A comedy fundraiser featuring Peter Berner, Alex Jae and Liam McCann will help raise funds for older people facing a housing crisis. Photos: Facebook.
Pete*, a 77-year-old pensioner, was facing homelessness after receiving an eviction notice from his home of 26 years that he had rented with his late wife.
It took two years – and three moves within 14 months – before he finally found a new home.
Pete’s story is a familiar one to the staff of IRT’s Age Matters team, who specialise in helping vulnerable older people experiencing or at risk of homelessness and isolation in the Illawarra and Shoalhaven.
In 2022-2023, Age Matters assisted 354 older people in the Illawarra and Shoalhaven to access appropriate services and accommodation.
Age Matters Manager Natasha Debsieh said the widespread housing crisis in Australia, coupled with extreme cost-of-living pressures, was impacting older people’s ability to access age-appropriate accommodation, services, medicines and food, especially for those on fixed incomes.
“We’ve been working with Pete since early 2023 to help him find secure housing and connect him to essential services so he can live independently in the community,” Natasha said.
“He worked in hard labour jobs his entire life, filling roles on the railways, brickyards and later taking up a career in car yards.
“Finding a new place to live proved exceptionally difficult for Pete who lives on the aged pension, and has mobility and hearing difficulties.
“We have supported Pete to not only apply for and secure accommodation, but have also helped him move, connect to health services and navigate government processes so that he can access the subsidies and payments he is entitled to, including aged care services, transport and pharmacy.
“This is the outcome that we strive for every day and we can’t do it without the generous support of our community.”
Age Matters is inviting the Illawarra community to continue that support by attending a Wollongong Comedy fundraiser night at Wollongong’s Builders Club on Friday, 18 October.
The talented line-up of comedians will include Peter Berner, Alex Jae and Liam McCann.
“We’re inviting everyone in the Wollongong area and surrounds to please come along with their friends to our comedy night and enjoy a good dose of laughter. It really is the best medicine,” Natasha said.
“We rely on the support of our community to assist vulnerable older people doing it tough. Come, have a laugh and leave with a smile on your face and full heart knowing you’ve contributed to a very important cause.”
*Name changed to protect privacy
Age Matters Comedy Night is on 18 October at The Basement, Builders Club Wollongong. Click here for tickets or call 134 478 for tickets and sponsorship opportunities.
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