OCAV recognised as Victorian/ Tasmanian Organisation of the Year

The Old Colonists’ Association of Victoria is delighted to have been named Victorian/ Tasmanian Organisation of the year in Leading Age Services Australia’s 2019 Excellence in Age Services Awards.

Phillip Wohlers, CEO, said: “This award reflects the extraordinary dedication and passion that our staff, volunteers and residents bring to Old Colonists’ Association of Victoria.  It is especially fitting that we receive this accolade this year as we start celebrating our 150^thanniversary of providing housing and quality care for older Victorians in need.”

He said that OCAV had much to celebrate and that its track record and commitment to the mission developed by our founders was as strong as ever.

“We know that we continue to do the work that our founders started, and this is evidenced through a Social Return on Investment analysis last year which showed that annually for every $1 invested in OCAV, $7.41 of value is created for residents and the Federal and State Governments,” he said.

Underpinning OCAV’s quality of care is respect for older people, according to Mr Wohlers.

“This is demonstrated through actions raised in residents’ meetings where concerns are raised and followed through whether it is maintenance, or revitalising men’s sheds and other facilities,” he said.

Mr Wohlers said that residents played a crucial role in shaping OCAV’s services including its palliative care program, health and wellbeing program, and its approach to nutrition which now include edible gardens, co-designed menus, and lifestyle talks.

“I congratulate everyone involved in these innovations; their commitment and support to make OCAV the organisation it is today has and will continue to have a positive impact,” he said.

OCAV now progresses as finalists to the national awards which will be presented at LASA’s National Congress in Adelaide in October. The awards are sponsored by HESTA.