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60 years of aged care
Anglican Care celebrates milestone with dinner and tributes.
By Patrick Avenell
Anglican Care celebrated the 60th anniversary of opening its first residential home, in Booragul, 20 kilometres south of Newcastle, in late May.
That first parcel of land was purchased by the Anglican Diocese in 1944 for £ 1100( about $ 75,000 in today’ s money) and converted over time into the inaugural home for aged care by Charles Arthur Brown and his team. Current chief executive Colin Osborne paid tribute to Brown and the dedicated staff who have worked at Anglican Care since.
“ An organisation is only as strong as its people,” Osborne said.“ Anglican Care is, and always has been, extremely fortunate to have a staff of caring and nurturing people to facilitate and deliver the services to our aged community. I truly believe it is
milestones like these that say a great deal about Anglican Care and who we are as a provider of care and services to the aged.”
Anglican Care continues to focus on the Hunter and mid-northern regions of New South Wales. It has facilities in Booragul, Carey Bay, Toronto, Merewether, Jesmond, Mount Hutton, Tenambit, Warnervale and Taree, and will soon be expanding into Gloucester.
There was a series of events held to toast the anniversary, including a formal dinner, high teas and church services.
“ There’ s no real secret to Anglican Care’ s success,” Osborne said.” The reality is that we continually strive for excellence in standards and delivery of care services. We don’ t just aim to meet the needs of our growing aged population; we endeavour to surpass them at every opportunity.” ■
ANGLICAN CARE MILESTONES 1944: Parcel of land purchased at Booragul for £ 1100
1955: Construction of first living units commenced
1956: Official opening of first home at Booragul( May 27)
1957: Women’ s Auxiliary is established( known as the Booragul Old Folks Women’ s Auxiliary) 1969: First public telephone installed 1970: New nursing home, therapy and dining rooms constructed
1976: Nurse call systems installed in nursing home and hostel 1983: New nursing home‘ Maria Frith
Lodge’ opened 1984: First office computer installed 1989: Newcastle earthquake – all buildings at Booragul damaged except for chapel
1984: Purchase of two Intracare villages at Toronto and Carey Bay
2005: Opening of Warnervale Gardens and acquisition of Scenic Lodge Merewether
2009: Demolition of existing facility and construction of new Scenic Lodge commences
2010: Broadband kiosks introduced, first introduction of iPads into lifestyle programs
2013: Amalgamation with Storm Retirement Village in Taree
2015: Transfer of Lake Macquarie Services to Anglican Care and acquisition of 60 licences in Gloucester
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12 agedcareinsite. com. au