By DANIELLE GALVIN
THE multi-million dollar Millhaven Lodge in Pakenham is something the community can be proud of.
It was the official opening of the new facility on Friday and Cardinia shire councillors, members of the board, staff, life members and well-known Pakenham people, including Federal MP Russell Broadbent, turned out for the opening of the new home for the elderly.
Board president Paul Arnold welcomed guests in what was an exciting start of the future of the facility.
“Today’s the day, this is sincerely an honour and a privilege,” Mr Arnold said.
“Millhaven is owned by the community, it is run as a not-for-profit.
“This is a place to be proud of.”
Life member and treasurer Michael Bishop said the hospital was established in 1926 in Rogers Street and it would have been the “pride of place” in Pakenham at the time.
He said the board “went out on a limb” to undertake the multi-million dollar refurbishment to the nursing home.
“Pakenham should be very proud – not because it looks good on the outside, but because it will work well on the inside,” Mr Bishop said.
Mr Broadbent said there was a continuing need to provide aged care facilities for the ageing population.
He paid tribute to Bernard ‘Bunny’ Drake and his work with the hospital and said it was good that the residents “most precious to us in their ageing years” would be so well catered for.
“This has given us something to be proud of,” he said.
Following the speeches, guests were invited to tour the state-of-the art facility and check out the new rooms and buildings.
Residents also toured the new facility and said it was “beautiful” and modern.
