On Saturday, April 20, Bupa Aged Care Echuca hosted a country fair to celebrate their 10-year anniversary.
Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content
The centre opened on March 20, 2014, with the event celebrating their decade of operation in the Echuca Moama community.
Through fundraising on the day, they donated $1700 to the Echuca Moama Men’s Shed, surpassing their goal of $1000.
The event began with a smoking ceremony, before two of Bupa’s longest standing residents were celebrated. Shirley and Beryl have been at the centre since it opened in 2014.
Bupa Asia Pacific chief executive officer Nick Stone and Bupa Aged Care director of customer experience Geraldine Davys joined the team, celebrating the anniversary alongside residents and staff.
“What a fantastic way to commemorate a decade of care, community, and commitment,” Bupa Echuca general manager Lailani Dorupa said.
“As a community, we have been through a lot in the past decade, and while it has been challenging through COVID and the floods, we have all worked together to support each other and to care for our residents.”
Ms Dorupa believes that aged care can improve the wellbeing of older people’s lives, through socialising and activities.
“I think people need to stop thinking of aged care as a ‘dead end’,” she said.
“The perception needs to change; there are benefits of going into aged care.
“Some of the people who were living in town before coming here did not engage in the community or have social lives, but there are many things we have on offer here.
“We hold a major activity every month.”
At the end of next month, they will be hosting a Biggest Morning Tea event.
The Biggest Morning Tea raises money for the Cancer Council, with $14,372,126 raised in 2023 through morning teas across the country.
Bupa Echuca will host the fundraiser in recognition of one of their members, who is almost 10 years’ cancer-free.
The team has a busy calendar for their residents, and invite the community to join them at different events throughout each month.
“We have an open door policy at Bupa Echuca and encourage everyone to join us on our Coffee Club days on Tuesdays and Thursdays, weekly concerts and monthly big events that are key social events for our residents and helps them retain their community connections,” Ms Dorupa said.
“We welcome you with open arms and encourage you to visit our home and join us as we continue to celebrate life and love at our Bupa Echuca care home.”