General manager Tim Watson said the process had been helped by the support of the community.

“In addition to the financial contribution by the council, May Shaw and the state government, the community has also taken ownership of the solution and has to be commended for raising in excess of $57,000,” Mr Watson said. 

Mr Watson also said that Councillor Leon Quilliam needed to be recognised for his efforts in supporting the fundraising effort.

“Special recognition needs to go to Councillor Leon Quilliam who has championed the community fundraising effort,” Mr Watson said.

“Approximately $44,000 of the community donations has been spent on purchasing equipment for residents and the Aminya Bus.”

Cr Quilliam said the fundraising efforts for the facility started after realising the existing site had no transport available for residents.

“Around 18 months to two years ago, we discovered the facility had not had any transport,” Cr Quilliam said. “We took it upon ourselves to raise funds for a bus.”

Cr Quilliam said this fundraising effort raised around $50,000 for a bus, and that they went on to raise an additional $20,000, which was to go toward new equipment for the facility.

Cr Quilliam said it was important to be able to give the community an update on the progress of the merger.

“It will let the whole community know what has happened in the past, and what is happening now,” he said.

“No matter where we go, people still talk about the council taking over the facility … it’s very significant.”

The project saw aged care facilities James Scott and Aminya merge into one operation managed by May Shaw. 

The first stage of the project was transferring the Aminya facility to May Shaw in December 2015, and the second stage saw the transfer of the James Scott facility to May Shaw in May 2017. 

Cr Quilliam said more community fundraising efforts for the facility would be welcomed by the council.

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