The Echuca Community for the Aged is celebrating 20 years of Cunningham Downs.
Construction of the independent living retirement village began in 2004 after an impressive $1.5 million was raised in the early 2000s to bring the project to life.
It officially opened in 2006 and featured a 30-bed hostel, 13 assisted living units and a number of independent living units, together with medical facilities, new administration offices, a laundry and a state-of-the-art kitchen facility at a cost of $15 million.
ECA committee of management chair Ian Maddison said it was time to celebrate the retirement village’s progress and look forward to future developments.
“It’s 20 years since the first sod was turned for the building of Cunningham Downs,” Mr Maddison said.
“It’s time to celebrate all that has been achieved and look forward to how we can continue to meet the needs of older people in our community.”
Although it has been 20 years since Cunningham Downs came to life, it is part of a much bigger history.
The ECA began in 1878 as the Echuca Ladies Benevolent Society, which provided food and shelter to women and children through the efforts of local ministers' wives.
In the late 1960s and ’70s, the Illoura site was developed for independent senior living and Engelbert Lodge was built for the elderly.
Demand was growing in the mid-’90s, and in 1997 the ECA purchased the 17 acres on which Cunningham Downs would be built.
ECA chief executive John Dean highlighted the importance of providing the best possible care for the Cunningham Downs residents.
“We value the senior members of our community deeply. They’ve contributed so much to our society over their lifetimes, and we owe it to them to acknowledge that and to give back,” he said.
“Their ability to live the quality of life they are used to, and so deserving of, is changing and it’s our responsibility to support them through it; to change their experience of this season of life for the better.”
The ECA has enjoyed strong growth in the past 20 years.
It now provides 99 independent living units in Cunningham Downs, 27 assisted living units in Brolga and Ibis, a 90-bed permanent care facility with two respite beds in Wharparilla Lodge and ECA Home Care providing care and services to the community.
Mr Dean said the ECA was looking to become more sustainable and to upgrade and refurbish its facilities.
“We are focused on sustainability and generating revenue to maintain our service delivery at the highest standard,” Mr Dean said.
“We are currently planning a refurbishment and upgrade to our assisted living units at Cunningham Downs Village and plans for the expansion of our Home Care services.”
As the ECA continues to grow, the need for more people to join the committee of management has also grown.
Interested candidates are invited to submit a resume and a brief statement of interest to board@echucaca.com.au by Friday, August 23.
For more information, visit www.echucaca.com.au or call 5480 5000.