Wednesday, 21 September 2022

Lyndoch Living

The Petition of certain citizens of the State of Victoria draws to the attention of the Legislative Council that the Board of Lyndoch Living, an aged care facility in Warrnambool started by the community, has lost the confidence of the community it serves.

The Board has broken a social contract between Lyndoch Living and the community which has existed for more than 70 years. This has led to a lack of transparency and accountability for the Board’s actions.

The Board has refused to allow members of the community to become general members of Lyndoch Living. More than 130 applications in 2021 were rejected without any reason given. In refusing to allow general membership, the pathway for community members to join the Board has also been cut. As a result, the Board is only answerable to itself.

This lack of transparency has led to grave concerns about the priorities and direction of Lyndoch Living, including the decline in residential care, a failure to act on serious allegations raised by staff, and the viability of a $22 million medical clinic that is now under construction that could leave Lyndoch Living insolvent.

The community has tried every avenue, including seeking legal advice, to address concerns surrounding the Board.

The petitioners therefore request that the Legislative Council call on the Government to, in consultation with the Federal Government, take all possible steps to have the Board of Lyndoch Living removed and to appoint an administrator until a new board can be appointed through a public call for nominations.

By Mrs McARTHUR (Western Victoria) (2234 signatures).

Laid on table.