OCAV recognised as Victorian/ Tasmanian Organisation of the Year

Dear Friends

OCAV recognised as Victorian/ Tasmanian Organisation of the Year

I am delighted to share with you the thrilling news that OCAV has been named Victorian/ Tasmanian Organisation of the year in Leading Age Services Australia’s 2019 Excellence in Age Services Awards.

We now progress 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.

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.

And there is much to rejoice about.

Our track record and commitment to the mission developed by our founders is as strong as ever, and is evidenced through a Social Return on Investment analysis showing that annually for every $1 invested in OCAV, $7.41 of value is created for residents and the Federal and State Governments; an independent survey revealing that OCAV resident satisfaction exceeds the national benchmark; and partnerships with residents, researchers, and health providers is ensuring best practice service delivery.

Respect is pivotal to all that OCAV does with and for older people. 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.

New and upgraded services, such as our palliative care program, health and wellbeing program, and our approach to nutrition to include edible gardens, co-designed menus, and lifestyle talks, have emerged directly from residents’ requests.

We have several research partnerships in place aimed at improving the lives of older people. These include Winternet Café, a partnership funded through the NHMRC with La Trobe University, aimed at improving online access and digital literacy for older Australians. We are about to start a partnership, funded through a philanthropic organisation, with La Trobe University, to investigate the role virtual reality may play in improving health and wellbeing of independent living residents. Results from these change-making programs will be used to inform Australian health and ageing policy.

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.

Phillip Wohlers

Chief Executive Officer