Date: 1 June 2018

The Hon Michael McCormack MP, Deputy Prime Minister and Federal Member for Riverina, Aged Care Minister, Ken Wyatt AM and Temora Shire Mayor, Cr Rick Firman OAM joined Chris Mamarelis, Whiddon CEO on a visit to Whiddon’s Temora aged care today.

Mr Mamarelis was delighted to welcome Deputy Prime Minister McCormack, Minister Wyatt and Cr Firman to tour the home and discuss Whiddon’s plans to expand the aged care home.

“The Whiddon Group has a long and proud history of providing quality care to older people in the Temora region. There is a high demand for aged care services in the region, and to help meet current and future aged care needs, Whiddon has developed plans to extend its aged care offering.”

“It’s exciting to have the Deputy Prime Minister and Aged Care Minister take the time to visit our wonderful service located in the beautiful Temora shire. I was pleased to show the Ministers through our current facilities and outline our plans to undertake a 50 place extension with dedicated high-need accommodation. This will help to reinforce our commitment to regional Australia and support those living locally to access the highest quality aged care, so they can continue to live in the community they know and love,” Mr Mamarelis said.

“Whiddon, with support from Cr Rick Firman, have for a number of years, been advocating for Government support to assist with the Whiddon Temora expansion. This year, Whiddon applied for a Building Better Regions Fund grant to help make this project a reality. Along with Whiddon’s investment, this funding would allow us, as a not-for-profit provider, to make a viable investment in the community and expand the aged care offering in the region.”

“The project will bring many benefits to the region including new employment opportunities, additional support for people with dementia and high care needs, along with upgraded and expanded residential aged care facilities to support an ageing population.”

“I thank Deputy Prime Minister McCormack, Minister Ken Wyatt and Cr Rick Firman for taking the time to visit Whiddon Temora, meet our residents and hear our plans,” Mr Mamarelis said.

In the 2016-2017 Aged Care Approvals Round, Whiddon received 50 additional residential aged care places. Whiddon has been caring for older people in the Temora community for more than 40 years.

From left: Cr Rick Firman, Mayor Temora Shire, The Hon Michael McCormack MP, Deputy Prime Minister and Federal Member for Riverina, Aged Care Minister, Ken Wyatt AM and Chris Mamarelis, Whiddon CEO.

Marjorie Rees shows Deputy Prime Minister McCormack how to fold a napkin the right way.

From left: The Hon Michael McCormack MP, Deputy Prime Minister and Federal Member for Riverina, Cr Rick Firman, Mayor Temora Shire, Ken Wyatt, Aged Care Minister and (front), Whiddon Temora resident Neville Thompson OAM.