50 Year Celebration
History of Life Activities Clubs in Victoria
The concept of Life Activities Clubs was born around 1970 when senior staff in organisations, such as the State Electricity Commission Victoria, Melbourne Metropolitan Board of Works and T&G Insurance Co., realised that staff were retiring without suitable planning.
In 1971, the Early Planning for Retirement Group was formed in Camberwell. Boroondara was one of the first Groups, and celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2011 as a Life Activities Club.
With other Groups planned, the Early Planning for Retirement Association unincorporated (the forerunner of Life Activities Clubs Victoria Inc.) was formed early in 1972. Its purpose was to promote the establishment of a network of similar Groups, with an emphasis at the time on providing financial literacy and assistance in the transition from work, for the many workers experiencing forced early retirement.
For quite a few years, the Association provided comprehensive pre-retirement seminars, including many under contract to Government agencies and large businesses in Victoria, and elsewhere. As social and employment conditions changed, and new regulatory regimes were adopted, the Groups adapted their focus to social, physical and recreational activities.
In 1995, Early Planning for Retirement Groups were renamed Life Activities Clubs, and the parent body was incorporated as the Life Planning Foundation of Australia Inc. to match the new focus.
New management arrangements were introduced early in 2008, and the difficulty of complying with the legal and constitutional requirements for Life Planning Foundation of Australia’s structure became evident. As a result, a completely new constitution was adopted in October 2009, and Life Activities Clubs Victoria Inc. (LACVI) was incorporated in April 2010.
Both parent bodies operated for a transitional period. In September 2011, Life Planning Foundation of Australia Inc. was deregistered.
Life Activities Clubs Victoria Inc.
Life Activities Clubs Victoria Inc. (LACVI) and its predecessors have been providing support to people approaching retirement or retired across Victoria for over 50 years. Its member Life Activity Clubs (LACs) are spread across metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria, with a total membership of around 3,600.
Its purposes are:
Through the formation and support of a network of Life Activities Clubs, to assist people approaching retirement or retired to enjoy a full, healthy, satisfying and connected community life, and to foster and maintain the lifelong wellbeing of all Club members through the provision of a range of social and recreational opportunities.
LACVI is a not-for-profit community organisation recognised by Government and the community as a valuable contributor to the well-being of the senior sector of our community. Some LACs also support their local municipalities at festivals and special events.
LACVI is the parent body for LACs throughout Victoria (the members of LACVI). The members jointly constitute the Council that meets at least 4 times a year.
The management of LACVI is invested in a Board of Directors (elected by the Council at the annual general meeting), and responsibility for major policy and the setting of directions is shared between the Board and Council.
LACVI is responsible for supporting its existing LACs, as well as establishing new LACs where a need is identified.
Each Life Activities Club (Club) appoints a Council Delegate (and an Alternative Council Delegate) to represent it at Council meetings, and to be the primary channel of communication between the Board, the Council and the respective Club.
LACVI is recognised by the Victorian Government as providing important community services. It receives, or has received, funding through the Victorian Department of Families, Fairness and Housing, and applies for grants through Federal and Local Councils.
LACVI provides a point of contact and assistance for the public and all LACs, and maintains contact with other relevant bodies.
