General Cosgrove Chairs New Aged-Care Peak Body
22 May 2012 at 2:48 pm
 General Peter Cosgrove has been appointed Chair of LASA. Photo: defence.gov.au |
The former Chief of the Defence Force and 2011 Australian of the Year, General Peter Cosgrove, has been appointed as the first Chair of the new aged care advocacy organisation called Leading Age Services Australia.
The announcement came at the official launch of Leading Age Services Australia at Parliament House in Canberra on Monday.
Leading Age Services Australia has been formed by Aged and Community Care Victoria (ACCV), Aged Care Association Australia (ACAA) and Aged Care Queensland (ACQ), as a national voice for providers of age services, regardless of whether they are from the private or Not for Profit sectors.
The two state-based aged care representative bodies, Victoria and Queensland, withdrew from the national peak body ACSA (Aged and Community Services Australia) to form a new national entity with ACAA in March 2012.
The split followed more than a year of turmoil over representation and a failed attempt to merge with a for-profit association.
ACAA President Bryan Dorman said the appointment of General Peter Cosgrove was a coup for the new organisation, with General Cosgrove bringing his considerable expertise and extensive contact networks to serve on the Board of Leading Age Services Australia.
“We are very fortunate General Cosgrove accepted the position as Chair of our Board,” Dorman said.
ACQ President Marcus Riley welcomed General Cosgrove’s appointment, saying Leading Age Services Australia needed an experienced Chairman to lead it through the expansion and change of its early years.
“The entire age services industry is at a crucial point in its existence. We must have a strong and capable advocate to advise the Board and to guide the planning process for future decades. I have no doubt that Peter Cosgrove is just that person.”
ACCV President Valerie Lyons said General Cosgrove was ideal to Chair the new LASA Board, as he was an exceptional leader with a proven record of success.
General Cosgrove said he had been impressed by the strategic objectives of the founders and executives of Leading Age Services Australia, as well as their values, commitment and passion for the aged care sector.
“I have extensive personal experience with the aged care industry, from a family perspective and professionally,” General Cosgrove said.
“Leading Age Services Australia, by our effective collaboration with all industry stakeholders – both Government and non-Government – will strive to deliver that enhanced system.”
General Cosgrove takes up his position from July 1.
Good afternoon, I am a service provider in the community, with a registered name and ABN . I am disappointed that our aged care are not being cared for, in the community. Since I started my business there are clients, that have told me that they have been forgotten about and dropped from larger organizations in the community because of a funding shortage. These clients are not receiving any services to help them with personal hygiene, meal preparation or allied health appointments. Something needs to be done and quickly. When I have approached larger health care service providers, I am told there is a funding shortage and skill shortage. Please General Cosgrove, could you help with this situation. Our aged care deserve better, they have served this country, not asked for much in life, we owe them the respect and dignity they deserve. Kind regards