Garden Oaks Fine Accommodation (GOFA) is a partnership registered in British Columbia to meet a variety of housing needs in the Capital Region. Over recent years, we have consolidated operations into four adjacent properties in Victoria's Oaklands neighbourhood. 

With international careers in governance, knowledge management and health systems, partners Robert Tornack and John James O'Brien are now happily returned to the Oaklands neighbourhood of Victoria.  Our ethos is community building and John and Rob continue to find ways to give back. 

Past board roles include the Information and Records Management Association, BC Schizophrenia Society-Victoria Branch, Institute of Certified Records Managers, Knowledge Management Society of Hong Kong, the Thai-Canadian Chamber of Commerce, and the Oaklands Community Association where John served as Parks Chair and Treasurer. Rob is currently representative on the Community Engaged Learning Committee for the University of Victoria's CEL Program where the focus is on creating opportunities for practical application of academic studies.

Valued experiences include the opening of four gardens in support of the Victoria Hospice Society, helping to raise $11,000 in just one day in 2013. Rob is the garden artist while John is an artist and board secretary of the annual Greater Fernwood Art Stroll. GOFA gardens are open to the public during the two-day stroll.

Over the last seven years, John and Rob have led the Oaklands Rise Woonerf initiative to create a "people first" residential environment through placemaking, public art, musical events and more. In September 2023, they were honoured to be among those recognized by the City of Victoria as Community Champions. It was meaningful to pass forward this honour to two community champions from Fernwood in 2024.