THE doors are finally open at Columbia Aged Care Services in Oberon after many years in the planning.
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The official opening will be held on Friday, with more than 200 people expected to attend.
In 2008 Oberon formed an Aged Care Committee and the fight took on huge momentum, especially when Oberon missed out on the first round of Federal Government zero interest loans for an aged care facility.
At a meeting attended by the then local government members, Member for Macquarie Bob Debus, Member for Bathurst Gerard Martin, Anne Tucker from Columbia Aged Care Services and Trish Strachan from GWAHS, Mr Debus announced that an independent study would be carried out to assess Oberon’s need for an aged care facility.
Members of the community were encouraged to write letters about their situations to politicians.
In 2009 Oberon residents were encouraged to fill out a survey which gathered data to gauge the aged care needs at present and in the future.
At a community meeting in 2009, Mark Boffa unveiled plans for a proposed 88 bed facility and the criteria for low and high care accommodation.
In December 2012 Oberon Health Council met with Columbia Aged Care Services’ Anne Tucker, who explained a deposit had been paid to council for the land and settlement was expected soon and plans for a state-of-the-art facility would then be lodged with council.
In May 2013 a large crowd gathered at the site of Oberon’s new aged care facility for the “turning of the sod”.
In June 2013 an official signing of contracts between Columbia Aged Care Services, Oberon Council and Zadro Constructions saw Oberon’s 66 bed aged care facility come closer to fruition.
Last week clients from Hathaway Cottages were transferred to the new facility.
Care facility manager Christine Monaghan said they would gradually build up the number of residents but they will take care and time in this client transition process.
At full capacity the facility will have 50 plus staff members.
THIS week marks a significant event for our community with the Columbia Aged Care Facility in Oberon opening its doors ready to care for our elderly residents.
The opening is a credit to the many people who have been involved in lobbying for improved aged care services in the Oberon area for more than a decade.
I have been reflecting on the journey that the Oberon community has been on to get us to this point.
It has taken an amazing effort from many people, including former mayors Keith Sullivan and Don Fitzpatrick and the late Cr Bob Hooper.
Columbia Homes Director, Anne Tucker has been with us every step of the way.
For many years, the council, the Oberon Aged Care Committee and the community lobbied hard to see enough bed licences allocated to Oberon to allow this facility to be built and to service the needs of this area.
The Oberon Aged Care Committee have had many members throughout the years and they have never wavered in their efforts to see the needs of the Oberon elderly residents met.
- Mayor John McMahon