On November 19, 2025, the Sydney Community Collaborative released the report, Older and Connected, authored by researchers Professor Michael Fine and Dr Bob Davidson. The report highlights the growing crisis of social isolation and loneliness among older people living in inner and south-eastern Sydney.
The Collaborative brings together leaders from five local organisations committed to improving the lives of older Australians. Key contributors include Janet Green, CEO of The Junction Neighbourhood Centre (JNC); Esta Chilas Paschalidis, CEO of Canterbury City Community Centre (4Cs); Dina Petrakis, CEO of Ethnic Community Services; and Jacquie Oong, Manager of Aged Services, alongside Elaine Macnish, CEO of Newtown Neighbourhood Centre. Representing Inner Sydney Voice are Joseph Ferrer and Marika Kontellis, who play a coordinating role in the Collaborative.
Together, this partnership combined expertise, local knowledge, and a shared commitment to addressing the urgent challenge of social isolation among older people in Sydney.
The Growing Challenge of Isolation
The research confirms what many community organisations have observed: social isolation among older Australians is increasing at an alarming rate. While loneliness affects all age groups, older people remain a distinct and highly vulnerable population. The report warns that isolation has far-reaching consequences, not only for individuals but for society as a whole. It impacts physical and mental health, erodes social cohesion, and places significant financial strain on health and aged care systems.
Evidence from Australia and abroad shows that improving local social connections can delay or even prevent the need for costly aged care and health services. This makes addressing isolation not just a moral imperative but an economic one. The report argues that small, community-led interventions can have profound effects on wellbeing and reduce long-term government expenditure.
The report calls for coordinated investment from all levels of government to fund community-led solutions. It also proposes practical strategies such as outreach programs, group activities, and neighbourhood hubs to foster connection and belonging.
Why This Matters Now
The timing of this research is significant. Post-pandemic, many older Australians continue to experience reduced mobility and diminished social networks. At the same time, reforms to aged care have weakened entry-level services, leaving gaps in support for those who do not qualify for intensive care packages. Without intervention, these trends risk creating a “hidden epidemic” of loneliness that will burden health systems and diminish quality of life for thousands of seniors.
A Call to Action
The Sydney Community Collaborative’s report is more than an academic exercise—it is a blueprint for change. By investing in local, place-based initiatives, governments can, not only improve the lives of older Australians, but also achieve long-term savings in health and aged care.
This research underscores a simple truth: connection matters. For older people, being part of a community is not a luxury—it is a lifeline. The challenge now is to turn these findings into action, ensuring that every older person has the opportunity to live not just longer, but better connected, supported, and valued.
