In August this year, Care Connect shared a news story about 102 year old Dr David William Goodall who had been working steadily and consistently at his office at Edith Cowan University, until the University decided to remove his office from campus.
Good News! Dr Goodlall, Australia’s oldest working scientist, will remain on campus, in a move by the University to reverse their decision.
ECU vice-chancellor Steve Chapman told ABC News,
“It is better in many ways, First of all it’s closer to his residence and it’s easier for him to commute. Secondly, there’s an office very close that’s manned all the time so we will be able to keep an eye on him that he’s okay. Thirdly, he’s agreed to inform us when he comes in so that if he didn’t arrive we could check what had happened. All round I think it’s a better solution for him and a better solution for the university.”
“I hope to continue with some useful work in my field in so far as my eyesight permits. I prefer to be on campus because there are other people around and people who potentially are friends.” Dr Goodall told ABC News.
“The ability to contribute is a very important factor in peoples’ independence as they age. It’s clearly important to Professor Goodall,” said Paul Ostrowski, CEO at Care Connect.
Care Connect firmly believes that the routines, environment and surroundings that Dr Goddall values, are an important part of peoples’ well-being and happiness. Empowering people to make choices to live their own lives in their own way, with dignity and autonomy, is the foundation of what we do here at Care Connect. We provide much more than home care services. We provide a connection to what people value.
Mr Ostrowski said, “As a society, we need to rethink many structures, to ensure that healthy participation and active contribution remains a possibility for everyone, as they age, should they wish to remain active in this way.”
Over the decades we have seen the retirement age in Australia slowly rise. It now sits at 70, making it one of the highest in the world. As this trend continues, our society will need to be forwarding thinking in our approach, to how we enable active and safe workplace participation, for older Australians. Though Dr Goodall is a very rare example at 102, he is certainly not the first or only older person who has aspirations to remain connected to systems of work, beyond the retirement age.
“There is no doubt that we should celebrate examples like Dr Goodall, living happily and engaging in the things that give him independence, for life. It’s something we should all aspire to.” said Mr Ostrowski.
Care Connect congratulates both Edith Cowan University and Dr Goodall, who has accepted an offer to work in a voluntary capacity as an honorary research associate for another three years.
Read the full ABC News story here: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-12-20/wa-university-reverses-decision-to-eject-102yo-scientist/8136836
Photo: ABC News, Charlotte Hamlyn