Matters of Interest

Southern Cross Care

The Hon. D.G.E. HOOD (15:30): I rise today to speak on the Southern Cross Care organisation, which is celebrating its 50^th anniversary this year of providing services pertaining to home support, retirement living, residential care and, very importantly, respite care. In fact, I had the privilege of representing our Premier and the Minister for Health and Wellbeing at the grand opening of the organisation's new look Mount Carmel Residential Care facility just last Thursday.

The recent works included new residential care beds, a new cafe, new outdoor spaces, new gardens and improved health and wellness facilities. I was certainly impressed, not only by the revamped centre but, more importantly, by the passion and dedication of the Southern Cross Care staff in delivering quality services in aged care for South Australians.

Of course, given our state's ageing population, attention to this sector is becoming increasingly vital, and we are fortunate to have people with the vision and expertise to ensure these services can be delivered effectively and with distinction in the case of Southern Cross Care services.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank sincerely the Southern Cross Care team for their kind hospitality on the day of my visit, and particularly that of David Moran, the chief executive officer, and Brendan Bowler, who is chair of the board. Southern Cross Care has an extensive and proud history of providing retirement and aged-care services throughout South Australia as well as the Northern Territory.

Members may not be aware that the organisation was founded by the Knights of the Southern Cross, an order of Catholic laymen committed to promoting what they consider the Christian way of life throughout Australia and in their actions of care. Its first project was the construction of a modest group of one-bedroom units at Croydon Park, which was funded on a dollar-for-dollar basis by the commonwealth government.

Throughout the 1970s Southern Cross Care then proceeded to expand, with the development of 30 sites throughout the Adelaide metropolitan area and Mount Gambier. In order to meet the emerging demand for high-quality aged care, its first care centre was built in 1976 at North Plympton, followed by the construction of a 146-bed nursing home situated next to this facility.

For over four decades Southern Cross carers continued to diversify its services and it now operates in some 53 sites. Its newest site, Carmelite, is a multimillion dollar integrated aged-care hub, located in Myrtle Bank, which I understand is very close to completion. It has also just commenced building a $70 million plus retirement estate in Mount Barker that will offer 22 single-level independent retirement villas, with five different designs. Southern Cross Care currently employs over 2,300 people and provides services to more than 5,000 older Australians.

Southern Cross Care's excellence in the aged-care sector is evidenced by the many awards it has received in recognition of its vast achievements over the past decade. They are too numerous to mention on this occasion, but I note that some of its more recent awards include: the 2017 Aged and Communication Services (South Australia and Northern Territory) Award for Excellence in Aged Living Design; the 2016 HESTA Outstanding Organisation Award; the 2016 Australian Aged Care Quality Agency Better Practice Award; the 2016 National Master Builders Association Construction Industry Award for National Lifestyle Housing for Seniors Living; and, the 2016 Urban Development Institute for SA Award for Excellence in Seniors Living, just to name a few of the recent awards.

The Marshall Liberal government acknowledges that, whilst primary responsibility for residential aged care lies with the commonwealth government, it also recognises that our health and aged-care services need to work together to support Australians in the latter stages of their life to maintain their independence and participation in the local community and connection with family and friends.

Our state government is, therefore, intent on working closely with our federal minister for ageing to ensure South Australians receive appropriate support and care as required. Without the valuable contributions of organisations such as Southern Cross Care this would not be possible, and I commend its resolve to provide comprehensive and exemplary services in response to the evolving needs within our state.

I might just add in closing that I was particularly impressed with the rates of participation that they are able to achieve at the particular site that I was at last week, and that is that, of the elderly residents of the facility, they have a participation rate of some 85 per cent in their gymnasium, which I thought was extraordinary, given that the average age is in the 80s.

The Hon. J.M.A. Lensink interjecting:

The Hon. D.G.E. HOOD: The minister interjects. I will ignore the interjection, but if I were to respond I would say something to the effect that I made the observation, when I was there last week, that they were putting me to shame. I am a 48-year-old man, but they seem to be much more committed—

An honourable member: A young man.

The Hon. D.G.E. HOOD: A young man, thank you. They seem to be committed to the exercise lifestyle, which is exemplary. It enables people, particularly aged people, to enjoy their life and it is to the benefit of their health, of course. I commend them on their activities.