ADDRESS: Second floor, Ross House

PHONE: 9650 4709

FAX: 9650 3689

HOURS: 10am - 3pm, Wednesday (Irregularly staffed on other weekdays - please leave message)

CONTACT: Sue Healy

MEMBERSHIP COST: $7.50 single, $12.00 couple, $15 organisation

MEMBERSHIP CRITERIA: Full membership open to 50 +, Associate membership - under 50

HOW IS IT FUNDED: Commonwealth and subscriptions, occasional funding for specific projects

Older Persons Action Centre (OPAC) began in 1983, and has been at Ross House since 1988. We are a lobby group representing the interests of older people, especially those living on low incomes. We are active people, aged over fifty years old. People under fifty years old are welcome as associate members.

OPAC promotes a positive view of aging. We represent the views of older people on issues such as health, availability of transport, voluntarism, nursing home and hostel accommodation, legal rights, recreation and education facilities, and appropriate delivery of business services to older people. We put submissions to government, speak to parliamentary commissions, and sit on consultative bodies. During Senior Citizens Week we run an Information Caravan in the Bourke Street Mall where we make many contacts with older people in the street.

OPAC forms the management committee for the Residential Care Rights advocacy service. This service, located at 343 Little Collins Street provides advocacy for people receiving a commonwealth funded aged care service. Information kits for nursing home residents; staff and management are available. Advocates also run workshops at nursing homes, to educate residents about their rights.