Major donation helps fund master-planned community in Killarney

Hammering in the first nail at the commencement ceremony for Stage 4 Memory Support Unit. Members of Warwick Dementia Support Group Brendon Ryan (second from left) and Greg Eather (right). Killarney Aged Care Chief Executive Sarah Fea (left) and Operations Manager Mick Cantwell (second from right).

A major donation from the Warwick Dementia Support Group has allowed Killarney Memorial Aged Care to move on with Stage 4 of their master-planned community on Cedar Street in Killarney.

The Warwick Dementia Group has donated $294 000 to Killarney to be used to build a specialist memory support unit, that will be integrated into the other services at the aged care facility in Killarney.

Killarney Aged Care currently operates a 50-bed nursing home, a GP and allied health service, independent living units, home care, meals on wheels, and a men’s shed.

The new unit will offer high levels of independence for residents, with a strong focus on the outdoors and gardens to give residents a sense of homeliness and security in an attractive and stimulating environment.

At the commissioning of the project in Killarney this week, Warwick Dementia Support Group spokesperson, Greg Eather, said the Group was indebted to the many local people who had helped with fundraising over the years.

“We put on many events, including golf and cricket days, and the well-known Show and Shines organized by Brendan Ryan”.

Mr Eather said he was pleased to be partnering with a community-based service such as Killarney Aged Care to build the new specialist facilities.

“Killarney’s home is small and locally owned, and this fits very well with how we would like to see the dementia program operating, as a supportive family-style environment”.

Mr Eather paid tribute to his mother, Mrs Pam Eather, who had commenced the Warwick Dementia Support Group, and who was still actively involved in campaigning for research and support for dementia care.

Killarney Aged Care Chief Executive, Sarah Fea, said she was delighted to be working with Warwick Dementia Group.

“This significant donation will allow us to progress our plans much more quickly than expected,” she said.

“The demand is very high, and we want to be able to build the new area to support local families as quickly as possible”.

The first sod was turned on the project in Killarney on 16 June.

Killarney Aged Care Operations Manager, Mick Cantwell said he hoped to have the new stage open by February 2023.

Mr Cantwell said the project had been on the drawing board for about a year, and with the funds becoming available, the Facility could now get underway straight away.

“It’s a challenging time to be getting a building project completed, but we have most of the trades in place and are ready to start immediately”, Mr Cantwell said.