By CAM LUCADOU-WELLS
Casey council has refused to bail out a Polish senior citizens activities group in Doveton after its state grant was not renewed.
The 13-member group – whose members are aged up to 92 – has stopped meeting for exercise, games, crosswords, singing, art and crafts since its one-off ‘performing arts program’ grant finished at the end of June.
A Casey council report on 19 July stated it had not budgeted to provide extra funding to the group to make up for the lost $22,512 Home and Community Care funding.
Councillor Rafal Kaplon, who is also on the executive board of Polish Community Council of Victoria, said the council had to be mindful of its own “tight budget” due to rate capping.
“It’s unfortunate but … we have to be responsible and not spend beyond our means.”
The club boasts it is one of the most active of the Polish planned activity groups in the region.
Cr Kaplon said the group was located close to Endeavour Hills which has one of the greatest concentrations of Polish residents in Melbourne.
The council’s Community Care department has made a written offer to “support” the program in partnership with the Polish Community Council of Victoria.
It will continue to run a monthly outings program for the group in partnership with the PCCV.
Polish Community Care Services manager Bozena Iwanowski said the group could be revived by combining parts of each members’ aged care funding packages.
“The Polish Community is now at a peak age of 80-90 years. They really enjoy going to this group and having fun because they are lonely at home.”
