How George Drivas is ensuring The Forgotten Women of Brisbane are forgotten no longer

by Martin Moodie |
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Martin Moodie

Martin Moodie

Martin Moodie is the Founder & Chairman of The Moodie Report.

Question. What group represents the fastest-growing homeless population in Australia today?

Answer – and this may and should surprise you – women over 55.

I discovered that unpalatable fact when perusing a LinkedIn post by Airport Retail Group (Australia) Director George Drivas.

George is one of the airport food & beverage sector’s brightest, most entrepreneurial talents (he started in the catering business, believe it or not, at the ripe old age of 12) – something you will learn more about when I publish a fascinating recent interview with him in coming days.

But perhaps the only element relating to food & beverage within his LinkedIn post was about the lack of it for the group in question.

George Drivas with me at Airport Retail Group’s excellent The Aviary Café & Bar in Brisbane Airport’s Domestic Terminal during my recent visit

Before I donate to any cause – and I am happy to say that in this case I did – I like to read more about it. What I discovered shocked me.

I’ll let George take up the story. “Did you know in greater Brisbane over 700 women over 55 are currently facing hardships? Referred to as the hidden homeless, these women may be living in cars, couch surfing or facing threats of violence, among other challenges,” he writes.

“This year, Airport Retail Group Australia is proudly sponsoring and participating in the Live Like Her Challenge (#LLHC2024) once again – an event where over 365 individuals, including myself, will spend a night sleeping in our cars to raise awareness and funds.

“If you’re able, I’d love for you to support this cause by donating to my fundraising page,” George concludes. “Every little bit helps and can make a real difference.”

There are more than 40,000 Queensland women over the age of 55 who are, in the words of The Forgotten Women, “doing it tough”.

Tough in the sense of suffering financial hardship driven by rising living costs. Tough in terms of lack of employment. Tough due to limited or no superannuation. And tough, most of all, because of a lack of affordable housing options.

Alarmingly, the project’s website reveals, recent forecasts predict that this figure is set to double by 2036.

According to event organiser, The Forgotten Women, women experiencing homelessness are significantly less visible and identifiable than their male counterparts, often being described as the ‘hidden homeless’. Vulnerable older women are more likely to be staying with friends, living in a car or physically ‘hiding’.

​The Forgotten Women is a unique, grassroots housing initiative for homeless women over 55. Its admirable mission is to put a roof over the heads of as many of these vulnerable women as possible.

Through the acquisition of suitable properties, The Forgotten Women project will ensure these women have access to secure, safe and affordable housing options that enable them to age inside their own place and in peace.

​To help change the lives of homeless women over 55, The Forgotten Women is urging Brisbane to come together to take on the Live Like Her Challenge on 5 September.

George Drivas is leading by example. I’m happy to help him ensure The Forgotten Women are no longer so. Please consider joining me. ✈

*You can support George’s effort here.