Toosey first opened as a community hospital in 1925, a legacy left to the community by James Denton Toosey Junior, a notable name in the area in the 1800s.

Today, it is an aged care home that is a part of the community.

Independently owned since 1999, the demand for beds continues to grow.

In January, the facility received $1.9 million, out of a stimulus package given to the Northern Midlands Council from the federal government.

The money came at the right time – Toosey had already planned its next expansion.

It will build onto its existing day centre, towards Smith Street, creating a two storey add-on that will house a new administration area, and six new rooms.

The new beds will go some way to relieving the residents’ waiting list, and the new administration area will mean that all the services are centralised – not spread out over several buildings and levels.

Toosey maintenance officer Simon Barnes said the major tender for the project would close at the end of February.

Mr Barnes said he was hoping to see work begin on the site in March, and have its new residents moving in in September.

It is the sixth expansion to the original site, and its second development in as many years – seven independent living units were completed in 2016.

Acting CEO Peter Lorraine said Toosey did not carry any negative connotations that were sometimes associated with nursing homes.

“It is not known as a nursing home in the region,” Mr Lorraine said.

“To them, it’s a big, community home for Longford."

Community is at the heart of Toosey; it is how it began, and it is how it will continue.

Most of the tenders for the extension will be going to companies within the region.

“Part of the philosophy of Toosey is to support and foster employment within the community,” Mr Lorraine said.

Already, the Toosey board is looking to the future, and to more developments.

It hopes to expand further into community healthcare, chronic disease care, and health and wellbeing support.

“Toosey’s got an exciting future,” Mr Lorraine said.