MC: Past President Bob Glindemann OAM
Reflection: Past President Philip Endersbee OAM – The transcript of Philip’s reflection is included elsewhere in this bulletin.
President Carol opened formalities welcoming all present including new member to be inducted Daniel Durik. The list of guests at the Meeting is listed elsewhere in this Bulletin.
She also made special mention of Violinist Rosa Matos a visiting Music and Opera participant in Rotary Central Melbourne’s Next Generation Service Exchange whose brief performance was introduced by Maestro David Kram. She performed "Salut d'Amour" (Op. 12), one of the most famous and beloved pieces by the English composer Sir Edward Elgar.
Susan Barton AM then introduced for induction as a member of Rotary Melbourne, Daniel Durik, CEO Caladenia Dementia Care, his classification is Community Services Management, and he will join the Malvern Group. His mentor is Past President Robert Fisher
After an update on the 2026 Smith Family Around the Bay Fundraiser presented by Trevor Nink, he was joined on the podium by President Carol and Philip Endersbee members of the Club’s team of six riders and encourage members to sponsor the team riding to Albert Park from Sorento. Full details of how to get involved in the volunteer opportunities with the Melbourne Marathon and the Around the Bay Bike Ride are included later in this bulletin.
President Carol then invited Andrew Morrice (Chair of the Health and Ageing Committee to introduce our very own Guest Speaker, Sanda Hills OAM.
In speaking on the topic Ageing in Place, Sandra Hills challenged members to think about a question that will ultimately affect almost every Australian: are we genuinely prepared to age in place?
Drawing on research commissioned by Benetas, where Sandra is CEO, she explained that while around nine in ten Australians would prefer to remain in their own home rather than move into residential aged care, wanting to do so and being prepared for it are very different things.
Benetas developed an Ageing in Place Readiness Index examining five dimensions: preparedness, knowledge, attitudes, technology and confidence. The research found Australians were only about half as prepared as they could be. Significantly, people aged 50–69 were generally less prepared than those over 70, suggesting that planning often begins too late.
Sandra emphasised that ageing in place requires much more than access to home care. It means thinking ahead about whether our homes will remain suitable, understanding available services, planning financially, maintaining health, embracing useful technology and preserving strong social connections.
Attitude is equally important. Many older people regard accepting assistance as a loss of independence. Sandra argued that the opposite can be true: accepting appropriate help early can preserve independence and enable people to retain greater control over where and how they live.
Too often, planning begins only after a “life event” — perhaps a fall, hospitalisation or hip replacement which suddenly exposes how unprepared someone is. System complexity, limited knowledge of services, concerns about cost and the belief that ageing is “not relevant to me yet” compound the problem.
Sandra also argued for a more integrated Australian approach, pointing to overseas models where healthy-ageing plans and coordinated support begin much earlier.
Her central message was simple but powerful: ageing successfully at home is not something to think about when the need arises. Preparing early on key issues such as, finances, social connections and psychologically gives us the best chance of retaining independence, dignity and choice as we grow older.
Click here to view the recording of Sandra’s address.
To view the recording of the full meeting click here.
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