Recently we were invited to visit Raymond Terrace in the Hunter region to attend a Seniors’ Forum facilitated by Meryl Swanson MP, Federal Member for Paterson.
The forum, held on 5 May, brought together older Australians in the Hunter community with key government services and agencies, providing clear, accessible, face-to-face information and support.
We attended to present on Compass and, more importantly, the role it plays as a central hub helping Australians better understand, prevent, and respond to the complex issue of elder abuse.
The afternoon was an informal sit-down session where attendees had the opportunity to hear from speakers, ask questions, and engage in meaningful discussion.
It’s a high priority for us to spend time in the community and hear directly from the people who benefit from the projects and initiatives we help deliver. Hearing lived experiences firsthand helps ensure the work we do is informed, effective, and genuinely responsive to community needs. Listening to the other speakers also gave us a deeper understanding of the complex issues our clients work to address, including elder abuse.
After the session, we were fortunate to meet Emma Middleton from Hume Community Housing and learn more about the incredible work they are doing across the region and throughout NSW, particularly in supporting older Australians experiencing housing insecurity.
Working in the for-purpose sector is something we take very seriously, so attending events like yesterday’s forum is incredibly important in helping us better understand how we can continue refining and strengthening the support we provide to clients like Compass.
