Michaela Meade
Whittlesea senior citizens will be able to maintain their independence, meet friends and stay connected at a new social support services centres under construction in Mernda.
Yan Yean MP Danielle Green recently turned the centre’s first sod.
The project received $1.24 million from the 2020-21 round of the state government’s Growing Suburbs Fund, with Whittlesea council matching the amount.
Ms Green said the facility was necessary for the growing community.
“When Mernda was first established, there were 1200 people on the electoral roll… that’s now at 50,000,” Ms Green said.
“I think more than anything, we’re even more passionate about what we want in terms of aged care [than before].
“We age better when we age in place.”
Council administrator Peita Duncan said the facility is expected to be completed in September next year and will have an “enormous impact” on the community’s senior citizens.
“The [centre] will make a real difference to the day-to-day lives of our city’s older residents and provide carers with crucial respite,” Ms Duncan said.
“The three-room 75-place facility located next to the Mernda Village Community Activity Centre, aims to reduce social isolation by providing people that are frail, living with disability, memory loss (dementia), have limited mobility, and are 65 years and over, the opportunity to try new activities, establish links in the community and improve their overall health and wellbeing.”
Former aged care nurse and member of Doreen Seniors Group Terri Mackenzie said she welcomed the upcoming works.
“I retired to Doreen about 10 years ago and it worried me about the lack of facilities for seniors in this area,” Ms Mackenzie said.
“More importantly there was nothing for the carers. I could see people struggling that were looking after people but there was no support.
“After a lot of research and talking to councillors and politicians [the group] started a petition and formed a little group, Spotlight on Aged Care.
“We got around 2500 signatures.”
