Historical information

The Old Colonists' Association Ballarat Inc. (OCA) is a not-for-profit charitable organisation providing accommodation for those older Australians who are in financial need and risk, with no ingoing payment required and at a low rental. It manages a 42 Home retirement village at Charles Anderson Grove Ballarat. The village comprises single and double independent living units. Accommodation is offered at significantly below market rates. It has been providing low-cost accommodation to the elderly since the 1920s. The Association Council overseas the running of this facility on a voluntary basis.
One of the first objectives of the Association was "to provide the shelter of a house for those Pioneers of the Goldfields whom the reverses of fortune have deprived of the means of procuring the comforts of life in their declining years." The first home at Charles Anderson Grove was built in 1925. Before that time the Association provided relief for needy pioneers. Relief included monthly monetary payments, loads of firewood, medical assistance and distribution of Christmas boxes of groceries to deserving pensioners, and in some cases payment of burial costs.

Physical description

A written report into the history of the Williams Cottage at 3 Charles Anderson 2021