Members from the Korumburra Citizens Club concerned with the new $7m Community Hub’s accessibility issues

A group for lonely senior citizens has been left without a home after the local council evicted them from their clubhouse, offering members a new space they won’t step foot in.

A South Gippsland senior citizens club says it has been left without a place to meet after the council evicted them from the clubhouse and moved them to an “unsuitable” venue on a hill.

The Korumburra Senior Citizens Club (KSCC) — which has more than 100 members — was told by the South Gippsland Shire Council in June last year they needed to move out of their clubhouse of 50 years.

Instead, they were offered a space in the town’s new $7m Community Hub on Little Commercial St that opened in November.

However, club members say the new hub has serious accessibility issues for seniors.

98-year-old Avis Tilley, who has been a member of the KSCC for 21 years, said she wasn’t physically able to attend the new facility.

“It’s not suitable at all — it’s on a hill,” she said.

Members have been meeting at the Korumburra Senior Citizens Club on Radovick St for more than 50 years. Picture: Jack Colantuono

KSCC co-ordinator Angie Bowen said not only was the steepness of the road an issue, but there was also minimal parking.

“There’s only two disabled parking spots and they’re quickly taken,” Ms Bowen said.

Instead of meeting at the new hub space, members have spent almost a year meeting at different locations around Korumburra to continue their social meetings.

From left to right: Member/coordinator Angie Bowen, Kris, senior citizen Beryl Jarrett, madame president/treasurer Janne Grenon and senior citizen Avis Tilley still gather together for their meetings despite no longer hosting them in the Korumburra Citizen's Club building. Picture: Jack Colantuono

Ms Bowen said that due to how welcoming the club was, young people wanted to join in.

She added the club was an “asset” of the town and had historical significance.

Senior citizen Beryl Jarrett said a lot of older people moved to Korumburra and the club was “vital” for people looking to be part of a community and get involved in different activities.

Members of the Korumburra Senior Citizens Club were concerned on the accessibility for the elderly at the new $7m Korumburra Community Hub. Picture: Jack Colantuono

However, Mayor Clare Williams said the reason the members didn’t want to move into the new building was due to change.

“They space they can use, it’s managed, it’s clean — it’s got a full setup,” Ms Williams said.

“The fear must be around change.”

She shot down the elderly club members’ claims the building was not easily accessible, saying it was “fully fit for purpose”.

“It is such a magnificent building — maybe they’re not ready for that change,” Ms Williams said.

“It’s really making sure that our communities are all connected — rather than having all those single little buildings everywhere.

“It’s important that groups aren’t isolated anymore.”

The club has started a petition to be allowed to continue using the old clubhouse. It has received almost 300 signatures.