23 July 2021
Leading providers of aged care, home care and retirement living for more than 40 years, Southern Cross Care Queensland (SCCQ) presented its vision for the future of aged care in Chinchilla at on Thursday 22 July, at an open community town hall style meeting, attended by Lord Mayor Western Downs Regional Council, Paul McVeigh, Deputy Mayor Andrew Smith and other local business and community leaders.
SCCQ Chief Executive Officer, Jason Eldering, supported by Illoura Village Aged Care Manager, Lance Payne, hosted the event to share the Master Plan to redevelop the Illoura Village site to meet the growing future needs of the Chinchilla community.
“At SCCQ, our heart is in serving and supporting rural and remote Queensland communities, and we are proud to currently provide six aged care homes, including Illoura Village in Chinchilla, and employ around 250 regional staff across country Queensland,” SCCQ CEO, Jason Eldering said.
Mr Eldering shared the $28.35 million plan to redevelop the Illoura Village site to meet the future aged care needs of the Chinchilla community.
“Our future vision for Chinchilla is to increase and upgrade services at Illoura Village, rebuilding the two current, separate dwellings that provide a home for 66 residents, to provide a combined, contemporary home, including a dedicated dementia care home, to support 81 residents.
“As part of our current Master Planning process, we are seeking further community insight as well as federal government support to help bring our vision for future aged care in Chinchilla to fruition.
“Our aim is to ultimately keep communities and families connected, create local jobs and ensure the financial and social sustainability of this vital community asset and service well beyond the current generation,” Mr Eldering said.
SCCQ is committed to building aged-care communities that offer an integrated mix of housing co-located with aged care, community services (day respite/ home care) and education, to best meet the needs of the whole community.
SCCQ recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Southern Queensland Rural Health Prof. Geoff Argus, to create an educational and community centre to grow and support a regional workforce and help regional communities thrive.
“We’re looking forward to a bright future in Chinchilla, where our deeply valued Illoura Village residents, families and the community can live their best lives and where their experience every day is genuinely that every person matters,” Mr Eldering said.
