Media Centre

Morwell's aged have a new place to call home

Publish Date: 30/09/2008
Author: Marketing and Communications Dept.

Baptcare aims to reach individuals in the community who are in need, which is why it committed the resources to re-build regional aged care facility, St Hilary's from the group up. The new home was proudly re-opened on the 11th of September by Federal Member for Gippsland, Darren Chester.

The event featured local music talents such as Paddy O’ Dowd, who entertained more than 80 guests with singing and saxophone, and music students from Kurnai College gave solo and group performances.

The re-opening symbolised a new beginning for St Hilary’s Community; and many local attendees were grateful to see the former hospital still in operation and serving the local community.

In 2007 St Hilary’s Community was demolished to make way for a brand new facility on the existing site which now provides 51 high and low care beds - 21 more than the previous facility.

The completion of the St Hilary’s development was a significant event for Baptcare as it marks the final phase of a construction program that began over a decade ago to transform all Baptcare homes into residential ‘facilities of excellence’.

St Hilary’s Community is the only high care facility in Morwell, and the quick re-development of the site was a priority for Baptcare to ensure that the 21 extra beds were available to the  Latrobe Valley community as soon as possible to ease the pressures on waiting lists.

The additional beds will have flow on benefits for the local community, such as creating more jobs. Baptcare's priority is to employ local people in these positions.

The former St Hilary’s building was originally a private hospital run by two sisters who cared for 12 patients. Since then the building has been transformed several times and been used as housing for patients and hospitals. In 1989 the building was converted into a nursing home and Baptcare acquired the facility in 1997.