BUPA Wodonga is home for more than 60 frail and aged residents.
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And yesterday they and their loved ones, staff and management welcomed visitors to a new centre that has replaced Wodonga’s first nursing home, Osburn Lodge.
Pam Walsh, 73, who with her husband, Rich, 79, has been at Bupa for two years, praised the centre’s 120 staff and its homely atmosphere.
“We are all family and friends here,” she said.
“The nurses are the best you could find.
“We are looked after well and kindly.
“This is home to us, so welcome to our home.”
The former member for Benambra, Lou Lieberman, opened Osburn Lodge 32 years ago.
At the time, he was the Victorian Minister for Planning and assistant Health Minister.
Yesterday, the retired state and federal MP joined Bupa regional director, Robyn Lynch, at the new centre’s opening.
Mr Lieberman said a new resident at Osborn Lodge had taken him aside at its opening.
“She was about 90-plus at the time and told me: ‘young man, don’t forget to eat your vegies and you’ll be around for a long time’,” he said.
“You can judge for yourself whether I took her advice.”
Osburn Lodge opened in Osburn Street in 1980. It was in the former St Augustine’s high school building and had 30 residents and 20 staff.
Mr Lieberman said Australia at that time was not known for its care of the elderly but was starting to realise its importance.
He paid tribute to the vision and entrepreneurship of the late Max Beck who developed Osburn Lodge.
And he praised Bupa’s record of care and investment in new centres.
“I suppose in 1980 I sent out a challenge to do better by our elderly, to strive for improvement,” he said.
“This is an example of what has happened as a result of that challenge.”
Ms Lynch said Bupa was proud to have developed single, en suite accommodation for 114 residents at its Melrose Drive centre, providing high, low and specialist dementia care, several couple or companion suites, library, dining room, cafe, salon and quiet spaces.
She said staff had moved all residents to the new centre from Osburn Street in December in a carefully orchestrated exercise.
“Residents breakfasted at Osburn Street and celebrated their arrival at their new home at lunch,” Ms Lynch said.
“We have increased our staff from 80 to 120, providing more employment and training opportunities within a tradition of care excellence.
“That is valued by our organisation which understands the rich history of our residents.
“Care for the elderly is vitally important and our links to the past provide bridges to the future.”