After 840 days away from home, the Rochester Elmore District Health Service staff and residents officially moved back into the rebuilt residential aged care facility on Thursday, January 30.
From 9am, the service’s 16 residents began moving in, clapped into the facility by REDHS staff.
A card made by St Joseph’s Primary School students welcomed residents to each room, while staff received cards from Rochester Primary School students.
Residents were joined by family and friends, along with many REDHS staff, for a celebratory welcome afternoon tea.
The event included a musical performance by harpist Peter Gibson, along with speeches from chief executive Mary Manescu and a video message from Victorian Minister for Ageing Ingrid Stitt.
“After a difficult few years, this is a significant milestone, and I'd like to acknowledge the resilience and patience of all residents and their loved ones over this long journey,” Ms Stitt said.
“A special mention to the aged care facilities that stepped in to care for residents and staff from Rochester who have been travelling long distances to Tongala, Echuca and Elmore to provide continuity of care.
“It is rewarding to see that residents can return home and reunite with their loved ones ... I would like to extend a warm welcome home.”
While there will be period of readjustment, staff and residents were thrilled to return to REDHS.
Among the excited residents was Donald Dicker, joined by his sister Rosie Aschenbrenner at the afternoon tea.
“Every time I’d buy him new clothes or something, I’d say ‘wear it’, and he’d say ‘no, no, I’ll wait until I get home’,” Mrs Aschenbrenner said.
“So, it’s really fantastic.”
They credited the hard work of the staff, who Mr Dicker described as “blessed”, to support the residents during the difficult period.
“They go the extra mile. The extra 20, 50 miles,” Mrs Aschenbrenner said.
Before their REDHS guests returned home, the Bupa Aged Care Echuca community said their goodbyes with a farewell afternoon tea on Wednesday, January 29.
During the rebuild process, REDHS staff and residents moved to Bupa Echuca and Respect Tongala, building strong friendships and working relationships.
The afternoon tea gave residents and staff a chance to look back and ahead, wishing one another well as they return to pre-flood ‘normality’.