St Lawrence Residential Aged Care in Harden, formerly run by Southern Cross Care (NSW & ACT), is set to reopen late this year as Harden Grange.
The 45-bed community, which closed in February last year, will now be recommissioned with plans to open in late 2022.
Southern Cross Care’s CEO, Helen Emmerson said Southern Cross Care had worked to facilitate the sale to a provider who can serve the region’s aged care needs.
“We are very happy to be able to transfer this facility to a new community-backed organisation. I wish the Apollo Care Alliance all the very best,” Ms Emmerson said.
The Harden Regional Development Corporation (HRDC) has been a key driver in facilitating the reopening.
Harden Grange will be operated by a new local not-for-profit group, HRDC Community Limited, founded by the Kruger Trust and national approved aged care provider Apollo Care.
Apollo Care’s CEO, Stephen Becsi OAM, said Apollo Care was formed to revitalise a segment of the aged care market that is at high risk of extinction: smaller not-for-profits.
“These smaller providers play an essential role in delivering choice to older Australians who want to remain connected to their local community. This is especially important in regional communities, like Harden,” he said.
“We bring our highly experienced team of industry leaders, the latest technology, best-practice care governance and an award-winning staff culture program to Harden Grange. We look forward to Harden Grange supporting local residents and their families by providing quality aged care services to the whole community.
“Apollo Care’s operating model allows smaller aged care communities to thrive in a very challenging operating environment.”
HRDC Deputy Chairperson, Samantha Flannery, thanked The Kruger Trust for investing in an equity stake to facilitate the reopening.
“We look forward to seeing Harden Grange become a strong and valued community residential aged care service. Providing our ageing demographic with a place to call home plus more jobs for locals will be a much-needed boost for our twin towns and the broader Hilltops Region,” she said.
A team from Apollo Care will visit Harden to meet with the local community and answer questions.
This community event will be held at the Mechanics Institute in Harden on Monday 17 October 2022 from 2.00pm to 6.30pm and on Tuesday 18 October from 7.30am to 11am.
In attendance will be:
Stephen Becsi, OAM – Apollo Care CEO
Kylie Radburn – Chairperson of the Harden Grange Board and Apollo Care Chief Governance Officer
Gabby Maresca – Apollo Care Recruitment
David Arguelles – Apollo Care Project Management, Asset Management and Procurement
CEO Mr Becsi said that Apollo Care is committed to keeping Harden Grange focused on local aged care needs.
“We look forward to talking with families and prospective residents, and anyone interested in job opportunities. We are also interested in meeting with local suppliers and contractors who can help us with preparations for the reopening of Harden Grange.” he said.