By Kath Gannaway
Olive Blyde and husband Merv have the home they worked and planned for.
Olive was one of a number of speakers at a special celebration at AdventCare Yarra Ranges aged care facility in Warburton on Thursday, 23 March.
“We have watched with interest the ups and downs of this place, and we are so happy with what has happened,” Olive said following reports announced by AdventCare Victoria’s CEO David Reece and Chairman of AdventCare Victoria, pastor Graeme Christian, on progress of redevelopment of the facility.
Mr Reece said the east wing would be finished by October, taking the number of beds to 29, with the next round of construction scheduled to finish by May 2018, taking the total number of beds to 42.
The announcement was met with resounding applause from the residents, their families, staff and community and church members who worked tirelessly last year to ensure the facility stays open.
Olive and Merv were ready last year to move to a higher level of care from their independent units that are part of the AdventCare complex.
They held their nerve as the community and AVC board negotiated their way forward with the announcement late last year that the facility would stay.
Olive said they were on the master planning committee that decided in 1976 to build the units and the hostel, and had volunteered for many years as weekend supervisors for the hostel residents.
“We are so happy that the place has been saved, and we will happily live here.
“We’re so pleased with the standard of care that is offered here,” she said, thanking everyone who had lobbied for them and other residents.
Pastor Christian also thanked those involved, and said it was good to see the progress being made.
“Thanks for the staff and residents and family members who have hung in there through what has been a difficult period of time while we have been searching for a direction for the future and finding a way forward,” he said.
He thanked others from the church committee to Yarra Ranges Council and the Warburton and Yarra Junction Bendigo Community banks, who, he said, had all played a vital role in gaining a positive outcome, demonstrating the level of broader community support.
He had a special thanks for the building team led by Jeff Rippingale.
Mr Christian announced the formation of a Yarra Ranges support auxiliary made up of community members and groups.
Cr Jim Child spoke of the cradle to the grave philosophy of the local Seventh-day Adventist community that was behind the establishment of the facility and included in his thanks to those involved in the campaign, appreciation for the work of Peta Godenzi from Warburton Valley Ceda who, he said, had been a strong and persistent lobby group.
“It was tough and emotional at times expressing the community’s views,” he said.
He said the town depends on the ongoing operation of the facility in so many ways from local commerce to employment, and most importantly, providing ongoing aged-care in Upper Yarra.
On behalf of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Warburton, Dot Carvill said they were extremely grateful for the support.
“We’re pleased the board saw their way clear to say ‘yes, you will have a facility going way into the future’,” she said.
Warburton Community Bank chair Peter Kimberley spoke next, saying it was a no-brainer that they should support the ongoing presence of the facility in the town.
“I know the heart of this facility is not bricks and mortar” he said.
“At the heart of this is the environment that is created here, and the care of the residents.”
He said the contribution was significant, and crucial to the final decision.
“It is one of the biggest (sponsorships) ever done, and one of the best we’ve ever done and we’re proud to be part of the way forward.”
Mr Reece said it was critical now that the whole Yarra Valley community sees Warburton as part of the solution to aged-care needs in the valley.
As the facility makes it way toward a full complement of more than 40 beds, its viability will be dependent on just how many of those beds are in use.
The facility is available and welcoming to people of all denominations.
He said respite care was available and urged people to give manager Colleen Hilbert a ring to arrange for a visit, or a stay.
