General News
24 May, 2023
Lions back rural aged care
LIONS clubs across Australia have thrown their support behind a Wedderburn move to give elderly people in access to care in local rural communities. The international service club’s Australian convention has adopted the policy that people have...
LIONS clubs across Australia have thrown their support behind a Wedderburn move to give elderly people in access to care in local rural communities.
The international service club’s Australian convention has adopted the policy that people have access to affordable care when they are unable to care for themselves at home.
Wedderburn Lions put forward the proposal as it continues a 12-year campaign for an aged care facility in the town.
Chair of the club’s aged care project committee Jude Raftis said: “The policy approval means that Wedderburn Lions are another step closer to being able to conduct a national survey of all Lions clubs to establish the level of aged care in the towns they represent. In particular, this will be very useful having this information for rural areas.
“The collation of this data will provide a lens through which Lions can determine the need for aged care across the country.
“Wedderburn Lions has long argued that the lack of aged care in Wedderburn is as much a national problem as a local one and it is considered that this data will prove this correct.
“In turn, we will have the evidence to approach federal and state politicians to lobby for change. It is anticipated that a number of other Lions clubs may also come on board once they become aware of the situation in their communities.”
Wedderburn Lions met with Ripon MP Martha Haylett during last November’s election campaign for a review of funding options for aged care in country communities and changes to transferring care packages from home services to supported residential services.
Jude said: “The political situation at present, as advised by Martha Haylett’s office, is that she is still awaiting information from the relevant state and federal ministers.
“Wedderburn Lions will continue to advocate on behalf of our elderly for appropriate aged care within our community as a basic human right,” she said.