Date: 10 August 2017

Whiddon Largs recently celebrated the completion of a significant refurbishment project to upgrade and expand the award-winning residential aged care home located in the Hunter region.

The refurbishment, worth more than $1.5 million, was made possible by a generous gift bequeathed to the not-for-profit organisation by a donation from the estate of Venita and Stanley Priestly. The donation was further aided by $40,000 raised by the Freemasons from the City of Maitland Retirement Association.

The project saw the addition of new resident bedrooms, a new sunroom, expansion and renovation of the dining room, installation of a café, a new courtyard and bowling green, the extension of the patio area and an upgraded entry foyer.

With the allocation of six new residential places in the 2015 Aged Care Approvals Round and the completion of this project, the Largs home now has the capacity to care for an additional six residents, providing some much-needed relief for aged care demand in the local community.

Whiddon Largs Director Care Services, Jennifer Armstrong welcomed the completion of the project and said that residents, families and staff are delighted with the results.

‘The project has significantly enhanced our facilities and created a more contemporary feel. The new spaces such as the sunroom, extended courtyard, dining room and café are beautiful and inviting areas for residents to enjoy spending time with loved ones.’

‘This is a great boost to our home and the local community. We’re very proud of this project and of the care and services we provide.’ Ms Armstrong said.

The Whiddon Group would like to thank the Priestly family for their generous donation and support of the home and the City of Maitland Retirement Village Association Inc for their generous donation of equipment and facilities for the new courtyard area. Whiddon was delighted to have representatives of both parties able to attend the recent event to open the new facilities.