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Amy Ord

23/10/2025
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From the CEO’s Desk

By | News

It is both an honour and a privilege to step into the role of Acting Chief Executive Officer at John Curtin Aged Care. I have been warmly welcomed by residents, families, staff and the broader Creswick community, and I look forward to working alongside you all as we continue to deliver care that reflects our values of client focus, quality, and integrity.

This is an exciting and transformative time for John Curtin Aged Care. With the support of a significant grant via the Commonwealth Governments Aged Care Capital Assistance Program, planning is now underway for our much-anticipated redevelopment. This project will modernise our facilities, create improved living environments for residents, and ensure that our service continues to meet high standards of aged care provision into the future.

At the same time, the Aged Care Sector is entering a new era of reform with the Strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards coming into effect from November 2025. These Standards place a renewed emphasis on person-centred care, governance accountability, and safety. At John Curtin Aged Care, we are actively preparing ourselves for this transition, ensuring that our systems, staff training, and governance frameworks are aligned with these new expectations.

Together, these initiatives represent more than compliance – they reflect our deep commitment to continuous improvement, transparency, and delivering high-quality, individualised care that makes a genuine difference in people’s lives.

Thank you again for the warm welcome – it is a privilege to work with you all as we move through this exciting period of renewal and growth.

Warm regards,

Karen Robinson

16/10/2025
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A Truly Landmark Day for John Curtin Residential Aged Care!

By | News

We are absolutely thrilled to announce that our project has been awarded a $13 million grant under the Albanese Government’s Aged Care Capital Assistance Program (ACCAP). This is a huge win — but it’s just one part of the bigger picture.

In total, this is an $18 million project, with JCAC contributing $5 million toward the transformation. Together, we’re making something incredible happen.

 

“This is a $13 million investment in the Creswick community, in the many local contractors who will deliver the works, in the staff who’ll be employed as a result of the redevelopment, and most importantly in local families and in the future of older people in our area.” – Catherine King

What this means for John Curtin and our community:

Thanks to this funding, we’ll be able to:

• Building a brand-new wing and expanding capacity of the facility by 33 beds, from 65 beds to 98 beds

• Refurbish 35 existing rooms, lifting comfort and care standards

• Maintain the garden outlook design that enhances every resident’s connection to nature

• Create new local jobs, boosting opportunities in the Creswick region

The work is expected to take place over four years, and is hoped to begin early 2026.

A day to celebrate—and reflect

We were honoured to celebrate with media from WIN and The Times, who joined us for the announcement by Catherine King. Councilor Don Henderson and Neville Cartledge OAM were also there. Neville shared heartfelt memories of John Curtin’s early days and how far we’ve come.
 
We are filled with gratitude to:
• Simon, our Finance Manager, whose partnership with Mirus was vital in securing the grant
• Steve Bruechert, CEO, who worked tirelessly alongside Simon
• Sue Craven, Board President, and Karen Robinson, Acting CEO, who led the announcement with Catherine King and to our staff and residents
• Our facility staff and teams — Wade, the maintenance crew, Ben, Mark, John; Mahi and Julie in our environmental team and Ross Waddington — thank you for preparing the site and going above and beyond.
To our staff, residents, families, community, and supporters — thank you. This is a defining moment in our history, and we couldn’t have reached it without you.
Stay tuned — we can’t wait to share the milestones with you all!
 
 
With heartfelt excitement,
 
The Board & Management Team
John Curtin Residential Aged Care