Name announced for new, pioneering, special needs village in Merbein

Rural Care chief executive Gerard Jose, Christine Harley and Janine Gowenlock, from the CareVillas Board, on the site of the future facility. Picture: Ben Gross

The Roger Higginbotham Hub was unveiled today as the name of a revolutionary, new, special needs residential village planned for Merbein.

CareVillas Australia, a new Victorian company, said the community cluster in Merbein, scheduled to open in 2026, would be named after a Mildura man who died in the neighbouring Chaffey Aged Care Centre, aged, 68, after a battle with multiple sclerosis. The sister of Roger Higginbotham, Christine Hartley, of  Mildura, won the legacy naming rights in a fundraising auction for CareVillas in Mildura earlier this month, with a generous bid of $6000.

“Roger was a local engineer and a wonderful man, taken too early, and this wonderful new facility for those needing special support will honour Roger and what he did for people,” Christine said, officially receiving the naming rights for the pilot villas at the site off Main Ave, Merbein.

“This new, special needs village will make life better for those who need extra care and it’s a great honour that it will be named after my dear brother,” she said. “The new centre will be a living testament to Roger’s enduring spirit and the love that he shared with all who knew him. It is my hope that the new village will continue his legacy of compassion and camaraderie for generations to come.”

Handing a perpetual naming rights certificate to Christine, CareVillas Australia board member and spokesperson, Janine Gowenlock, said the innovative Roger Higginbotham Hub would pay poignant tribute to a cherished individual who also needed special care.

“Through Christine’s act of generosity and remembrance, this groundbreaking project will preserve Roger’s memory and legacy and will serve as a lasting tribute to a beloved family member while providing a nurturing environment for future residents,” Ms Gowenlock said.

“The Merbein development will help address specialised care housing needs in the region, pioneering sustainable solutions that will revolutionise specialised housing nationwide,” she said. “This project isn't just about bricks and mortar. It's about building a future where every individual's unique care needs are met with dignity and innovation.”

CareVillas Australia is applying for a $6.5 million Government grant to build five custom-made, supported living villas at Merbein, with construction pencilled to start late this year with a mid-2026 opening date.

The low-cost, fit-for-purpose villas will meet the needs of people requiring specialised support to live independently within the community. Intended residents will be people with disabilities or dementia, women seeking refuge, First Nations individuals or the aged and infirm.

“This visionary project will be more than just a place to live. It will be a sanctuary where individuals can flourish amid the nurturing embrace of nature and the warmth of community support,” Ms Gowenlock said. “With meticulous design and thoughtful amenities, our homes won’t be just structures. They will be havens where every resident can thrive as part of brighter, more inclusive future for those in need.

“Our mission is to revolutionise modern housing solutions while nurturing a sense of independence and community connection. As we move forward with the development of the newly named Roger Higginbotham Hub, we remain steadfast in our commitment to fostering inclusivity, dignity, and quality of life for all residents,” Ms Gowenlock said.

 Commenting on the project, Rural Care Australia, on whose land in Merbein the villas will be built, said they were proud to  support the concept. “We’re excited to be part of a project that promises better, more innovative and more supportive outcomes for those in need such as people with dementia,” said CEO Garard Jose.      

Care Villas Australia is a consortium partnership with Heathcote Dementia Alliance and Rural Care Australia.

For information about the Roger Higginbotham CareVillas community cluster project and to donate, visit www.carevillas.au/projects

Media contacts:
Janine Gowenlock, CareVillas Australia, 0409 736 529
Andrew Mevissen, Rock Solid Marketing, 0431 883 057