Archbishop blesses Anglicare aged care facilities
News
The Brisbane Diocese’s mission of providing love and support in communities comes to fruition with the official opening of two aged care homes and a retirement village community centre
The Archbishop of Brisbane the Most Rev’d Dr Phillip Aspinall recently blessed and opened two Anglicare Southern Queensland aged care facilities and a retirement village community centre, which builds on the Diocese’s commitment to providing high quality and specialist care and facilities for the ageing.
The E.M. Tooth Residential Aged Care home at Manly was a $16 million project, which saw the refurbishment of 64-bed facilities, including bedrooms/ensuites, kitchen, laundry, and staff facilities, and added 37 new beds, including secure dementia beds.
On the north side of Brisbane, a new $26 million residential aged care facility replaced the old Symes Grove home at Taigum, which was outdated and had outlived its practical use. It contains 105 registered beds, including 22 cottage-care dementia beds.
The original site was purchased through funds from a bequest from Phillip James Symes (1866-1957), a leading Queensland businessman and philanthropist.
Archbishop Phillip Aspinall cutting the ceremonial cake with Symes Grove resident Myra Crossan at the facility’s opening on 27 February 2019. Symes Grove home is complete with 105 rooms and three memory support cottages, providing 24/7 nursing support, allied health and social support to older members of our community.
The Archbishop also officiated at the opening of the $7 million The Village Taigum Community Centre, developed by Anglicare in partnership with The Village Retirement Group.
The centre is one of Australia’s largest retirement community centres.
Archbishop Aspinall said the Taigum centre provided a critically important sense of belonging for residents and of being connected with, and valued by, others.
“Village Taigum intentionally fosters that sense of community, not least through these community facilities we open and bless today,” he said.
“Respecting privacy, fostering interaction and supportive relationships among all who will call the Village home, are really important.
“Anglicare, and the Anglican Church, would also want to say that as well as a social dimension, there’s an important spiritual dimension to ageing. Yes, it’s crucial to live peacefully in relationship with neighbours in community.
“But it’s just as important to live at peace and in relationship with God. In fact relationship with God often comes to the fore as people age. Nurturing, resourcing and supporting that relationship are also part of what’s been created here.”
Anglicare Southern Queensland Executive Director, Karen Crouch said the centre was an amazing addition to The Village Taigum as it would enhance the residents’ retirement living experience.
“The facilities are second to none and we at Anglicare are very proud and humbled to be able to support people to live independently in such a wonderful community,” she said.
“Our partnership with The Village Retirement Group has been excellent in bringing to fruition a centre that is a wonderful space for fellowship and friendship.
“Its proximity to our two nearby residential aged care homes, Symes Grove and St Martin’s, also means that local people can access continuity of care throughout their retirement years without having to leave the community they know and love.”
The Village Retirement Group Managing Director, Justin Harrison said The Village Taigum was the fifth village in the company’s portfolio and featured architecturally designed villas setting a new benchmark for the industry.
“We are proud to work with Anglicare Southern Queensland to develop this amazing community and entertainment centre for the wonderful people who call The Village Taigum home,” he said.
“Delivered on time and on budget, this community centre enables our residents to have an amazing lifestyle in retirement.”
The Village Retirement Group Managing Director, Justin Harrison and Anglicare Southern Queensland Executive Director, Karen Crouch at the opening of The Village Taigum Community Centre on 1 March 2019
The 2500 sqm community centre boasts outstanding facilities, including:
- Bowling green and bocce rink
- 45-seat cinema
- 20 metre heated swimming pool
- Library
- Craft room
- Billiard and darts games
- Outlook bar
- Fully equipped gymnasium and adjoining dance/movement room
- Health and wellness consulting rooms
- Hairdresser
- Club lounge bar
- BBQ area with four BBQs and a pizza oven
- Indoor and outdoor dining options
- Fully equipped commercial grade kitchen
- Coffee shop
