The Jewel in the Anglican Care Crown Officially Opened

The magnificent $39 million Anglican Care Kilpatrick Court, Toronto, was officially opened last week by the Right Reverend Dr Peter Stuart, Acting Bishop of Newcastle.

Joining Bishop Peter was the Mayor of Lake Macquarie Councillor Kay Fraser, Federal Member for Hunter Joel Fitzgibbon MP, John Kilpatrick AM, the Anglican Care Board, CEO Colin Osborne, and some of the staff, residents, and invited guests who have been integral in the development and success of the residence. A traditional Welcome to Country was conducted by Auntie June from the Awabakal Land Council.

The residence has been named after John Kilpatrick AM, the Chair of Anglican Care for the past 37 years and a member of the Board for 46 years. John Kilpatrick and his family have been heavily involved in the accomplishments and running of Anglican Care and the wider Lake Macquarie community.

Kilpatrick Court is a state-of-the-art residential aged care home consisting of 147 places that provides around-the-clock care for residents of all care levels. The home has been designed to offer an environment of wellbeing and happiness, facilitating opportunities for social interaction and time outdoors. Anglican Care has commenced planning for stage two of the development on the site next to the existing facility, which will consist of retirement living villas.

Anglican Care believes the completed Kilpatrick Court development will go a long way towards contributing to the “Lake Macquarie City Council Ageing Population Plan 2008-2017” and reaffirms their commitment to the West Lake Macquarie area.

“The Hunter will grow faster than any other area in NSW outside the Sydney basin between now and 2050. Furthermore, there will be an 85% increase in people aged 65 years, or over 180,000 people. That means the region needs to develop over 100 new retirement village places every year,” said CEO Mr Colin Osborne.

“For the Lake Macquarie area it is particularly of concern as we will move from the 53rd oldest LGA in NSW to the 44th in only ten years,” he said.

“Approximately 17% of Lake Macquarie residents are aged 65 and over; but by 2022, 25% of the population will be over 65. This means organisations such as Anglican Care need to plan and move now to ensure we can meet demand in the decades to come,” he said.

The location of Kilpatrick Court is ideal for seniors, being situated close to Lake Macquarie, Toronto Private Hospital, retail and other community facilities, and will provide enhanced choices for people seeking aged care services.

Find out more about Anglican Care.

Pictured: Anglican Care Colin Osborne, Bishop Peter, Ellen and John Kilpatrick