Mean test on seniors at Glen Eira pool
2 Jun 12 @ 05:05am by Jessica Bennett
David and Marilyn Murphy don’t receive a Seniors’ Card pool discount. Picture: HILTON STONE
KEEN Murrumbeena swimmers are disappointed the new Glen Eira Sports and Aquatic Centre won’t offer Seniors Card discounts.
David Murphy, aged 60, and Marilyn Murphy, 59, said they swam every second day at the Carnegie outdoor pool, which is only open during the summer.
He said they decided to try the Glen Eira centre and were dismayed to find their seniors’ cards weren’t accepted as concession cards.
“When I received my Seniors Card last December I very proudly presented it at the Carnegie pool and they accepted it,” Mr Murphy said.
He said the aquatic centre manager told him the cards weren’t accepted because they were not means tested.
“Most who take the trouble to get Seniors Cards are self-funded retirees who are comfortable but not rich,” Mr Murphy said.
“Some seniors would clearly be using the indoor facilities for health and rehabilitation.
“I hope this doesn’t stop them from using the centre.
“It just seems a bit petty. Would it really matter if one billionaire got a $1 discount?”
Glen Eira Council spokesman Paul Burke confirmed Seniors Cards were not accepted at any council sports facilities as they were not a means-tested concession card.
Glen Eira Debates 
June 2, 2012 at 11:01 AM
This has got to be the most inflexibile, insensitive, pathetic council in the country. It’s fine to give “concessions” to the warriors because Burke stuffed up and the gang hasn’t got the balls to set things right; it’s also okay to keep spending a fortune on full page ads on the one hand when you’re claiming that gesac is an unparalled success; it’s also okay to bullshit about community and how much they care about seniors and then to do this! Burke keeps going from one public relations disaster to another and it’s all condoned by a bunch of equally pathetic wankers. They waste millions so have to gouge the pennies somewhere. Great business planning and a superb effort in looking after residents.
June 2, 2012 at 11:03 AM
I have nursed many self funded retirees and contrary to popular opinion they often find it even harder to make ends meet as they get no discounts or assistance for anything and as health conditions accumulate so do their expenses. The seniors card should absolutely be recognised. GE council, pull your heads out of your posteriors.
June 2, 2012 at 2:22 PM
What a slippery slope—and a typically unhelpful comment from Paul Burke. There are a multitude of eligibility rules across the spectrum of means-tested cards from Government, so for which ones does Council offer discounts? Age Pension? Commonwealth Seniors Health Care Card? And whereabouts on Council’s web site is this information? The publication Older Adults Guide to Glen Eira doesn’t disclose it either, despite talking about the Seniors Card, Pensioner Concession Card, Companion Card. Council should make clear who they consider to be sufficiently well-off that a discount is inappropriate.
June 2, 2012 at 3:44 PM
When you’re in hock up to your eyeballs over gesac then every single cent counts. To hell with seniors. If they can be ripped off then they will be. All the moeny is needed for car parks and relocating playgrounds to the tune of $391,000. That’s the bottom line in everything – make up for all the previous mistakes and cover up these mistakes.
June 2, 2012 at 3:53 PM
Can we guess that the Seniors Card concession would probably be approx $2 on an $8.50 daily entry. So would it be better to encourage participation and offer the discount? The Warriors offered approx $50 per court per hour in their EOI and yet are probably only using AND PAYING for 25% at most!….and ALL the councillors allegedly think this was the best they could get….how gullible. Where is your sense of judgement and community spirit Council if you cannot look after people living in and around Glen Eira?
June 2, 2012 at 3:58 PM
Guess the manager of the Carnegie Pool is now in Burke’s sights. A real shame since he/she is the only honourable Council employee is this really pathetic story.
Shame on Council – Administration and Councillors
June 2, 2012 at 4:01 PM
There goes the myth about GESAC welcoming all members of the community and it being a community facility – and all within a month of the “soft” opening.
June 2, 2012 at 5:06 PM
The following councils honour Seniors Cards in their Aquatic centres and other facilities –
Ringwood
Bendigo
Ivanhoe aquatic centre
Maribyrnong
Maroondah
Gippsland
Moreland
Wangarratta
There’s also this –
Council commits to support Carer Card
10 Sep, 2010 10:09 PM
THE City of Greater Bendigo will honour the state government’s Carer Card at sports events held at council facilities, pools and at The Capital theatre.
Mayor Rod Campbell said the Victorian Carer Card program was a new initiative that provided discounts to primary carers of children and adults living
with a disability or carers of the frail or aged.
“This means holders of a Carers Card will be able to obtain concessions at the same rate as Seniors Card holders at The Capital theatre, sports events on council-owned or controlled properties and local swimming pools,” Cr Campbell said.
“By affiliating with the Victorian Carer Card, the council is recognising the significant role played by carers in the community. Carers play an integral role and this is one small way council can acknowledge their efforts and assist this often marginalised group.”
The Department of Human Services estimates that 140,000 primary carers will be eligible to receive a Victorian Carer Card.
For more information, phone 1800 901 958 or log on to http://www.carercard.vic.gov.au
Shame Glen Eira, shame!
June 2, 2012 at 7:26 PM
A couple of posts ago we were told how much this council cares about its aged and ageing residents. Home maintenance hours have been cut by 500 and each year the council part of the pensioner rebate on rates is falling. The only thing going up is our rates and charges – probably to spend on all the staff that Newton keeps hiring. Paul Burke must be working overtime to try and cover up all these cuts and spread the spin to justify them. I simply want to know what councillors are going to do about it. On past record – nothing.
June 4, 2012 at 9:58 AM
I don’t know why everyone has got on their high horse about this as not all Aquatic Centres except Senior Cards and nor does all businesses.
June 4, 2012 at 10:14 AM
Thank you for your comment Anonymous. You have however missed the most vital point! The vast majority of these centres are COMMERCIAL operations. GESAC is and should be a COMMUNITY resource – funded by residents, for residents. In refusing to accept Senior Cards, Glen Eira council simply shows itself to be heartless and mendacious and totally disregarding its social obligations to serve all residents.
June 4, 2012 at 10:54 PM
Maybe, Council could offer Seniors a cheaper entry fee on at quieter times as I believe it costs us all to run the pool empty and some turnover is a hundred times better than none. Also GESAC could offer discount to swimmers who come by public transport as they save money by not crowding up the restricted car parks. Maybe a parking inspector could be appointed and gESAC bvositors could pay for car parking as if I GO BY TRAIN I have to go though two zones at about $8.00.