20 years of West Beach Residential Care

Just over 20 years ago, West Beach Residential Care opened with a bang and an opening event attended by 200 guests!

Even before that, an open day with tours saw 800 people visit to see the prestigious home, which has always been popular with the local community.

The official opening on 21 December 2005 was conducted by the Honourable Julie Bishop and the home was proclaimed ‘the best residential care facility in Australia’.

It was certainly Southern Cross Care’s premier aged care home.

From the first year West Beach had a memory support unit, but many of the residents actually moved in for a low care environment or for the extra services.

There were car parks set aside for residents, and a popular pastime for many was to take their gofer down to the beach for fish and chips.

The all-important sense of community was strong right from the beginning, and as the longest residing resident Cathy Black said, there were “lots of parties” in the shared spaces and family rooms.

At times residents even helped staff to celebrate memorable birthdays and make them feel like a special part of the West Beach community.

There were also regular visits from local kindergartens and schools, a pilot pet visiting program, and many residents who donated items for their neighbours’ benefit, such as furniture for the library and a painting for the chapel.

In 2010 Southern Cross Care became a beneficiary of the famous Channel 9 Telethon, and West Beach was accredited as the reason why the organisation was chosen as the beneficiary, because a Channel 9 commercial was filmed there.

While over the years staff have changed, residents have changed and aged care itself has changed, one thing has remained consistent at West Beach - the community spirit.

This year West Beach has the chance to claim the title of the Southern Cross Care home with the most centenarians, a wonderful feat that inspires the whole community.

Perhaps it is the community connection that everyone at West Beach shares that has led to supporting so many centenarians to be Better for life.

The 20th anniversary of West Beach was celebrated with a special afternoon tea, including entertainment, food, drinks and speeches, and of course a huge cake for everyone to share.