Three beautiful wings at Uniting AgeWell’s Sorell Community, Ningana were officially opened last week.

Named to reflect townships in the local area, the warm and welcoming Bream Creek, Penna and Primrose Sands Wings have added 48 beds to the site, allowing 112 residents to comfortably call this community home.

This light-filled development represents the conclusion of a major $24 million investment by Uniting AgeWell in residential aged care for the Sorell region and an overall investment of $98 million in Tasmania in recent years.

Ningana was formed three decades ago by the people of Greater Hobart, and it is the enduring commitment of Uniting AgeWell to honour the many stories woven into this community.

Ms Alison Overeem, a proud Palawa woman, and Statewide Manager for the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress, Leprena, expressed this beautifully in her Welcome to Country. She reminded all that stories connect us to people and place.

Set against a backdrop of warm Tasmanian sun and gentle acoustic music, Uniting AgeWell’s Board Chair, Ms Raelene Thompson, formally welcomed guests to the space.

CEO, Andrew Kinnersly, underscored the importance of continued investment in aged care environments embedded in their communities.

“With a rapidly ageing population we expect to see a significant increase in the demand for both home care and residential care services in coming years,” he said. “We are ready to meet this demand with innovative, high quality aged care services delivered with respect and kindness.”

Melitta Baker, Residential Services Manager at the site gave a heartfelt speech that provided a warm insight to the quality of care delivered by her deeply committed local team.

The Moderator of the Uniting Church in Australia Synod of Victoria and Tasmania, (Reverend Salesi Faupula) and Mrs Faupula, attended together with Uniting Church Tasmanian Presbytery Representative (Rev Peter Overton), along with the Uniting AgeWell Board of Directors, Sorell Council Mayor Councillor (Janet Gatehouse) and Deputy Mayor (Councillor Michael Larkins) and representatives of the Tasmanian Ministry of Tourism, Hospitality and Events and the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing.

A special highlight of the day was the ribbon cutting ceremony, led by Ningana residents Mrs Doreen Goss and Mr Rowland Leahy. Doreen and Rowland have both contributed their care to the facility as volunteers and nurses respectively, before finally calling Ningana home.

Following official proceedings, guests enjoyed lunch, refreshments and tours of the new amenities. These thoughtfully designed spaces are warm, inviting and fit for sharing.

Drenched in sunlight, they perfectly showcased all the finishes and fixtures of a new café, hairdressing salon, Club Lounge and bar, chapel and activities room.

Uniting AgeWell is grateful to its residents, staff, partners and community for allowing these wings to take flight, allowing more people to write their stories at Ningana.