Catholic Healthcare celebrated the uniting of the Mater Aged Care with Jemalong Residential Village in Forbes this week.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The new JRV on Edward Street has been expanded to now house the 31 residents who called the Mater home until its closure early this year.
Catholic Healthcare's Managing Director David Maher said the occasion marked the bringing together of two strong traditions.
"The diversity of talents that each resident and staff member brings, will unlock the potential for the ongoing mission of both the Mater and Jemalong, to be fully realised," Mr Maher said.
"We are incredibly grateful for the expertise, care and commitment of the teams at The Mater and Jemalong who made this move a great success. I thank and congratulate all those involved.
"What we have now is a wonderful, modern environment which will enrich the lives of current and future residents."
JRV now includes 39 new rooms, a refurbished café, function room and chapel which holds some of the cherished religious icons from The Mater, including the beautiful stained-glass windows.
In attendance were executives from Catholic Healthcare, members of the Forbes Jemalong Aged Peoples Association, councillors, Fr Simon Apablaza, residents, families and staff.
Long-serving staff members from each of the two sites - Mary Laksito from The Mater and Gwen Barnard from JRV - helped pot plants in soil combined from the two sites as part of a service.
"We recognise the joining together of two great traditions in town for a new beginning," Mr Maher said.
"That comes with the heartache of leaving The Mater, we're very conscious of that."
JRV will continue to grow on the Edward Street site, with the construction of a new retirement living village to commence in June.
Nineteen free-standing villas and a community centre are due to be built over the next 12 months.