Abound Communities is founded

George Coppin was a man of influence. His career spanned politics, theatre, pharmacy, and he was keenly concerned about housing for working class families and older people. Throughout his career he met other influential individuals who had contributed greatly to the early history of the colony of Victoria.

On 11 May 1869, George Seth Coppin called a meeting at the Menzies Hotel to form the Old Colonists’ Association of Victoria.

He invited 20 men to the foundation meeting. They included Judge R W Pohlman, J B Were, founder of the Melbourne stockbroking firm, pastoralist Henry Creswick, and Thomas Moubray, draper and Lord Mayor of Melbourne.

This first committee established the Association’s Charter which had four objectives:

· To assist necessitous Old Colonists by loan or otherwise
· To promote facts relevant to the early history of the colony
· To promote the advancement of native born Victorians
· To encourage a friendly recognition of the founders of the colony.

Old Colonists’ Association of Victoria continues today.