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  • Uniting merger saves Armidale's Autumn Lodge

    • Uniting merger saves Armidale's Autumn Lodge

    A community-owned aged care provider in Armidale, NSW, will be able to continue operating thanks to a merger with Uniting NSW.ACT.

    Autumn Lodge, which has operated in Armidale since 1896 and existed in its current form since 1956, warned earlier this year that it was operating at a loss and may close down within three years; however, after looking at 17 merger offers, the provider selected Uniting to take over in a deal set to finalise in September.

    “Some of the key factors in our selection of Uniting were its commitment to build on the existing service and create a regional hub, redeveloping the site in the medium term, continuing procurement from local businesses where possible, and lastly the important commitment to retaining staff,” said Autumn Lodge chair David Steller.

    “We are confident that Armidale will continue to see investment and employment directly and indirectly from these commitments.”

    According to Uniting Executive Director Tracey Burton, Uniting already serves 118,000 seniors across NSW and the ACT, including home care clients in Armidale and residential care customers in Tamworth.

    “We are optimistic about the future of care and services in the broader New England region. We look forward to Autumn Lodge joining the Uniting family as we continue to expand our services in the region,” she said.

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    A special thanks to our contributors

    Icons
    Caroline Egan

    DCM Media, agedcare101

    Caroline has a wealth of experience writing within the retirement and aged care sector and is a contributing journalist for the Villages.com.au and agedcare101 blog and accompanying newsletters.

    Read Profile
    Icons
    Ian Horswill

    Journalist

    Ian is a journalist, writer and sub-editor for the aged care sector, working at The DCM Group. He writes for The Weekly Source, agedcare101, villages.com.au and the DCM Institute fortnightly newsletter Friday. Ian is in daily contact with CEOs of retirement living, land lease and the aged care operations and makes a new contact every week. He investigates media releases, LinkedIn and Facebook for a good source for ideas for stories.

    Read Profile
    Icons
    Lauren Broomham

    Retirement and Aged Care Journalist

    Lauren is a journalist for villages.com.au, agedcare101 and The Donaldson Sisters. Growing up in a big family in small town communities, she has always had a love for the written word, joining her local library at the age of six months. With over eight years' experience in writing and editing, she is a keen follower of news and current affairs with a nose for a good story.

    Read Profile
    Icons
    Jill Donaldson

    Physiotherapist

    Jill has been practicing as a clinical physiotherapist for 30 years. For the last 13 years she has worked solely in the Aged Care sector in more than 50 metropolitan and regional facilities. Jill has also toured care facilities in the US and Africa and is a passionate advocate for both the residents in aged care and the staff who care for them. She researches and writes for DCM Media.

    Read Profile
    Icons
    Chris Baynes

    DCM Media, agedcare101

    Chris has been a journalist and publisher in the retirement village and aged care sectors for 11 years. He has visited over 250 retirement villages and 50 aged care facilities both within Australia and internationally. Chris is a regular speaker at industry conferences plus is a frequent radio commentator.

    Read Profile
    Icons
    Annie Donaldson

    Nurse and Carer

    Annie has a long career in both nursing and the media. She has planned and co-ordinated the medical support from both international TV productions and major stadium events. In recent years she has been a primary family carer plus involved in structured carer support.

    Read Profile
    Icons
    Caroline Egan

    DCM Media, agedcare101

    Caroline has a wealth of experience writing within the retirement and aged care sector and is a contributing journalist for the Villages.com.au and agedcare101 blog and accompanying newsletters.

    Read Profile
    Icons
    Ian Horswill

    Journalist

    Ian is a journalist, writer and sub-editor for the aged care sector, working at The DCM Group. He writes for The Weekly Source, agedcare101, villages.com.au and the DCM Institute fortnightly newsletter Friday. Ian is in daily contact with CEOs of retirement living, land lease and the aged care operations and makes a new contact every week. He investigates media releases, LinkedIn and Facebook for a good source for ideas for stories.

    Read Profile
    Icons
    Lauren Broomham

    Retirement and Aged Care Journalist

    Lauren is a journalist for villages.com.au, agedcare101 and The Donaldson Sisters. Growing up in a big family in small town communities, she has always had a love for the written word, joining her local library at the age of six months. With over eight years' experience in writing and editing, she is a keen follower of news and current affairs with a nose for a good story.

    Read Profile
    Icons
    Jill Donaldson

    Physiotherapist

    Jill has been practicing as a clinical physiotherapist for 30 years. For the last 13 years she has worked solely in the Aged Care sector in more than 50 metropolitan and regional facilities. Jill has also toured care facilities in the US and Africa and is a passionate advocate for both the residents in aged care and the staff who care for them. She researches and writes for DCM Media.

    Read Profile
    Icons
    Chris Baynes

    DCM Media, agedcare101

    Chris has been a journalist and publisher in the retirement village and aged care sectors for 11 years. He has visited over 250 retirement villages and 50 aged care facilities both within Australia and internationally. Chris is a regular speaker at industry conferences plus is a frequent radio commentator.

    Read Profile
    Icons
    Annie Donaldson

    Nurse and Carer

    Annie has a long career in both nursing and the media. She has planned and co-ordinated the medical support from both international TV productions and major stadium events. In recent years she has been a primary family carer plus involved in structured carer support.

    Read Profile