Age matters, so take note

THE future of Melbourne’s elderly community is at serious risk

Firstly, we lost the much-loved Senior Citizen’s Centre, because the centre’s management team were advised that when the lease came up for renewal, it would be increased to a ‘commercial rent’, something that the centre just couldn’t afford

Now, most recently, we have the awfully worrying news relating to whispers and increasing rumours and it has since been announced that the management of the much-loved Pool Cottage home are unable to continue keeping this wonderful haven open, due to the increased prices that will be imposed when the lease comes up for renewal in August 2024

It is obvious that little thought or regard has been taken when considering the devastating impact this will have on the wellbeing of the very vulnerable ‘victims’ in what is in effect, their safe haven and home This was also the case for the mainly elderly people, meeting friends in the ‘safe haven’ of the Senior Citizen’s Centre that I would add, was ‘run’ by volunteers who cared deeply for the many visitors

People of all ages should be alarmed at what is taking place in what is seen as a very caring village Some members of the community may not be alarmed by what is happening, but be warned, some time in the future, age creeps up on everyone When the proposed closure of the Senior Citizen’s Centre was being actioned, I personally wrote to the current owner to express my serious con- cerns The letter was sent by ‘Special Delivery’ so that I was able to track that this letter had been received and signed for, which I did However, it would seem that my letter wasn’t deemed to be sufficiently important enough as I received no acknowledgement or response from the recipient

I fully understand the need to generate income to ‘balance the books’ by the introduction of other commercial activities, as have been seen recently However, I am greatly concerned that the members of the community being affected the most, just happen to be the elderly and most vulnerable and it is they that will be hit the most

I have heard talk of a Community Fund, possibly up £100,000, being generated for what is called, ‘at risk people’ but how can our elected representatives on the Parish and District Councils be part of this proposed plan when previously, residents have lost their community hub and by next year or sooner, elderly residents at Pool Cottage, who are happy, safe and secure, are going to lose what in effect is their home At this home, they are safe and have wonderful staff who as well as tending to their needs, are also their companions and friends for 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

The heading that I chose for this piece of writing is ‘Age Matters’ so some would do well remembering this, going forward into the future as next time it could be you

Colin Barker, Melbourne