REPORT TO THE 2010
AGM FROM THE FORUM SUB-COMMITTEE
FORUMS, 2009
During 2009 two forums were held for prospective residents
of retirement villages, one at the Melville City Council and one by invitation
at the Rockingham City Council. Although it was hoped to run a third one later
in the year those plans were overtaken by the Residents Seminar and the
considerable work resulting from the review of the legislation.
Both the Melville and Rockingham forums were oversubscribed.
Holding the Melville Forum cost $379.75. Mid year we were
successful in obtaining funding for four forums from Lotterywest. Consequently
the Rockingham forum cost WARCRA $46.15.
FORUMS, 2010
It is planned to hold the next three (Lotterywest funded)
forums on
February 26th at the Amherst Centre in
Southern River
May 13th at Citiplace
Community Centre, Perth
Railway Station
July 29th Church of
Christ Community Centre, Dianella
The February forum has been filled and there is a waiting
list of about 25.
We have been fortunate to have regular presenters at the
forums. These are Shelley Whitaker, Principal SeniorsLegal, Gary Watts, Village
Manager and Ken Marston Exec. Director COTA. All donate their time. Various
representatives of Consumer Protection and the Financial Information Service
have also taken part at all forums. We are very grateful to the presenters for
their willingness to assist and for doing it so very well.
Our reasons for undertaking these forums presenting
essential information in as unbiased and balanced way as possible are
a. no one else was providing
such information free of a sales imperative;
b. village communities benefit
if incoming residents have a good under standing of the agreement they enter
into;
c.it is hoped in the process to
influence the questions prospective residents ask when enquiring at villages
and so influence operators; eg if they ask about the degree of consultation
about the budget
d.it raises WARCRA's profile in
the community
e.it may encourage a first step
towards membership if someone attending does move in.
RESIDENTS SEMINAR
In addition to the forums , the sub-committee organised the
first Residents Seminar on August 21st between 9.45am and 1.30pm at the Citiplace
Community Centre. Publicity was entirely through letters direct to residents'
committees in villages. Sixty six people attended, plus nine presenters and
eight WARCRA workers.
While it was felt the seminar was largely successful it was
clear the venue was not large enough for so many people. Also the legislative
review draft paper became available for discussion at this time and the session
from Consumer Protection was extended. This brought 5 more Dept of Commerce
staff and lengthened the program beyond the ideal but was too relevant an
opportunity to miss.
Topics covered were: the Role of the Residents Committee, the
'self funded village' and the various funds; dispute resolution, the role of
Consumer Protection and of the SAT; and proposed changes to the RV Legislation
OTHER PRESENTATIONS
In addition to the forums and the residents' seminar the
sub-committee gave talks to community groups ranging from a two hour
presentation at the GlydeIn Community Learning Centre (another is planned for
later this year) to forty five minute talks to AIR at Mandurah and Dianella.
There is opportunity to increase these activities but we
lack resources and other tasks take priority.
THANKS are due to the hard working members of this
sub-committee who plan and carry out these events so thoroughly. The members
are Bernie Francis, Ron Hasluck, Jane Levett, Bob Ziegler and Patrick Wyburn.
Shirley Wyburn
Convenor, Forum Sub-Committee.