Lifeline for towns’ elderly

Elderly residents and their families in Harden-Murrumburrah in south-west NSW have been thrown a lifeline after the sudden closure earlier this year of the aged care facility run by Southern Cross Care.

Cowra Retirement Village, which is a community-owned not-for-profit provider based in Cowra, is planning to recommission the former St Lawrence residential aged care facility.

The Cowra Retirement Village has been in operation 33 years and employees more than 130 staff.

Cowra board chair Ian Donges said the proposed recommissioning of the Harden facility was an exciting opportunity.

He said the board would engage in coming weeks with the Harden Murrumburrah Regional Development Corporation and the community at all levels “to start building a relationship of co-operation and mutual respect that we trust will result in the ongoing provision of a sustainable and high quality residential aged care facility”.

Residents of Harden-Murrumburrah were shocked by the unexpected closure of St Lawrence which affected about 35 residents, some of whom were members of the local parish.