Author Archives: Anupa Shah

Telechat launches in Alpine community

Seniors Rights Victoria has welcomed the introduction of a Telechat Program in the Victorian Alpine region to provide regular telephone calls to people who may benefit from a weekly social chat.

The Telechat Program is when friendly volunteers phone participants at an agreed time, generally once a week, to share conversation and catch up.

The service was recently launched in Bright by Gerard Mansour, the Commissioner for Senior Victorians and Ambassador for the Prevention of Elder Abuse.

Mr Mansour highlighted how a small action such as a weekly telephone call from a Telechat volunteer can help break down the isolation experienced by older people living in rural areas so they remain connected and included in their community. read more

Hellos and goodbyes

Eastern Community Legal Centre’s Partnership Coordinator Kaz McKay recently finished up in her role after more than seven years of championing elder abuse prevention in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs.

Kaz began the role as one of nine elder abuse prevention coordinators across the state, eventually gaining funding from Senior Rights Victoria for a partnership approach to support professional service providers seeking to prevent this form of family violence in that broad community.

Kaz said when she first began to unpack the experience of people with a family member being abused it soon became evident that the older person’s network was a vital tool to monitor a situation and provide more support structures. read more

Free Community Forum: ‘Older, Wiser and in Control: Respecting Seniors’ Rights’

Seniors Rights Victoria, Bayside City Council and St Leonard’s Uniting Church are pleased to present an open discussion about elder abuse – the signs, prevention and resources for seniors, family and community members.

Sunday August 27th, 2.00 – 3.30pm

St Leonard’s Uniting Church, 2 Wolseley Grove, Brighton

This is a free event, but please register at contact@stleonards.org.au.

Click here for a copy of the flyer.

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day Forum – Safeguarding Older Australians

June 15 2017 @ 9:30 am – 12:30 pm

The Victorian Office of the Public Advocate and Seniors Rights Victoria invite you to a free 2017 World Elder Abuse Awareness Day Forum in Melbourne on Thursday 15 June.

At the forum, Senator the Hon. George Brandis QC, Attorney-General, will launch the Report of the Australian Law Reform Commission Inquiry into ‘Protecting the Rights of Older Australians from Abuse’.

We will also hear from key presenters:

  • President of the Australian Law Reform Commission, Emeritus Professor Rosalind Croucher AM; and
  • Hon. Dr. Kay Patterson AO, Federal Age Discrimination Commissioner.

Part two of the forum will help you gain a practical understanding of how some key organisations are responding to elder abuse. Our lively and interactive Q&A panel will include: read more

New – Elder Abuse Prevention brochures and community education kits in 6 community languages

Seniors Rights Victoria has continued to work over the past year with the Ethnic Communities’ Council of Victoria (ECCV) and a number of CALD communities to develop resources for those communities about elder abuse. New brochures and community education kits are now available in Russian, Vietnamese, Hindi, Punjabi, and Tamil (brochure only) from our Online Elder Abuse Toolkit Resource Library.

Panel – Safeguarding the End of the Rainbow

COTA Victoria and Transgender Victoria bring you a panel discussion on the issues to consider in planning for the future by LGBTI communities. If you are a member of the LGBTI community, work in the area or are just interested in the issues, please come along to this dynamic discussion.

When: Mon 15 May, 9.00 am to 11.00 am
Where: Maddocks, The Boardroom on Level 25, 727 Collins St, Melbourne.

To book call 1300 13 50 90 or email avidyasagar@cotavic.org.au. See flyer for more details.

Free ‘Legal Matters and Ageing’ forum for seniors

Making an Enduring Power of Attorney can help give you choice and control about how your affairs are handled into the future as you age. Seniors Rights Victoria will cover all aspects of Enduring Powers of Attorney at this free Law Week  forum hosted by U3A.

Bookings essential, call Denise on 0439 321 250 by 15 May. See the flyer for more information.

When: 18 May 2017, 1.00 -2.30 pm
Where: Ballarat North Community Centre,  702 Walker Street, North Ballarat

New Elder Abuse Prevention Networks project

Seniors Rights Victoria has received a grant of $85,000 from State Trustees Australia Foundation, to conduct action research on good practice models for local Elder Abuse Prevention Networks. Up to 10 Networks will be set up throughout Victoria as part of the Government’s preventative response to the Royal Commission into Family Violence. Networks link local organisations – such as health centres, council home carers, and seniors clubs to raise awareness of elder abuse and implement local prevention strategies. This is one of three projects funded by the Foundation as part of its Elder Abuse Prevention and Response grants program. read more