Calling a Backpacker Hostel Home: The COVID-19 response that saved lives during Melbourne’s toughest lockdown


Wintringham learnt that a group of predominantly aged and disabled people living in a pension level supported accommodation service had been forcibly moved from the place they called home to essentially save their lives. COVID-19 had torn through their building and a health directive meant all residents were involuntarily admitted to hospitals to recover and isolate. Their future was unclear; with Departmental officials unsure if they could return safely.

Faced with a group of people, many of whom capacity was at question and the majority of whom had no family, meant engaging from day one key senior staff from Victoria’s Office of the Public Advocate (OPA). Having this face to face interaction with our guests was of enormous benefit and the expertise around disability and advocacy that was now being offered was an enormous asset and invaluable as plans for future accommodation had to quickly progress. 

OPA’s role was to ensure that the residents’ wishes and preferences were at the centre of the process of finding them appropriate accommodation.

Parity Magazine - June 2021

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