North East Residents Celebrate Aminya Upgrade

Afer 16 months of construction, the upgrade to the May Shaw Aged Care Centre is complete with residents and staf joining Federal Member for Bass Bridget Archer to ofcially open the new facilities in late April.

Chair of the May Shaw Board Di Aldous said the new rooms ofer valley views of Scottsdale and others present with close access to the new courtyard area.

Te project includes upgraded amenities and new rooms designed with the latest in safety and accessibility features including wide doorways, lifing aids and fold-away seats in showers.

Te project also includes the move of 25 residents from the Tasmanian Health Service leased facilities (James Scott Wing) into the new site.

For Bridget Archer, the upgrades, partially funded by the Federal Government to the tune of $3 million, is the result of a joint efort.

“Securing the Aminya facility and getting this project of the ground was a collaborative efort between May Shaw and all three levels of government,” Mrs Archer said.

“Te new rooms and updated facilities and amenities are a great example of how older residents can be supported to age well in their later stages of life.”

My Community: Dorset by Zoe Bennett

My name is Zoe and I am one of the Activities, Programme and Events Coordinators at the Dorset Community House. I grew up in the Dorset area, then moved to Launceston to work in the live entertainment/event industry for fve years. Highlights include large concerts, youth events and working alongside several well-known children’s entertainers.

In 2020 I came home to start work with the Dorset Community House. I grew up in the Community House as my mum has been the playgroup coordinator for over 28 years so to come home was a welcomed change.

Part of my role here at the House is to coordinate activities, programmes and events, which when starting in March of 2020 was rather tricky as COVID was impacting our lives signifcantly. Having a technology background came in use as I was able to move these programmes and events online. Our focus also moved from providing inperson events to community support in the ways of supplies and referring key service providers. As the restrictions lifed my role evolved to what it is today.

Alongside my co-worker Kasha, I organise programmes, events and activities for the community and help the team with the day-to-day running of the House. No two days are ever the same. My focus area is youth and young people, so weekly visits to Winnaleah District High, School Holiday Programmes, future projects and grant applications are part of my weekly schedule. Being a young person myself I enjoy working in this area. In addition, Loaves and Fishes food relief is a key part of what I do.

We partner with Loaves and Fishes Tasmania to provide free food to the community. We have taken several creates of fresh produce from Loaves and Fishes to school canteens to give to students for free.

We are all for helping people no matter their circumstance. We are here for the community, not only limiting our support to those in despite need. We want to improve the quality of living for all in Dorset.

I do what I do here at the House as I have grown up in this area and have seen what good support like we provide can do. I want to help build into the next generation who now have the potential to be more resilient than any generation before.