Tasmanian aged care home celebrates a decade of care
Barossa Park is a precinct run by Tasmanian Not For Profit OneCare, which features a 136-bed residential aged care facility, independent living units, affordable housing units, a home care service and a community centre.
OneCare’s facility has become part of the fabric of Glenorchy, a suburb of Hobart, since opening on 21st November 2014.
OneCare CEO Pete Williams said 10% of the staff had been at Barossa Park for the full decade, which spoke volumes about the workplace culture.
“The thing about Barossa that makes me so proud is the wonderful culture here,” said Pete.
“Barossa has a fantastic workforce that cares so deeply about elderly Tasmanians. I see meaningful relationships with residents, staff going above and beyond to plan fun excursions and engaging activities on top of the day-to-day care, and colleagues having fun together.”
Extended Care Team Leader Ellen Strange (pictured) is among the 20 staff being celebrated for 10 years of service. She started as an extended care assistant before progressing into specialised roles.
“Aged care is in my blood. My sister and I grew up caring for our grandparents and uncle, and we’re both still in the industry. My daughter got a job in residential care straight out of college,” she said.
“I just love it. All the stories and the relationships you build. We have residents move in who I’ve worked with previously as a community carer. They recognise you and their faces light up, seeing someone here that they know. That’s the value of being truly integrated with the local community.
To mark the 10-year anniversary, OneCare unveiled a ‘Faces of Barossa’ artwork. The mammoth mosaic features the faces of residents, staff, volunteers, families and more who have made Barossa Park Lodge special over the past decade.
The birthday cake was cut by longest-term resident Betty Clark who has lived at Barossa Park since the facility opened, and the celebration also included a welcome to country by Palawa resident Loretia Maynard.
