Last month I introduced COTA Connects readers to the Ships’ Graveyard, a mysterious stretch of sea outside of Port Phillip Heads. One ship that sailed its waters was the iconic paddle steamer Hygeia, which, along with the Ozone and Weeroona, brought thousands of tourists to Queenscliff from Melbourne between 1890 and 1931. Built in Glasgow […]
This month, one of COTA Victoria’s programs, Older Men: New Ideas (OM:NI) men’s discussion groups, will celebrate its 10th anniversary at its very popular Eltham group. OM:NI Eltham is one of the state’s 29 Older Men: New Ideas (OM:NI) men’s discussion groups that aims to empower older men to take control of their lives after
‘I’ve had lots of highlights in my life but none like this. I never dreamed that I would have an Award named in my honor.’ So said Kelvin Kaires, a shining beacon of Diamond Creek OM:NI and the namesake of its annual ‘Sir Kelvin Award’. Every December since 2011, one of our members has had
In 1996, while working as an exploration geologist for Western Mining Corporation, I was sent to the remote Kyzylkum Desert in western Uzbekistan to report on various gold projects. This area is near to the Aral Sea, once a large freshwater lake with a thriving fishing industry, but now a dried-out dustbowl with a salt
Carl Franks died this year and was fortunate enough to have a strong family connection that allowed him to die at home at the age of 96. Carl was an active member of Older Men: New Ideas (OM:NI) men’s discussion groups. His last years saw him doggedly fight the ageing process as he cared for
After our inaugural meeting in the Bunyip Hall back in 2018, Older Men: New Ideas (OM:NI) men’s discussion groups, was described as “a group with an unusual name” by a local newspaper. It’s a wonder that so many men turned up on that frosty, foggy June morning. Some of the men were known to each
After a long career in banking, I wanted to do something for the community, so in 1996, I joined 3RPH. Part of Vision Australia, 3RPH (1179AM) is a radio station for the local blind, low vision and print disabled communities. Listener numbers were small back in those days, but today the audience continues to grow
Older Men: New Ideas (OM:NI) groups around Victoria are adapting to the COVID-19 crisis. Drawing on their life experience, these men are taking on the new challenge of isolation with positivity and resilience. While all face-to-face group meetings have gone into hibernation, the men are keeping in touch via phone or emails. Not everyone is
