Quirindi Care Services turns 51 and is stronger than ever
All of us know someone whose life was taken from them far before their time. So, we also know that growing old, is a privilege snatched from many. But it also comes with its challenges, including the need for support, love and care. In country towns, that’s rarely just delivered by family members. The magic happens when entire communities rally around their oldest members. That’s Quirindi Care Services in a nutshell.
In 1972, local Quirindi resident Ken Heath recognised this. He identified a need for aged care services in his local community and pursued it with relentless passion. In 1974 the Quirindi Retirement Homes Association was formed, following a public meeting of 63 people.
Malcolm Lobsey helped the clan of concerned citizen acquire the Uniting Church’s Elmswood site to build the facility. The community initially raised a whopping $420,000 to service the aged care home. Raising $420,000 in a tiny town is astonishing in itself. But, if you account for inflation, by today’s standard, that equates to almost 3 million dollars. 51 years on, that determination and generosity remain alive and well.
QCS Celebrated 51 years with a morning tea, involving staff, community, residents and loved ones.
QCS has continued to grow and flourish over the decades. But like so many regional aged care facilities, it’s weathered its share of hard times. It’s bucked the devastating trend of between 35 to 50 rural and regional aged-cared Australian facilities shutting down every year. Being buckled by cost and compliance makes it near impossible to keep the doors open.
Quirindi has not only survived, it has also thrived, due to the dedicated staff, management and community. Another turning point has been partnering with Apollo Care this year, which specialises in acquiring rural and regional aged care facilities without the community losing the very DNA and essence that each individual town offers.
“Quirindi has a very proud history in how we’ve cared for our elderly. It’s been wonderful to join forces with Apollo Care to stay viable while not losing any part of our care that we pride ourselves in delivering.”
The CEO of Apollo Care Stephen Becsi has made the journey from Perth to Quirindi to celebrate QACS’ 51st birthday.
“What a wonderful achievement for the people of Quirindi and the surrounding regions. I am so passionate about people’s right to grow old in the community they lived and worked all their life.”
“Aged care is not just about providing people with medical services, it’s about creating a home where residents feel loved, respected and cared for. QCS does a wonderful job of that,” Mr Besci said.
While QCS was the brainchild of Ken Heath, it’s worth noting some other remarkable people who were involved in establishing and running the aged care facility.
Other key founders and chairs include, John Ronald, Andrew Kay, Ron Short, Tony Carter, Rob Webster, Keith Grieve, and Bob Hudson. Alongside Neil Brackenbury, Sister Tuck, and members of various committees. Former Mayor Harold Golland and other notable mentions include Sister Galbraith, Sel Brown, Mrs Barker, Anne Smith, Mick McCarthy, Jean Macdonald, Alex Chad, Geoff Ingall, and Peter Smyth, Dr Robert Kay, John Haydon, and Avis Doolan.
Over the decades the list of contributors has become longer than the Tour De France. Aged care is not just a job, it’s a calling. Quirindi and the surrounding regions have heeded that calling and embraced it with boundless compassion. So, here’s to 51 years, and long may we celebrate many, many more.
Growth and Development Timeline
· 1979: Elmswood, a 14-bed facility, is completed.
· 1982: The Villas, six independent living units, are completed.
· 1984: A 36-bed nursing home is completed, providing crucial support for the elderly.
· 1989: An 18-bed extension to Elmswood brings the facility to a total of 32 beds, and the dining room and kitchen are extended in 1999.
· 1995: The Gables, with 12 independent living units, are completed.
· 2009: The modern Eloura Aged Care Facility opens, offering 68 beds. Elmswood is transformed into Henry’s Guest House.
· 2025: QACS joins forces with Apollo care to bolster its fiscal backbone and provide more care for more residents