It is with gratitude that I write my last column for COTA Connects. It has been a great privilege to lead our wonderful team of staff and volunteers in working with older Victorians to advance the rights, interests and futures of Australians as we age. Our work has given Victorians who are 50+ a voice on a wide range of policy issues, including to two Royal Commissions currently underway. Our team in Seniors Rights Victoria works tirelessly to prevent and address elder abuse. And with our physical activity programs, information and education, and groups such as Older Men: New Ideas, we have promoted older people’s health and wellbeing across Victoria.
We welcome our new CEO, Tina Hogarth Clarke, who will start at COTA Victoria on 22 July. COTA Victoria is a people’s movement run by, for and with older Victorians; that’s what makes us effective fighting against ageism and standing up for the interests of older Victorians. I have great confidence in Tina’s leadership of the next stage of COTA Victoria’s development.
I thank you all for your support over my time as CEO.