The endeavours of a multimillion-dollar residential care complex designed for 21st century seniors has received praise from a prominent and vice-regal patron.
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NSW Governor David Hurley toured the “high-quality” Royal Freemasons’ Benevolent Institution (RFBI) Dubbo Masonic Village on Thursday after performing the honours at its grand opening.
The governor, patron of the RFBI, along with wife Linda Hurley chatted with seniors who have entered the facility at a time of growth for the aged care sector nationally.
He said he took his role as patron of the RFBI seriously.
“When they have a major activity or event like today, it’s good to be part and parcel of that, to show support and to just congratulate them for a great effort,” he said.
While the RFBI Dubbo Masonic Village with 70-bed capacity welcomed its first residents 11 months ago, Thursday’s official ceremony was a celebration of the work that had gone into its development.
Governor Hurley told media assembled for the occasion of the importance of quality of care and ensuring people have independence.
“It’s not institutions in which we put people, they’re facilities built for people to be active,” he said.
“We know that as we are getting older, people are still quite active and quite adventurous.
“So matching that with community needs, with individual needs, is the right way to go.
We know that as we are getting older, people are still quite active and quite adventurous.
- NSW Governor David Hurley
“I think there’s been a lot of thought into this.”
RFBI Dubbo Masonic Village general manager Danny Oakenfull reported there had been a lot of interest in the facility from the start.
He foreshadowed plans to double the capacity of the residential care at the Capstan Drive complex.
“So what we have here is stage one, so we’re in the very beginnings of getting some information about some more independent living units on the site here,” he said.
“Of course we want to expand our residential facility in the future as well.
“So we do have big plans for this place, it will be a very big complex once we’re finished.
“We have capacity for 70 residents right now, and we hope to extend our residential facility to another 75 beds, so 145 in total.”
Attendees at the opening included a representative of NSW Health, Dubbo mayor Ben Shields and fellow councillors, community groups including Meals on Wheels, local schools and universities, staff, volunteers, residents and friends.
“I am very proud of the local staff and management for the work they have done to ensure every resident receives the personalised care they need, in a warm and welcoming environment,” RFBI CEO Frank Price said.