General News
13 November, 2025
Finding path through aged care obstacles
A GROUP that has spent more than 20 years raising funds for aged care accommodation in Wedderburn wants Loddon Shire to help it register to operate a supported residential service.
Members of the Wedderburn Lions aged care sub-committee have met with shire CEO Lincoln Fitzgerald and wellbeing director Wendy Gladman to seek their assistance in navigating the registration process.
“Most people in Wedderburn are aware that the Lions Club have been trying to get aged care for our community since 2011 and to date have continuously met with obstacles,” said the group’s Jude Raftis.
“This includes State and Federal Governments lack of interest including passing responsibility to each other and lack of funding availability for aged care.”
A supported resdential service is overseen by the State Government and Jude said the group was initially told by the then-Department of Health and Human Services to prepare a business plan.
“They were aware that this was a pilot project in the beginning and all we had was the land gifted to us by Council. We had Sorted Holding complete the Business Plan for us which was funded by the Lions Club only to find out that it would not be sustainable.
“However, the lack of sustainability was the result of incorrect advice that home care packages could not be transferred to the facility with the residents.
“Consequently, the project was put on hold. We then became aware of the incorrect advice which changed the financial viability of the project to a profitable exercise.
She said the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing had since told Lions it could proceed and register to operate a SRS.
“However, once again we hit an obstacle – you need an existing building before you can register! One has to wonder why we weren’t told this by DHHS who oversee the running of such facilities.
“We are now waiting on a response from Loddon council regarding registration processes.
“Lions have also asked for a meeting with member for Ripon Martha Haylett, who has been a keen supporter of our project in the past. Be assured that Lions continues to pursue suitable aged care facilities for our senior residents,” Jude said.