They built our community

They planted the trees under whose shade they may never sit. They laid bricks for our schools, roads, and homes. They raised generations, served our country, and built the community we now enjoy.

But sadly, they don’t always benefit from their hard work because today they are left behind feeling invisible unsafe and uncertain about where they will rest their head tomorrow. 

This isn't a social issue. It’s a moral one.

A generation that gave everything
Our seniors are the very foundation of Australia's history. From post-war reconstruction to modern innovation, they’ve carried burdens we now only read about in history books. They endured rationing, rebuilt shattered cities, and fought for fairness and opportunity. They started small businesses, volunteered at local clubs, mentored young workers, and watched over our neighbourhoods. 

And what do they ask for now? No, not wealth. Not indulgence. Just dignity, safety, and a place to call home. 

The harsh reality: A crisis in safety and shelter
For too many older Australians, such as myself, those basic human rights are under threat. Every night, an increasing number of seniors, many of them women, sleep in their cars, on couches, or in emergency shelters. Not because they made poor choices, but the cost of housing has outpaced their means.

Why is this happening in 2025? The statistics are very alarming. According to recent studies, homelessness among older Australians is rising fast. Again, I ask whys this happening in 2025? And for every person in crisis housing, there are countless more living in anxiety, one rent hike or unexpected bill away from displacement. Beyond shelter, safety is a growing concern. Seniors face risk of abuse, neglect, and isolation. Without respect and proper representation, their voices go unheard. 

Respect is not optional
Respect isn't just about using polite language; it's about policy, it's about action. It's how we as a nation choose to care for those who spent decades caring for us. Respect means ensuring no senior is left to choose between heating their home or buying groceries. Respect means designing cities that are accessible, communities
that are inclusive, and a health system that treats aging not as a burden but as a stage of life worthy of care and reverence. Afterall, everyone fortunate enough eventually gets old and becomes a senior themselves. Respect means ensuring housing is not a luxury but a basic human right. 

Seniors still have so much to give
Let us not forget older Australians are not relics of the past. They are vibrant members of our present. They volunteer, vote, babysit grandchildren, run businesses, create art, and enrich our culture every single day. They are the heart of our communities and the keepers of our collective wisdom. We fail to protect them, we not only dishonor their legacy, we weaken the very soul of our society. 

What must we do?
We must invest in more affordable senior-friendly housing, secure, well-located, and integrated within our communities. We must fund programs that prevent elder abuse, support mental health, and strengthen our connection. We must give seniors a real seat at the table in government, in planning and in public discourse. And we must teach younger generations that aging is not something to fear or dismiss, but something to honour. 

A country worth growing old in
Imagine an Australia where every elder is cherished. Where they can walk their neighbourhoods without fear. Where they can afford a warm bed, nutritious meals, and timely healthcare. Where they are not only safe but valued. That vision is not beyond our reach. But it requires commitment, compassion, and a fierce resolve. Because they built this country. And now it's our turn to build a country worth growing old in. 

Our seniors deserve more than words. They deserve our action. Let this be our generation’s promise: We see you. We thank you. And we will not rest until every elder in Australia has the dignity, safety, and home they so richly earned.

Article by NSA member, Paisley Soul-Flower, who has found affordable, safe, and welcoming accommodation at Travellers Haven Backpackers, Mount Isa, Queensland.