Old Colonists' Club Ballarat 3.27

The origins of the Ballarat Old Colonists’ Association can be traced back to 1867 when James Oddie instigated a reunion of early gold miners. The group was known initially as the Golden Point Old Pioneers Association and later simply as the Ballarat Pioneers Association. The miners initially met on an ad hoc basis for social purposes and in 1883 meetings were formalised becoming the formal beginning. The name was changed over and finally to its current ‘The Old Colonists’ Association of Ballarat’.

The Old Colonists’ Association (OCA) remains as the philanthropic charitable organisation
providing accommodation for elderly people. In the 1920's Charles Anderson Grove was
established where today twenty seven homes are available (constructed in stages between 1923 and 1983) with each Independent Living Unit identified by a name plate referencing the benefactor. Accommodation is offered at significantly below market rates. The Association has been providing low cost accommodation to the elderly since the 1920s.

The OCA Board oversees the running of this facility on a voluntary basis. The OCA is a Public Benevolent Institution with the
Australian Tax Office Deductible Gift Recipient Status.