From left: Federal Minister for Ageing Christopher Pyne, Residential Aged Services chairman Neil Batt and McMillan MP Russell Broadbent at the opening of Willow View Aged Care on Tuesday.
By Casey Neill
PAKENHAM’S newest aged care facility was officially opened this week.
More than 100 people attended the opening of the Willow View Aged Care centre by Federal Minister for Ageing Christopher Pyne, including residents and their families.
The 90-bed facility in McGregor Road includes 30 government-funded beds for low-level aged care, and 60 for private residents.
Mr Pyne said Willow View was a particularly high-quality facility.
“Willow View is a shining example of what can be achieved in aged care facilities,” he said.
Mr Pyne said the area had a high need for aged care places as a large percentage of its population was over 65.
“There is an enormous demand for aged care services in Gippsland and this part of Victoria,” he said.
More than 15 per cent of residents living in the McMillan electorate are aged 65 or over, higher than the average for Victorian rural electorates.
McMillan MP Russell Broadbent said the centre was an important part of the range of facilities available in the area.
“It’s a great facility, very well set out and very comfortable,” he said.
Mr Broadbent’s mother-in-law, Marj Webster, has moved into the facility, which has lounge and dining areas, a chapel/spiritual room, hairdressing salon, billiard table and bar area, and a library.
With a significant increase in Australia’s aged population expected over the coming years, several new retirement villages have opened or are under construction in Pakenham and around Cardinia Shire.
Willow View will also set up a 22-bed dementia wing in the next 12 months, in consultation with dementia specialists.
