Current Projects 

Reflections at Eppalock

The new home of Costerfield House CareVilla from December 2024

Location
Lake Eppalock, VIC, Australia

Year
2024 - 2025

Reflections at Eppalock is a specially designed nature-based sanctuary providing respite and support for people living with dementia and their carers through connection to country, culture, and community.

Nestled, on 10 acres, on the serene banks of Lake Eppalock, Reflections at Eppalock will offer a nature based environment that promotes relaxation, connection, and well-being. Currently on site is a 100-tree olive grove and a demountable building which will be transformed into a community hub.

Costerfield House, our SmartCare Villa, has been relocated to the site with the Jin Lab garden, creating opportunities for respite tourism.

Future Plans include accessible walking trails, a yarning circle, campfire, picnic sites, BBQs, chicken coop, bee hives. four more care villas, and a small animal nursery. HDA has collaborated with local organisations, Bendigo & District Aboriginal Co-operative (BDAC) Thorne Harbour Country and CALD groups to create an inclusive and welcoming safe and secure space for all community members.

Future developments

Future developments will include the creation of further gardens and other therapeutic features designed to further enrich the experience and wellbeing of our participants, including; an orchard, BBQ and picnic facility, yarning circle, labyrinth, and camp fire and chicken coop Initial works will lay the foundation for these enhancements, making the site accessible and functional. Subsequent phases will build on this groundwork, incorporating additional ideas and improvements to realise the vision of a comprehensive dementia-friendly environment fully. By starting with these critical works and laying the foundations HDA will ensure that the Reflections at Eppalock is equipped to provide a safe, inclusive, and supportive space for individuals with dementia and their carers from the outset.

The creation and construction of “Reflections at Eppalock” will be managed by a dedicated project team, led by Sandra Slatter, HDA President and the Project Team Leader. A Construction Project Coordinator will be appointed to handle the specific construction tasks. The coordinator will be responsible for overseeing the renovation work, including the installation of accessible ramps, construction of the verandah, and replacement of flooring with dementia-friendly materials, ensuring the construction is completed on schedule, within budget, and to the highest quality standards

Merbein Cluster Project

Location
Rural Care Merbein, VIC

Year
2024 - 2026

Proposed Development Rural Care Australia's Generations facility

CareVillas Australia is currently in the process of seeking grant funds to bolster the development of a community precinct in Merbein, Victoria, situated adjacent to Rural Care Australia's Generations facility.

This precinct represents a groundbreaking approach to residential care and community integration, melding purpose-built residential care villas, training (academic) support facilities, and a dynamic community hub. We are reaching out in search of additional support to bring this vision to fruition.

Stage One Focus for 2024: Building the Foundation of Community Care

This year, our primary focus is in laying the groundwork for a innovative and inclusive community precinct that prioritises the well-being and empowerment of its residents. This pivotal stage revolves around the creation of a comprehensive community cluster, comprising five meticulously designed one-bedroom residential care villas, an advanced support building dedicated to skills training, and a dynamic community hub serving as a focal point for communal activities.

Collaboration Network and Key Partnerships:

Our project is bolstered by collaborative efforts with esteemed partners such as Heathcote Dementia Alliance, Intellicare, Passive House Consultants, La Trobe University, MASP, John Richards Centre for Rural Ageing, WomenCAN, and Diggerland Community Services.

Local Support:

Securing local support is paramount to the success of our community precinct project. We are thrilled to share that the Mildura Rural City Council has granted their official approval through the planning permit process, signalling a significant milestone in our journey towards realising this transformative vision.

Additionally, the unwavering dedication of Rural Care Australia and Care Villas Australia stands as a testament to the collaborative spirit driving this initiative forward. With their leadership and expertise, coupled with the endorsement of local authorities, we are confident in the profound impact this project will have on our community.

Let’s work together.

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