COTA Victoria 2019—2020 Review VICT ORIA

Promoting Opportunities. Protecting Rights. For people 50+ Contents

Message from the President 4 Board members 4 Message from the

COTA Victoria staff at the Victorian Senior of the Year Award in 2019. They are: Nicky Barry, Karen Chief Executive Officer 5 Ivanka, Mitsuko Penberthy, Michelle Wright, Gemma Neve, Karen Iatrou, and CEO Tina Hogarth-Clarke. Our year in pictures 6 About COTA Victoria government, members, philanthropic trusts, businesses and the public. As a member-based Outcome one 8 COTA Victoria is the leading not-for-profit organisation, we are run by, for and with older organisation representing the interests and Victorians. COVID-19 — how we advocated rights of people aged 50+ in Victoria. For nearly One of our principal programs is Seniors Rights 70 years, we have led government, corporate Victoria, which provides information, support, for older Victorians 9 and community thinking about the positive advice and education to help prevent elder aspects of ageing. abuse and safeguard the rights, dignity and Outcome two 10 We are a not-for-profit community organisation independence of older people. and fund our activities with the support of Aged Care Navigators 10 Reach, Train, Employ 11 Our vision Our purpose Our values Assistive Technology for All 12 Ageing in Victoria is a time of COTA Victoria advances the Respect, Diversity, possibility, opportunity and rights, interests and futures of Collaboration and Integrity A Pat, Chat and a Walk a Day 12 influence Victorians as we age Information outreach program 13 Living Longer Living Stronger 13 Our cover Annual report editor and project manager: Phillip Money Outcome three Seniors Rights Victoria 14 Our cover features COTA Victoria Life Member Shirley Ramsay. Shirley began her association Graphic design: Gemma Papprill A year in numbers 14 with COTA Victoria in 1962. She rose to head the organisation, served on the Board and in the Education, information, and outreach 16 later stages of her COTA career established what Acknowledgement of country is now known as Seniors Information Victoria. COTA Victoria acknowledges the traditional The Board, management and staff of COTA owners of country throughout Victoria and Thank you to our funders 18 Victoria pay tribute to you, Shirley, and your their continuing connection to land, culture and fantastic contribution to older Victorians. community. We pay our respects to elders past, PHOTOGRAPH: Djoyobisono Photography present and future.

2 COTA Victoria Annual Review 2020 COTA Victoria Annual Review 2020 3 Message from Message from the President the Chief Executive Officer

The past year has been shaped for all Victorians Local Governments; community and health The year 2019-20 will be marked down in all our • loss of employment leading to reduced by two disasters - bushfires and the COVID-19 services; and businesses to ensure needs are met life calendars as memorable, to say the least. income pandemic. On the latter, each of us; our families; on issues that affect older Victorians. Expressions like unprecedented, extraordinary, • many services placing a greater emphasis our communities; our businesses; our health The consequences of COVID-19 resulted in or without parallel hardly do it justice. We on electronic, as opposed to face-to-face, service providers; and our governments, a disproportionate loss of life amongst older began with devastating bushfires, which had a delivery excluding older people who are have had to quickly try to understand what a Australians. The recovery of older Australians significant impact on Victorians living in rural and not online. coronavirus is and the danger it poses. from the pandemic will likely be more protracted regional areas. And we know that people in those areas are more likely to be over 50. • increased loneliness for people who Importantly, we have had to accept the loss of than that of the general community. We all became isolated through lockdowns our freedom to make basic decisions about how hope the news of a vaccine is a success. Our Then in late February 2020, we began hearing • official communication that does not we work, socialise and look after our collective learning from the last six months will be crucial the word that we now know all too well — recognise the enormous diversity of health and wellbeing. in preparations for the future on how to address COVID-19. Although I might have wished for Victorians older than 50. the most vulnerable as this pandemic subsides. quieter and more conventional times in my first Council on the Ageing (COTA) Victoria had to • working to ensure families continue to quickly change its operations and continued Thank you particularly to The Hon. Luke (financial) year as Chief Executive Officer of Council on the Ageing (COTA) Victoria, I am proud safely visit their relatives in aged care to to provide online and call centre services from Donnellan, Minister for Disability, Ageing and provide that contact, love and support. home and other remote locations. That is Carers; The Hon. Martin Foley, Minister for that all of us in the COTA Victoria family have testimony to the commitment and capability of Health; The Hon. , Minister for risen to meet some pretty significant challenges. You will read more about our advocacy efforts our Chief Executive Officer, Tina Hogarth-Clarke, Prevention of Family Violence; Gerard Mansour, As with the bushfires, COVID-19 has had a in the pages that follow. In closing, I would like and our staff. Thank you to all of you. Commissioner for Senior Victorians; Jackie greater effect on older Victorians.I would like to to thank my amazing staff for their support, Our continued ability to attract highly capable Kearney, Executive Director, Seniors, Ageing extend my deepest sympathies to the Victorians tenacity, and creativity during challenging volunteers for all aspects of our work is a and Carers, Department of Health and Human who lost or have been unable to visit family and times. I would also like to send a thank you to measure of the high standing of our organisation. Services; and Amy Schwebel, Associate Director, friends as a result of COVID-19. our volunteers. While your activities have been To our 100+ volunteers, your work is exceptional Sector Engagement and Service Design, Victorian At COTA Victoria, we have continued to work for constrained, I am confident there are bigger and and appreciated. Legal Aid. It is with your assistance, and our many all Victorians aged 50+ during this pandemic. better things on the horizon. Finally, I would other supporters, that we are able to continue to We have ensured that decision makers — no like to thank the COTA Victoria Board for your We are fortunate to have a highly qualified help all older Victorians. encouragement and support. group of volunteer Directors on the COTA matter whether they be government, business or Victoria Board. During the year we welcomed COTA Victoria will celebrate 70 years of active community leaders — are aware of the unique community engagement next year. We have challenges that many older Victorians face. Maya Avdibegovic and Kathryn Brown, who Tina Hogarth-Clarke commenced as Treasurer. I thank Jean Raar who begun preparing for that birthday by thinking These include, but are not limited to: retired during the year. about how we can build a better organisation to meet future needs. • a rise in circumstances that lead to elder COTA Victoria works closely with the State and abuse Mike Lescai Board members

Mike Lescai Lynette Moore Graeme Bird Kathryn Brown Cathy Mead Gregg Nicholls Robert Caulfield Minh Nguyen Maya Avdibegovic Jean Raar Tina Hogarth-Clarke President Director Treasurer Treasurer Director Director Director Director Director Director CEO to 6 February 2020, from 6 February 2020 to 24 September 2019 Director from 6 February 2020

4 COTA Victoria Annual Review 2020 COTA Victoria Annual Review 2020 5 Our year in pictures Find something to do now - not be thinking too far ahead and being overwhelmed by what you During lockdown we called everybody on our can’t do. Think of what you member database without an email. Most of can do at this moment, the people said they were doing OK but were grateful for the phone calls. COTA Victoria survey June to August 2020 Tina Hogarth-Clarke, COTA Victoria CEO, evidence Volunteers Helen Wu and Meena Lalwani at the COTA to Victorian Parliamentary Enquiry on COVID-19 Victoria annual general meeting in November 2019 pandemic, May 2020.

Zoom meetings are great for information COTA Victoria staff Nicky Barry, Mitsuko sharing, but they don’t build friendships Penberthy and Karen Ivanka at the Pauline Sharples, middle, was Senior of the Year awards in 2019. the lucky winner of an iPad COTA Victoria survey June to August 2020 in our 2019 Seniors Festival competition. Pauline is pictured Not only do we have to embrace with CEO Tina Hogarth-Clarke, positive ageing, we have to put it on the left, and Karen Ivanka frontline so there is age equity. Every Ageing is not a problem or age counts. disease, it is a powerful natural lifelong process that unites us Audience member at Challenging Ageism event with Ashton Applewhite, November 2019 all. It’s the one universal human experience.

The Hon. , Minister for Disability, Ageing Ashton Applewhite, Challenging Ageism and Carers, pats Gino at the launch of our Pat, Chat and event, November 2019 Jing Yan Gong and a Walk a Day campaign in November 2019. Read more Bernard Brickhill about the campaign on page 12. attend the COTA Victoria annual general meeting in 2019. Older workers have transferrable I am concerned about going life skills. Be confident and listen. to the doctor, so I find I am Know you are of value. postponing routine checkups. Hopefully, we will Even when I probably really remember the wins and Reach, Train, Employ participant Sharon Ciberlin should see my doctor, I do not. take them forward.

COTA Victoria survey COTA Victoria survey Graeme Worland from Casey OM:NI joins fellow members of June to August 2020 June to August 2020 the Older Men: New Ideas discussion group held in the City of Casey in 2019. More information:https://bit.ly/omnigroups .

6 COTA Victoria Annual Review 2020 COTA Victoria Annual Review 2020 7 Outcome one COVID-19 — how we advocated for older Victorians Maintain our leadership in policy development and Issue Action Result advocacy on behalf of people 50+ in Victoria and Australia in general. Lack of activity due to We moved out strength- Better health outcomes closure of gyms and other based fitness training and increased digital means of exercise. program, Living Longer engagement for Living Strong, online. participants.

In February 2020, as Victoria assessed the • the COTA Federation’s policy officer Mixed levels of digital We highlighted the Government established damage caused by once-in-a-lifetime bushfires network access and literacy. issue at the Victorian the Coronavirus hotline Parliamentary enquiry 1800 675 398. another momentous event shifted rapidly into • a survey of 1146 Victorians, of whom into COVID-19. focus. A mysterious new — or novel — virus almost 90% were over 65. moved from the back to the front of our minds. Many of our well-laid plans went out the window Throughout the lockdowns, calls increased to Visits to aged care were COTA Australia, The code, which has been as we reckoned with the threat of COVID-19. the SIV helpline. The leading issues were health, restricted or tightly supported by 13 other updated twice, cements followed by pensions and other government As the voice of older people, COTA Victoria controlled. organisations, developed a human rights approach payments, then aged care. Many of the issues needed to hear and then amplify — to an industry code for to care that protects and were unique to people over 50. governments, community organisations, and visiting residential aged respects aged care residents the wider community — the concerns of older Our responses to the concerns raised by older care facilities. and their visitors. Victorians. And we needed do our best to Victorians during the pandemic included: propose solutions. • COTA Insurance’s Adelaide call centre Shops were reluctant COTA Australia spoke Supermarkets and other From the middle of March 2020, we initiated a staff rang the 580 COTA Victoria members to handle cash, with retail associations, retailers made appropriate COVID-19 coordination working group — led by who did not have email addresses to see disadvantaging people stressing the importance options available for people Community Engagement Officer Amanda Kunkler. whether they were OK without debit or credit of cash-inclusive wanting to use cash. cards. payment alternatives. Our inputs included: • advocacy to the Victorian Government including an appearance by our CEO, • focus groups with COTA volunteers, our Tina Hogarth-Clarke, before the Victorian COVID-19 information Recommended to COTA Victoria provided Policy Development Committee and peer Parliament’s Public Accounts and did not take account of governments that tailored channels through educators Estimates Committee’s Inquiry into the older people’s individual messaging should be its website, newsletters • media reports Victorian Government's Response to circumstances. tailored to older people. and social media. • information from callers to our Seniors COVID-19. We followed this with a formal Information Victoria (SIV) 1300 135 090 submission helpline and the Seniors Rights Victoria • regularly updated information on our elder abuse helpline 1300 368 821. We website. This was accompanied by increased the SIV helpline availability from articles in our monthly enewsletter COTA four to eight hours a day. Connects • regular contact with all levels of • between March and June 2020, actioning government, especially through forums 43 issues collected through the SIV and such as the Municipal Association of SRV helplines. Adelaide-based COTA Insurance call Victoria’s fortnightly Positive Ageing centre staff Lynne, Mandy, Teresa, Paul Network and Margaret. During the pandemic, the call centre staff rang COTA Victoria members without email addresses to see whether they were OK.

8 COTA Victoria Annual Review 2020 COTA Victoria Annual Review 2020 9 Reach, Train, Employ Outcome two In the race for employment, made even tougher by a COVID recession, older workers face Continue to successfully manage and increase a significant hurdles. A joint 2018 report from the Australian Human Resources Institute (AHRI) and portfolio of physical, mental and financial health the Australian Human Rights Commission found that a third of AHRI members imposed an age projects and services designed to benefit and ceiling when recruiting for positions. See improve the quality of life of older Victorians. https://bit.ly/olderworkerreport In March 2020, COTA Victoria kicked off the Reach, Train, Employ program. The program — facilitated by a Try, Test and Learn grant from Reach, Train, Employ participant Sharyn the federal Department of Social Services — is Ciberlin. Picture: supplied. COTA Victoria’s diverse portfolio of programs continued pace during 2019-20, albeit with some designed to assist older job seekers in the movement online during the second half of the year. An example is our Reach, Train, Employ Brimbank, Melton and Bacchus Marsh areas to program, which targets jobless mature workers in Melbourne’s western suburbs. When COVID- re-skill and find paid work in the aged-care and Case Study: related social distancing measures were put in place, the program moved to a digital environment. disability industries. Sharyn Ciberlin Participants are supported to complete a Sharyn Ciberlin joined the Reach, Train, Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing and Aged Care Navigators The Dandenong trial has focussed on culturally Employ program in March 2020. Sharyn, 53, and linguistically diverse communities, and is Disability) through RMIT University. In addition, The Federal Government’s My Aged Care has a background is in the food/hospitality supported by Southern Migrant Refugee Centre, they receive support through a life coach from program supports people 65 and over to industry, including a seven-year stint in the City of Greater Dandenong, Enliven and Ethnic Good Shepherd Australia New Zealand. ‘We continue to live in their own home with home military as a chef. She is looking for work as a Communities’ Council of Victoria. Community are currently running two groups of about 20 support services. personal care assistant. Champions who represent various groups have students each,’ says RTE Project Officer Shirley COTA Victoria is leading three Aged Care been trained to support and assist the trial Carlos. ‘One group started training in March, and Sharyn said that as well as technical skills, Navigator projects to inform, educate and activities. a follow-up group began in July. To learn more Reach, Train, Employ provides participants promote My Aged Care in Victoria. They are visit: http://bit.ly/RTEmploy2020 with softer skills such as self-confidence. The Pakenham trial is located in Outlook part of 62 federal government funded trials in Community Centre and is supported by Two things motivated her to seek a career in Australia. Cardinia Shire, Outlook staff and community the disability and aged care sectors. There are two physical information hubs — in representatives. ‘The first thing is my age,’ she says. ‘I have Dandenong and in Pakenham — and a statewide Trained Aged Care Navigators make follow up compassion and life experience. I want to see phoneline providing information through the calls to individuals who call the SIV helpline. people in facilities have their personal-care Seniors Information Victoria (SIV) helpline 1300 needs met and to see improvements in their 135 090. The Aged Care Navigator programs have adapted care. to the COVID-19 challenges through Zoom presentations and phone support services. More ‘Secondly, I know there is a huge need: information about Aged Care Navigator is at people are living longer. There is a good http://bit.ly/acnavigator. fit between my skills and the need in our community.’ The My Aged Care website is at: http://bit.ly/MACWebsite. And what’s her message for older people seeking work? ‘We have transferable life skills. Be confident and listen. Know where to go for information. Go to your local council and the library and Darryn Cunningham, Positive Ageing Officer, source information for support. Know you Maria Erdeg and Dian Price at an Aged Care City of Melton, and Steve Bruechert, from RMIT are of value.’ Navigator information session in Dandenong in University, at a Reach, Train, Employ session at early 2020. Caroline Springs LIbrary.

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Assistive Technology for All A Pat, Chat and a Walk a Day People over 65 who require funding for assistive There’s nothing like a pat, chat and a walk a day Ageism is stopping Australia technology must negotiate a maze of state and to keep the doctor away. Launched in November from tapping into the social federal government schemes. The result often 2019, by the Victorian Minister for Disability, capital of the greatest number means going without vital equipment, joining Ageing and Carers, the Hon Luke Donnellan, COTA of healthy, well-educated adults long waiting lists or funding it themselves. Victoria’s Pat, Chat and a Walk a Day campaign that has ever existed, said Assistive technology includes devices such as encourages older Victorians to get out and activist Ashton Applewhite at an motorised wheelchairs, screen readers, bed exercise. event hosted by COTA Victoria in hoists and leg braces. The National Disability The campaign highlights the important role pets November 2019. Ashton, left, is Insurance Scheme does not cover people older play in encouraging older people to exercise pictured with former COTA staff than 65. daily, while providing comfort, happiness, member Donna Swan. In early 2020, with an alliance of more than companionship, and opportunities to socialise. 20 organisations representing people with These activities are vital in the battle against disabilities, COTA Victoria launched the Assistive anxiety and depression. Regular physical activity Technology for All campaign. The campaign, such as walking the dog can also help reduce Information outreach Living Longer Living which obtained national news coverage through the risk of conditions such as heart disease, type Stronger the ABC, features a website — with case studies 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and dementia. program of people who use assistive technology — and Walking can also reduce the risk of falls and fall- In early 2019-20, we focussed our information Pivot is one of those over-used words of 2020. an online petition. ‘We want a national scheme related injury for older people, which can affect outreach program on a series of face-to-face However, when the gyms and Living Longer which provides funding for assistive technology their ability to live independently. To learn more sessions delivered in nine locations. Topics Living Stronger locations closed across Victoria in for people who fall outside the NDIS,’ said visit: http://bit.ly/patsnchats included planning ahead, looking forward and March, this is exactly what we did. Our strength campaign coordinator Lauren Henley. Learn more energy options. By March 2020, we had delivered programs aim to improve the health outcomes, at http://bit.ly/TechforAll information to almost 1800 people. fitness, and quality of life for older people through strength and balance training. COTA With the advent of COVID-19 lockdown in March, Victoria led the way with an online pilot project, we rapidly reappraised the program, focussing on so that we could continue to support the physical three key areas: health and mental wellbeing of older adults. • engagement and community connection to address issues associated with isolation Faye, 77, a retired teacher from Melbourne’s outer suburbs, was reluctant to embrace the • information provision and connection to online format. ‘I enjoyed the face-to-face services and supports program and wasn’t sure I would have the same • capacity building. connection online,’ she said. As Melbourne’s lockdown dragged on, she bit the bullet, bought We moved from face-to-face delivery of herself a new iPad and learned how to Zoom. information to developing: She is disappointed that she did not start sooner. • written information packs on each of our Her advice for anyone who believes that they are key topics to replace in-house information too old for technology. ‘You need someone to sessions teach you, but it is not beyond you. Learning how • partnering with organisations such as to go online opens up a whole new world!’ Learn Boroondara Library, Donvale Probus more about the Living Longer Living Stronger Peter Willcocks, who is living with post-polio Club, Woodend U3A to deliver outreach program at http://bit.ly/longerstronger. syndrome, needs an expensive wheelchair to sessions via Zoom meet his daily needs. He speaks with ABC reporter • podcasts on key topic areas. James Hancock. Picture: Phillip Money. At the launch of COTA Victoria’s Pats and Chats program are (standing) Steve McGhie MP with Over the coming months, we will further refine Brownie, Hon. Luke Donnellan, MP, the program and are committed to delivering MP, (seated) MP, informative and high quality information to Melanie Scott (K9s 4 Valour) holding Hamish, Tina Victorians aged 50+. To stay up to date on COTA Hogarth-Clarke with Gino. Victoria events, visit http://bit.ly/Cotaevents.

12 COTA Victoria Annual Review 2020 COTA Victoria Annual Review 2020 13 Outcome three Seniors Rights Victoria — how we assist Seniors Rights Victoria callers to our service 1. Calls A just, equitable and inclusive society in which In 2019-20 we received Assistance provided includes: the human rights of older people are respected. 3303 calls to our helpline. • support Callers include: • referral to other agencies • friends and family who are • information concerned about an older situation. Advice is either legal — provided by an • a person experiencing abuse A year in numbers person they suspect might SRV lawyer — or advocacy — provided by a social may be referred to the SRV be experiencing abuse Seniors Rights Victoria (SRV) is the key state-wide worker — or provided jointly by a lawyer and a advocacy and legal service service dedicated to stopping elder abuse. We social worker. • professionals seeking for an advice. advice or expertise provide information, support, advice, casework If a client requires further assistance after and education to help prevent elder abuse and receiving advice, where the issue fits within our • people experiencing elder safeguard the rights, dignity, and independence guidelines and there is capacity to do so, a case abuse. of older Victorians. is opened. In 2019–20, we were managing 310 People access SRV services through our helpline cases. Our process is outlined in the following — 1300 368 821. During the 2019-20 year, we table. received 3303 calls (3572 the previous year) to the helpline. 2. Advices Issues are either handled through the helpline, referred on to other agencies, or formally In 2019-20, we provided A lawyer and advocate (social escalated for further advice. In 2019-20, 388 677 advices to 388 people. worker) will work together with callers, or 12%, were formally escalated for the person experiencing abuse. further advice by SRV. Sometimes the person will need either a lawyer or an advocate but When an issue is handled formally, SRV will not both. If a client needs more schedule a phone call or meeting with the older formal assistance, a case is raised. person to give them information specific to their

3. Cases

In 2019-20, we managed 310 cases Cases may be legal or advocacy or on behalf of 188 clients. a combination of both. They are raised when the person requires ongoing assistance.

14 COTA Victoria Annual Review 2020 COTA Victoria Annual Review 2020 15 which can make the abuse harder to address,’ Ms Study provides an insight Edwards said. into elder abuse In August 2020, more than 300 professionals Family members — notably adult sons or attended a webinar — featuring experts including daughters — are the most likely perpetrators of Professor Dow and Rebecca Edwards — to launch elder abuse, according to a landmark study of the study. elder abuse data. Melanie Joosten, Seniors Rights Victoria Policy Seniors Rights Victoria and the National Ageing Officer, led the project to compile the study. Research Institute (NARI) jointly undertook More information is available on our website. At the launch of the Concerned About an Older Person booklet in Colac in November last year are: examination of 2385 cases of elder abuse Shane Foyster, Barwon Community Legal Service; June Day, Colac Area Health; Suzi Parkinson, Colac reported to SRV from June 2012 to July 2019 in Education outreach Otway Shire; Rhonda Mahoney, Colac Area Health; Madeleine McCarney, Colac Area Health; Gary the study, Seven Years of Elder Abuse Data in Ferguson, Seniors Rights Victoria; Gerard Mansour, Commissioner for Senior Victorians; Jenny Blakey, Victoria. Seniors Rights Victoria conducts outreach and Manager Seniors Rights Victoria; Alexandria Jones, Barwon Community Legal Service; Bryanna Connell, education throughout Victoria to increase NARI Director Professor Briony Dow said the Barwon Community Legal Service. awareness of elder abuse. During 2019- report was vitally important because there is very 20, 2377 people attended 76 community little data on elder abuse in Australia. Education, information, Commissioner launches education events, while 917 people attended 35 SRV’s Principal Lawyer Rebecca Edwards said that professional education events. With the advent and outreach new booklet in more than 90 per cent of elder abuse cases the of the COVID-19 pandemic, some of these events A highlight of our education and outreach events perpetrator was a family member. It was most occurred online. WEAAD in 2019-20 was the launch of the Concerned likely to be an adult son — 39% of perpetrators — or adult daughter — 28% of perpetrators. Along with tight restrictions, the COVID-19 About an Older Person booklet. In November pandemic brought new avenues and 2019, the Commissioner for Senior Victorians, ‘Increasingly, this adult child is experiencing their opportunities to increase awareness of elder Gerard Mansour, launched the booklet aimed at own difficulties — which include mental illness abuse on World Elder Abuse Awareness Day service providers and the family and friends of or a gambling or substance abuse problem — (Monday June 15). people who are experiencing elder abuse. The late Hon. Susan Ryan AO, a former Aged ‘Half the people who call our helpline are The Honourable Dr Kay Patterson AO, Age Discrimination Commissioner, bottom right, attended the Discrimination Commissioner and minister in the concerned about someone they know,’ Elder Abuse Roundtable in August 2019. With Dr Patterson are back row: Luke Wright (State Trustees), Hawke Government, was the keynote speaker at said Seniors Rights Victoria Manager Jenny Faith Hawthorne (Justice Connect), Fiona York (HAAG), Lauren Adamson (Office of the Public Advocate), the online Warm Safe Home Project Forum. The Blakey. ‘We only act when the person who is Natalie Gibbons (Victoria Police), Brenda Appleton (LGBTI Alliance), Philippa Campbell (Elder Rights forum was conducted in partnership with the experiencing the abuse contacts us to ensure we Advocacy), Melanie Joosten (SRV), Donna Askew (ECLC), Tina Hogarth-Clarke (COTA Vic). South West Elder Abuse Prevention Network, act on their directions. Front row: Ingrid Kirchner (No to Violence), Jenny Blakey (SRV), and Dr Patterson. Picture: Phillip Money. based in Warrnambool. ‘The booklet, which can be ordered through our Seniors Rights Victoria’s Community Education website, helps concerned family, friends and Coordinator, Gary Ferguson, said Ms Ryan’s service providers take practical steps to help the address was inspirational and well-informed. person experiencing abuse.’ ‘We’ll be forever grateful that she lent her name Service providers and members of the public to the project,’ Gary said. Ms Ryan died on attended the booklet launch in Colac, south Sunday 27 September. western Victoria. The booklet has been funded Other WEAAD events included: by the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services under the state’s initiative to • Stir a Cuppa for Seniors featuring guest reduce family violence. speaker Seniors Commissioner Gerard Mansour Gary Ferguson, Seniors Rights Victoria’s Education Coordinator, led the project to produce • a joint forum between the Department of the booklet with the support of a project Health and Human Services and SRV. This advisory group. To order the booklet, contact featured a panel discussing a case study. SRV at [email protected] or phone 9655 More than 370 people registered and 2129. You can download the booklet at joined this forum. http://bit.ly/concernedbooklet.

16 COTA Victoria Annual Review 2020 COTA Victoria Annual Review 2020 17 Thank you to our funders

COTA Victoria is a not-for-profit organisation reliant on funding and assistance from a variety of Government, philanthropic, and corporate funders. We are very thankful for the assistance, including in-kind support, we receive. Federal Government Philanthropic funders Council on the Ageing (COTA) Victoria Collier Charitable Fund acknowledges the support of the Federal State Trustees Australia Foundation Government. Federation of Community Legal Centres Department of Health Victoria Department of Social Services The Andrews Foundation Attorney-General’s Department Gandel Philanthropy Australian Sports Commission JO and JR Wicking Trust - Equity Trustees Our Watch Limited Victorian Government Casey Cardinia Foundation Council on the Ageing (COTA) Victoria Delys Sargeant Memorial Fund acknowledges the support of the Victorian Government. Department of Education and Training Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning Department of Health and Human Services Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions Department of Justice and Community Safety Department of Premier and Cabinet Victoria Legal Aid

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COTA Victoria VICSeniorsT ORI RightsA Victoria 1800 136 381 1300 368 821 [email protected] Victoria [email protected] Rights Victoria www.cotavic.org.au1800 136 381 https://seniorsrights.org.au1300 368 821 [email protected] [email protected] Please notewww.cotavic.org.au our new addresss https://seniorsrights.org.au Level 2, Suite 2.5, 424 St Kilda Road, MelbournePlease Vic 3004. note our new addresss Level 2, Suite 2.5, 424 St Kilda Road, Melbourne Vic 3004.