for the conference had started assembling at 8.30 a.m.'' "They all went out of their way to say how interesting it was and how it was most constructive.'' Sir John also praised Allan Robinson for much of the seniors conference's success.

"Allen Robinson, chairman of the subcommittee who organised last week's conference, was greatly responsible for its success,'' he said.

The convention was officially opened by Premier Jennifer Smith, who attributed the success of the local community to the influence that its seniors exercised.

And the Premier also emphasised the UN proclamation declaring 1999 as the Year of Older Persons and its principles of older persons, which includes independence, participation, care, self fullfillment and dignity.

"These principles were the subjects dealt with in turn by the three keynote speakers,'' said Sir. John. "Nell Bassett-Carter, a Bermudian who has had great success in radio and television in New York after several years as Auntie Nell on a ZBM children's programme addressed the audience on independence and dignity.

"Dr. Khin Myint emphasised the need for health care for elderly patients in the hospital and Mary Baker, president of the UK Parkinson's Disease Society emphasised the need for participation, care and comfort of the elderly.

"She stressed what was most important -- that we focus on what older people really need.'' Development, Opportunities and Government Services Minister Terry Lister said the International Year of Older Persons had given seniors a new voice that could help the community learn from their diverse experiences.

And Health and Social Services Minister Nelson Bascome spoke of the concerns that will have to be addressed regarding seniors, like health care, housing, income support and recreation.

Sir John said the afternoon session was dominated by a lively question and answer session in which a wide variety of issues were discussed.

"His Excellency the Governor was present all afternoon and concluded the conference with a most thoughtful address.'' Avid listeners: Bermuda's seniors pay full attention to the speaker at last week's conference.