Storm shuts aged care home

Storm closes aged care facility

by Liz Clark

Over the years, the locals have called the aged care facility in Anglesea many different names – the Nursing Home, the Hostel, Anglesea Aged Care, Blue Cross, Japara, and now Cordelia Grove. Massive storms in January caused widespread flooding and damage. As many residents know, a wild storm swept through Anglesea on Friday 28 January, following a night of continual thunder, lightning and heavy rain. Many older members of the community are saying this was the worst storm they have ever seen in the area. Torrents of water swept down nearby streets and into the driveway at Cordelia Grove Residential Aged Care, advancing rapidly into the building and causing extreme flooding in the facility. Extensive floor and carpeted areas, which had been renovated late last year, were totally under water. All residents were safely evacuated with the assistance of staff and volunteers from the community, SES, local police and emergency services. It was fortunate that Calvary Health Care, the current health provider, has a number of facilities within the Torquay and Geelong area and was able to provide a safe transition for the residents. Staff were proud of the way they managed to move almost 60 residents safely and efficiently throughout the emergency. Speaking to residents, I have heard much praise for the calmness, professionalism and versatility they witnessed on what was quite a frightening afternoon for them. The residents of Cordelia Grove did not deserve another disaster in their lives. However, despite the uncertainties and difficulties being forced on them, there has been a sense of positivity and thankfulness. The ongoing clean up at Cordelia Grove means residents should return to their familiar rooms and belongings before too long.

A community builds a dream

In 1994 the Anglesea Lions Club initiated a feasibility study into the establishment of a hostel/respite amenity in Anglesea for the aged and persons with disabilities, as part of the ongoing services of the Lions Village, and in light of the growing number of ageing residents in town. There was overwhelming local support for such a project. The original name proposed by the local Wathaurong people was ‘Altjera’, meaning where the old people lived’. The first priority was to find suitable land. The require‐ment for a large enough area to cope with the facility, car parking space, accessible services and proximity to town amenities left few options. The Health Department chose the current site in Weir Street as the only one suitable. In 1996, purchase of the land was enabled through the Surf Coast Shire with a short-term loan of $20,000 from the Commonwealth Bank, Life Governorships and Life Memberships and donations from the local Lions/ Lionesses clubs and the general public. Funding the building of the hostel was a huge challenge. A plan to open an opportunity shop in Anglesea to fund the new amenity was facilitated by Brian and Betty Butterworth who made suitable premises available in the shopping centre to get started. Under the skilful leadership of Betty Butterworth, local volunteers including members of the Lions and Lionesses clubs began collecting and selling goods to make this dream a reality. Work commenced on site in 1998. Approval was received from the Department of Human Services for construction of a 32-bed hostel for Supported Residential Services Care in October 1998. The complex was to be leased to a registered organisation approved by the Department. While this gave the Lions Village the right to build the facility, it did not provide any capital funding or in-bed subsidy from either State or Commonwealth governments. As with any project, there were those who loved the idea and those who opposed it, but vision and determination drove the project and allowed for its eventual completion after many stressful months and continual frustrations. The opportunity shop and warehouse were extremely successful. Volunteers worked for seven years to raise $585,300 (Op Shop) and $57,4000 (warehouse). This money covered the purchase of the land and the costs for all the development and works on the hostel site, with some remaining for further expenses at the nursing home. Opening day for the facility was 12 November 2005. On 12 April 2006 on behalf of the Lions Village Anglesea, Betty Butterworth presented Blue Cross Management with a hefty cheque, sufficient to buy a 12seater bus, furnish the main lounge area and to purchase a piano. It is a source of great pride that the untiring work and dedication of so many willing volunteers produced this wonderful aged care facility in our town.