"Best move I ever made", resident says.
Article by Rachel Lang, Caboolture News
FOR FIFTY years, the Walker Family have been caring for the elderly.
Leslie and Margaret Walker established a 16 bed convalescent home for ladies in 1966, expanding to Caboolture 34 years ago to form Sunnymeade Park Aged Care.
Resident Richard Chillman has lived at Sunnymeade for the past 20 years, moving to the aged care facility after combing Queensland’s south east for the best facility. “We did a big tour of all the retirement village,’ Mr Chillman said. “It’s just the right size. Everyone knows everyone else and we all get on well together, that’s the main thing”.
Woodfords’s Dorothy Zornig moved to the aged care facility after visiting frequently in a volunteer capacity. “I used to deliver Meals on Wheels,” Mrs Zornig Said. “I can remember saying to some when I looked at the apartment ‘I could live in one of these’, and when I decided to come that’s what I brought”. “People ask me what it’s like and I say, well it’s the best move I’ve ever made.”
These days, Leslie and Margaret Walker leave most of the day-to-day running of the Retirement Village up to their sons, Michael and Anthony. Although Sunnymeade has just completed a 60 bed, $6 million refurbishment, the Walker blokes say they’re still the same family company from 50 years ago.
Anthony said the modern facility was able to provide care for the range of care needs. “What we provide there is that pathway of continual care,” Anthony said.
“So independent living and you stay for as long as you can with assistance for us or the community, and when the time comes you transfer to the aged care section.”
PHOTOS ABOVE: Staff Celebrating The Walker 50 years in Aged Care, as well as 34 years for Sunnymeade Park Aged Care Community.