It’s full steam ahead for Port Macquarie’s newest aged care centre.
Momentum is building for the opening of Port Macquarie’s newest aged care centre — Mingaletta on Sherwood Road.
UnitingCare Ageing North Coast Regional Director, Julia Bellamy said long periods of wet weather had failed to dampen the spirits of the construction team, who were working hard to ensure the building is now completed by end of October, ready for a December opening.
“Mingaletta has been designed to provide stylish and spacious accommodation for up to 110 residents and has been modeled around six household-style communities,” Julia said.
“A broad range of services will be available to ensure each individual’s care needs are met, including dementia specific and respite services.
“The local community has been following this project with great interest, so I am very pleased to report that final stages are progressing well. We look forward to opening our doors ready for Christmas.”
UnitingCare Ageing worked closely with local Aboriginal Elders to decide on an appropriate name for the new aged care centre.
Uncle Bill was instrumental in helping identify a local name that encompassed the philosophy of the project – healthy ageing, independence and choice for older people, community integration and service focused on individual needs,” she said.
“Thus Mingaletta, meaning gathering place, was adopted.”
Mingaletta offers significant opportunities for the local community, not only through the construction phase, but in the future. An estimated 250-300 people have been involved with the construction and it is anticipated up to 100 new jobs will be created across a range of fields, including care and hospitality services once the facility is fully operational.
Nine Indigenous Traineeships will also to be offered within the new service. They will combine on-the-job experience with structured training and development. Trainees will be provided with paid work under a training agreement that includes working with experienced supervisors, as well as formal training in the workplace and off-the-job. UnitingCare will support and record the trainees’ progress, providing a range of work to develop their knowledge and skills, leading to a qualification.
UnitingCare Ageing Aboriginal Liaison Project Officer Deby Lloyd said: “These traineeships offer Indigenous people real and sustainable roles in the aged care sector.”
