Less than two decades after it was nearly closed down, Longford’s Toosey Aged and Community Care is going from strength to strength.
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Having recently completed seven new independent living units near the Longford Police Station, the facility is now tendering a $2 million project which will see six new rooms and an administration block added to the existing building.
The facility’s 50 beds are filled and there is demand for more.
But it could have been very different.
After agreeing to take the Toosey hospital onto its books in 1955, the state government explored selling the site in 1999 following several years of negative returns.
Toosey chairwoman Kathy Henry said until a handful of community members stepped in, the complex was very much in danger of being closed.
“An entourage went to Hobart and managed to negotiate a 99 year lease (where) the community would take over running it and set it up as an aged care facility,” Mrs Henry said.
“There was a community trust set up and they pledged to raise $400,000 in four years to donate to the organisation - at the end of the four years we had $385,000.
“That all came about from people like the bowls club, the golf club, cake stalls and fairs and raffles and our cocktail party.”
With the help of continued fundraising and a dedicated management team, Toosey now turns over a profit every year, and in the past 16 years has spent more than $7.5 million on upgrades.
Mrs Henry, who has spent three decades at Toosey including about 15 years as a nurse, said the facility had always been a unique place.
“Toosey has a huge amount of community support and that's what made it so successful.
“The reputation has grown and it is one of high service, high quality and a high level of care.”
The facility will hold its annual cocktail party at the Longford Golf Club on November 11, which remains a crucial part of its fundraising efforts.
“We've kept it priced very reasonably so hopefully all the community can come.”
To book a spot at the cocktail party, contact Mrs Henry on 63985122.