NEWS DESK
Andrew Kerr plans moves for young and old Keith Platt keith@mpnews.com.au THE state government is giving $500,000 towards an educational centre where the old and the young can learn together. The intergenerational learning centre is being established at Andrew Kerr Care in Tanti Avenue, Mornington by The Herd ILC, run by sisters Anna and Fiona Glumac. The announcement was made by the government three days before the Andrew Kerr board said it was recommending that the aged care centre’s business and assets be transferred to Uniting AgeWell, which is owned by the Uniting Church. The Andrew Kerr board said the “difficult decision” followed significant changes which started about three years ago in the residential aged care industry. “The previous era of relative stability and certainty where revenue streams and costs were predictable and waitlists of potential residents ensured financial sustainability have quickly changed,” the board’s statement reads. “Firstly, an influx of new providers, greater investment into state-of-the-art facilities and technology together with government funding policy changes have put pressure on existing providers. “Secondly, the federal government established the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety and its findings [due in February] are expected to drive higher standards and stronger compliance requirements adding significant operating costs to providers “Then came COVID-19 which, to
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ÄNDREW Kerr Care at the corner of Barkly Street and Tanti Avenue, Mornington is facing significant changes with the introduction of an intergenerational learning centre and new management. Picture: Gary Sissons keep everyone safe, physically and mentally, has required more resources in residential aged care facilities.” The board said that Andrew Kerr Care would keep its name, although staff would be employed by Uniting AgeWell. There was no expectation for existing managers to leave “however this will depend on the personal decisions of the staff involved”. The board said business assessments, “together with the future uncertainty of COVID-19 pandemic conditions which may continue into the foreseeable future, has reinforced [its] view that entering into a partnership with a larger organisation with more resources
would be very prudent”. It said the 90-day transition, if agreed to by members at a meeting next month (February) and the government, would not affect service delivery. The state government’s $500,000 will go towards construction of a 66-place intergenerational learning centre run by The Heard where children and aged care residents can come together five days a week for such activities as art, music, lunch, storytelling and visiting. In a news release Early Childhood Minister Ingrid Stitt said The Herd “offers children unique opportunities to become part of an extended family; to learn about the ageing process; to ac-
cept people with disabilities; and to be involved with people who are two or three generations apart”. Aged-care residents would benefit from the frequent interaction with children; physical activity in playing with the children; and “opportunities to play, laugh and enjoy the spirt and joy that children bring to their home environment”. The project would help meet demand for three-and four-year-old kindergartens in the Mornington area. Construction of the centre is expected to start in February and be finished midyear.
Call for volunteers MOUNT Martha Fire Brigade wants volunteers for its brigade support team. The team meets at the fire station on Thursday mornings where it is arranged into groups to handle such duties as checking street fire hydrants to ensure active firefighters get quick access to water should they be called to an incident in the area. Another major role is to implement the CFA’s Fire Safe Kids program which educates children aged 4-8 at all Mt Martha kindergartens and primary schools. The aim is to help them understand what to do in an emergency situation and, especially, not to panic. Children are also taught to call 000 and who to ask for. The brigade also carries out staging duties where support teams set up an area to accommodate crews attending large bushfires; book trucks and firefighters into a central area where they can be organised into task forces to fight the fires; and arrange food and sleeping areas for long-term deployment. To find out more visit the fire station, 6 Latrobe Drive, Mount Martha 9am-11am Thursdays.
Fatal at Flinders A FLINDERS man died after his car hit a tree in Flinders last week. The man, 75, was driving alone on Mornington-Flinders Road when his car left the road, struck a tree and caught fire, 4pm, Friday 22 January. He died at the scene. Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash and ask anyone who saw it or who has dashcam footage to contact them at Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000 or crimestoppersvic.com.au
PLANNING ON TRAVELLING INTERSTATE ?
ALL VICTORIANS RE-ENTERING VICTORIA WILL NEED A PERMIT
To help stop the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19), all Victorians travelling interstate must apply for a permit to re-enter Victoria.
Do not travel to a red zone. To find out whether your destination is in a red, orange, or green zone, visit CORONAVIRUS.vic.gov.au Authorised by the Victorian Government, Melbourne
Mornington News
26 January 2021
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