Lyrebird celebrate $3 million upgrade
Major renovations at Drouin’s Lyrebird Village for the Aged are scheduled to get underway in the next few months.
Expected to cost in the order of $3 million, the upgrade will include renovations to the home’s Waratah wing and a new nurses’ station with adjacent treatment room.
General manager Alice Kurauvone said the work would take about 12 months to complete.
The renovations to the Waratah wing will include a new dining room and servery, an updated library and sitting room and general refurbishment of shared living spaces.
There will also be new furniture and flooring, and Ms Kurauvone said residents had been thrilled to play a part by helping to choose a new colour scheme after taking part in a survey and vote.
She said the new nurses’ station would provide staff with more functional equipment and space to deliver timely and high level care to residents.
Lyrebird Village is now operated by Respect that has a number of residential aged care facilities in Victoria, Tasmania and New South Wales.
Managing director and chief executive officer Jason Binder said the not-for-profit organisation was excited with the plans for Lyrebird that would continue to meet the needs of the community and provide a wonderful home for Drouin and West Gippsland people.
He said the renovations would create a diverse range of employment opportunities, leveraging local skills and expertise as well attracting new workers to the community.
Mr Binder said Respect had also updated several other areas at the village last year.
They included renewal of surrounding gardens and constructing a memory support unit to provide the highest level of care for those with dementia and other memory related issues.
Mr Binder added that Respect was committed to being a key employer in the region and to support the local economy in addition to giving exceptional care to residents.
Drouin Rotary Club’s newest member Janette Pocklington (right) at her induction with husband Robert and outgoing president Pauline Maunder.