COA’s new special needs program funded by local council
Sydney’s COA’s weekly bus outings are a blessing to those seniors who want to engage with their friends and enjoy a short walk and lunch in company.
Julia Golding, Mayor Peter Cavanagh and Zelda Feigen
Participants get out to some of the most beautiful spots in Sydney, some of the hidden places that they never saw when they were busy working.
It provides an opportunity to enjoy the fresh air and some vitamin D, instead of a coffee lounge with recycled air.
The catalyst for this program came, as many do, is from one of our volunteers.
In 2002 Rachel Lazarov was running a discussion group at the COA. The idea was originated to organise a weekly outings and the group got excited about the idea. Thus began the COA’s “Tuesday Outing”.
Rachel organised the bus and co-ordinated the group, but after a few weeks she had an accident which left her unable to continue.
Now over a decade later the Tuesday Outing remains one of the most popular activity and the only COA program with a waiting list.
However many of our members would love to participate but they are not fit enough for the current group.
COA wanted to start a second outing for the less mobile group.
The organisation approached Woollahra Council for financial assistance to get this project off the ground. The council understood the importance of this program for the community and generously granted funds to cover the expenses for the first year.
Julia Golding and Zelda Feigen were invited to the ceremony at Woollahra Council on 16thJuly where they were presented the money.
The COA team is working on launching this program and we will make the details available very soon. Do you know anyone who will benefit from this program please contact us at 9389 0035 or email: [email protected].
