Full house for report launch

More than 50 politicians, philanthropists, industry leaders and residents gathered at Parliament House for the launch of Living Communities Age Well, a report which showed that every dollar invested in OCAV creates over $7.41 of value for residents, the community and the Federal and State Governments.

The Hon Martin Foley, Minister for Housing, Disability and Ageing, congratulated OCAV for the role it has played for almost 150 years in ensuring older Victorians in need had safe housing and support to age well.

“The report demonstrates how OCAV has risen to the challenges we face as a society whether it is housing or caring for older people. The clear purpose and focus of OCAV is achieving results,” Minister Foley said.

He paid tribute to OCAV’s continuum of care model and commitment to house 50% of people who cannot afford the one-off means tested donation.

“It is a simple model, there is nothing else like it, it is successful and sustainable,” Minister Foley said.

Other speakers included Ross Wyatt, head of Think Impact which was commissioned by OCAV to research the organisation’s social return on investment; Ro Allen, Commissioner for Gender and Sexuality, and Patricia Benedict, a Currie Park resident, who also launched the report.

Commissioner Allen is the daughter of Currie Park resident Gillian Allen. She told guests that OCAV had brought her mother and family “peace of mind.” Having a safe place to live had enabled her mother to live a full life.

“She has an appointment book – fuller than mine- which is filled with commitments to local charities and her volunteering work,” Commissioner Allen said.

“I cannot tell anyone enough the importance and relief of knowing that your parent is in safe hands,” she said.

Patricia Benedict launched the report with a simple but strong request to guests.

“Everyone here can now act on the findings. We have 1,000 people on our wait list, we are looking for land and donations to create new villages so that OCAV can continue supporting older people, like me, into the future.”

Caption: The Hon Martin Foley, Minister for Housing, Disability and Ageing, at the launch.