PINCHUNGA Aged Care Facility’s courtyard development have received a significant funding boost to ensure the space provides an uplifting environment for residents, staff and families to enjoy.
Located between the Penola War Memorial Hospital and the aged care facility, the Penola and District Medical Support Group aimed to design an outdoor area to promote positive mental wellbeing for residents and families.
Plans for the courtyard include a pergola to provide shelter and shade, a large garden bed of native plants, pots of colourful seasonal plantings and additional seating.
Penola’s Williams family recently made a generous donation to the developments in memory of Ted Williams senior.
Mr Williams was a pharmacist in the town from 1950 and an avid gardener who loved the outdoors.
“The family feel that this is the perfect project to remember him by, combining his interests and career,” granddaughter Tara Batt said.
During his lifetime, Mr Williams expressed his desire to do something beneficial for Pinchunga.
“He was on the hospital board for more than 20 years and had a desire to ensure the garden was constructed,” Ms Batt said.
“It has been a long time coming to tidy and finish the area and his legacy will continue to live on through the donation.”
Following the donation, the Penola Lions Club matched the amount.
“The Williams family gave a very generous donation, so we felt the need to match that,” Penola Lions Club president Peter Muller said.
“We are a service club, so what better way to respect those in the hospital and Pinchunga.”
Penola and District Medical Support Group member Janet Brodie said the group was overwhelmed by the donations.
“What it means is we are able to put the pergola up, which is not a cheap exercise, but we wanted to do it to the best possible quality, requiring the least possible maintenance,” Ms Brodie said.
“We have also had other wonderful contributions from the community, which are all adding up to allow the project to be finished.”
A key development on the group’s works list is installing irrigation of the entire central area and other gardens.
“It is lovely for Pinchunga residents to see positive things happening,” Ms Brodie said.
“We will apply for Wattle Range Council grants and any others we can and we would gratefully receive any funding from members of the community who would like to contribute.”
Ms Brodie said she was proud to be part of a community which continued to support various projects in the town.
“The community is always being asked to support a variety of things in the area, so it has been fantastic that people have chosen to support this,” she said.
She also thanked the Penola War Memorial Hospital team, including Country Health SA, for its continuous support, as well as ensuring the area was safe and practical for residents to use.
The outdoor area is hoped to be finished by summer, with a grand opening aimed to be celebrated around Christmas.
