Holmwood Aged Care officially opened its 38-room extension with Yarra Ranges Mayor Tony Stevenson.
Celebrations took place at the Healesville centre on Thursday 4 April, including speeches from Cr Stevenson and Holmwood’s Rob Wylie and live entertainment.
Resident David Fulton cut a ribbon and fellow resident June Cooper cut a celebratory cake.
Staff, residents and their family members, volunteers and special guests were in attendance.
The extension included a new entrance, administration and work areas, residential rooms with ensuites, a coffee hub, activities room, private dining room, lounge and dining area, hairdressing salon, an outdoor terrace and a landscaped court yard.
It’s known as Townsend after Nurse Melina Townsend, who came to Healesville in the 1920s and established a small hospital on the corner of Ryrie Street and Lilydale Road.
She was a well-respected midwife and a great friend and advisor to the local community.
The extension has doubled the size of the facility, not just in area but the number of residents and staff members.
Many staff are local and long-term team members – up to 20 years of service.
Facility manager Rachael Beever said one of Holmwood Aged Care’s values had and always would be family.
“The residents we care for become extended members of our family,” she said.
“Many of our residents and staff are related.
“We have staff whose grandparents are residents, staff whose parents are residents and staff who are mothers and daughters.”
Holmwood Aged Care has plans for a further dementia wing extension.
