Bushland Health Group Limited

A Short History of the Organisation

Bushland Place Nursing Home (August 1982 - October 2008)

During 1976 the Federal/State Co-ordinating Committee approved a 33 bed Nursing Home for Bushland Place. A special fundraising appeal was launched and as a result of the public support the General Committee was able to convince the Government that a 40 bed Nursing Home could be financed. As a result, approval for an additional seven beds was given.

Planning and construction programs were introduced immediately and in August 1982 the Bushland Place 40 bed Nursing Home was opened.

When the Karingal Nursing Home in Manning Street was sold on 12th March 1988, the 47 beds from this facility were transferred to Bushland Place Nursing Home increasing the total number of Nursing Home beds at Bushland Place to 87.

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Karingal Gardens Aged Care facility (Nursing Home) from October 2008

The 89 residents of Bushland Place Nursing Home transferred to the new 100 bed Karingal Gardens on the 27th/28th and 29th October 2008 on a new site just 300 metres from Bushland Place Village.

The new Karingal Gardens Aged Care facility is a high care facility that fully complies with the Certification requirements for residential care as set by the Department of Health and Ageing.

The facility provides 100 spacious single rooms with direct access to an ensuite and numerous common rooms. Within the facility there are 2 x 20 room secure units for dementia specific care.

The landscaped and partly secured grounds offer a panoramic view of Taree's recreation area and provide an ideal setting for residents, their relatives and friends.

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Bushland Place Hostel

During 1978 the Committee received a Commonwealth Government Grant in excess of $750,000 to assist in the construction of a 44 bed hostel within the Bushland Place retirement village.

The hostel was occupied on 5th January, 1980 and provides spacious living quarters for 43 residents. The design of the hostel provides accommodation which meets the physical, social and medical needs of residents.

Bushland Place, Jacaranda Ave and Jarrah Place Villa Units

In addition to the 54 villa units situated on the Bushland Place site, there are 38 villa units on a separate site not far from Bushland Place at Jacaranda Avenue and Jarrah Place.

Kitchen And Laundry Services

When the original Karingal Nursing Home was sold in 1988, the central kitchen and laundry services were re-established at Bushland Place in an area between the hostel and nursing home with a separate service entry between the buildings.

The kitchen facility produces 1000 meals per day for the residents of its facilities and Meals on Wheels. In February 1991 the laundry services were expanded with the organisation undertaking its own linen service.

Administration Centre, Staff Centre & Chapel

The original plans and models of the proposed Bushland Place Village indicated that in the long term the Administration Centre, Staff Centre and Chapel would be in the approximate location they are today.

The buildings, which were officially opened and dedicated in a ceremony on 21st July, 1991 provide the perfect operational link to the hostel, kitchen and laundry, all of which are on one level under one roof.

Banyula Village, Old Bar

Construction commenced on this site in July/August 1993 with the first villa units occupied during January 1994.

1. Villa Units

There are 50 villa units in the Banyula Village complex at Old Bar. With its locations and the design of the villa units, the village provides a relaxed lifestyle for those residents that call the village their home.

The activities within the village are concentrated around the Village Centre which forms the lower level of the Serviced Apartments block Activities held in the centre include carpet bowls, table tennis, billiards, craft mornings, fashion parades, church services and general meetings.

The Residents Committee, which organises and takes responsibility for the Village Centre, also takes the opportunity from time to time to become involved in the organisation of activities external to the site including dinners and visits to places of interest.

3. Serviced Apartments

There are eight (8) apartments on site at Old Bar. All apartments contain a single bedroom with kitchen, bathroom and laundry facilities. General laundry facilities, a lounge, dining and kitchen facilities are also available within the central unit specifically provided for these eight (8) apartments.

Prices are available on application with residents choosing the level of services supplied to their specific apartment during their period of residency.

If a residents enters an apartment and requires no additional services, the recurrent fee is 22.5% of the single aged pension. However, if due to deterioration of health or physical ability a resident needs assistance with care, meals, or cleaning, packages can be purchased to improve and reinforce a resident's lifestyle.

5. Village Centre

   The Village Centre is on the lower level under the serviced apartments. The Centre provides an ideal meeting place for residents for any activities they wish to organise. The management of the village centre is left to a sub-committee of residents who confirms priorities with the Board of Directors as and when there needs to be such interaction.

6. Banyula Lodge 40-Bed Hostel

Banyula Lodge opened in June 2001 and has 40 suites each with individual ensuite. The facility has been designed to allow future expansion for another 30 to 40 Low (Hostel) and/or High Care (Nursing Home) beds