The Old People’s Welfare Council of Tasmania was launched in 1964 with an initial donation from Hobart Rotary; OPWC groups quickly followed in several regional centres throughout Tasmania.

The object of these groups was to promote aged care generally and especially residential age care for the less well-off, frail aged. Residential Aged Care was not available as a public service at that time, but was provided by charities and churches. Many of these original providers of aged care have remained valued members of COTA (Tas) since its inception.

In 1990, suggestions that the COTA movement lacked the numbers of individual members needed to claim leadership in the older people’s sector caused discussions to be held with National Seniors Association, a large individual membership organisation, on the basis that the two organisations fitted well together and could provide, collectively, a stronger voice for older people than either could alone.

In the late 1990’s COTA (Tas) joined in negotiations with National Seniors to form the COTA National Seniors Partnership.

In 2002, a Partnership Agreement was concluded and discussions began as to the structure and governance of the new body. It soon became clear that the established federal structure which the COTAs believed necessary for the effective continuance of their work was unacceptable to the National Seniors Association and, in consequence, COTA (Tas) joined the COTAs in NSW, Victoria and Western Australia in withdrawing from the Partnership.

In 2005 with a revised Constitution, an expanded, skilled Board, COTA (Tas) is now facing the future with enthusiasm and energy following increased funding from the supportive Tasmanian Government.

Our increased funding has allowed us to appoint a full time Executive Director for the first time in five years.
Volunteers are now joining us to work in our developing Peer Education program, in promotion and administration.
COTA (Tas) gratefully acknowledges the contribution to core funding by the Department of Premier and Cabinet.

Our Philosophy

As the peak organisation for older people in Tasmania, COTA is involved in a wide range of consumer consultations. The diversity of our individual and organisational membership ensures our access to a broad range of experience and insight into issues affecting older people. COTA believes that policy is best created through a collaborative networking process to synthesise the combined experience and insights of people with practical knowledge into practical recommendations. The growing proportion of older people is placing considerable strains on our health systems and the present and future shortages of health practitioners are causing mounting problems. This area of public policy is a particular concern for COTA.

“Positive ageing” policy addresses the factors which enable people to live full, active, healthy and independent lives. Systems and programs which support older people to remain independent and which minimise the time they will need to enter a nursing home are important for both the individual and the economy.

Active ageing programs are an important way to stimulate the way of life which makes independent living possible as people age.