Race against clock

By Lia Bichel
Two workers were scheduled to work at Casey Manor on Ormond Road on Friday evening, but by 4am Saturday, about 20 staff were working to ensure all 45 elderly residents were taken to safer grounds.
General manager Cameron McPherson said the staff followed the centre’s evacuation plan and had residents transported to nearby hospitals and aged care homes.
“Within a minute, there was a flash flood and water was up to people’s waists,” Mr McPherson said.
“From 8.30pm to 4am, we had a full complement of staff. Residents were in a panic and a little stressed out, but the staff knew what they were doing and put the residents’ minds at ease. The way they dealt with it was fantastic.”
Mr McPherson said he was proud and humbled by the hard work of his staff.
Elderly residents remain in hospitals and aged care facilities throughout Casey, while Casey Manor staff have the gruelling task of cleaning up the floods.
“We need to rip up the carpets and upholstery, replace the building fabrication, which was damaged, and make sure the place is free of infection and bacteria. It could take weeks,” Mr McPherson said.
“We have a lot of help at the moment, but it’s obviously up to the trades people to address each problem when they can.”
Mr McPherson said the business had insurance but believed many residents may have lost valuables and items which were irreplaceable.
“We haven’t gone through every person’s room yet, but certainly people lost belongings and maybe photos,” he said.
Ambulance Victoria helped evacuate residents from storm-damaged nursing homes at Mentone, Narre Warren and Werribee, as well as 50 patients from Kooweerup Hospital as floodwaters threatened the town. Ambulance Victoria Operations Manager Paul Holman reminded people in flood affected areas to be prepared by having their medications and medical records handy in case of evacuation.
“It is important for people to be able to manage their own medication while they are out of home,” Mr Holman said.