Cooinda chief executive Alex McKenna, Cooinda board chair Liz Lloyd, Federal Member for Indi Helen Haines and state Member for Euroa Annabelle Cleeland outside Rossmore House’s classic British phone box, located on Main St.
A main street with shops, a salon and café as well as state-of-the-art accommodation and office space — Cooinda’s new Rossmore House has it all.
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On Saturday, June 14, members of the community joined Cooinda residents, staff, Benalla Rural City councillors and state and federal politicians for the grand opening.
Cooinda chief executive Alex McKenna opened proceedings.
He welcomed guests including state Member for Euroa Annabelle Cleeland, Federal Member for Indi Helen Haines, local councillors and Cooinda board members.
Benalla Rural City councillors Puna Gunaratne, Jillian Merkel, Nathan Tolliday and Justin King outside the Rossmore House café.
Photo by
Simon Ruppert
“Days like today don't happen by chance,” he said.
“There was a lot of hard work just in preparation for today.
“'I’d like to acknowledge anyone who has donated financially or in time towards this building. This has been an expensive build.
“We were lucky enough to get a grant from the Commonwealth, and it’s through the generosity of the local community and from the Commonwealth that you’ll see this great building today.
The Main St at Rossmore House includes a state-of-the-art salon.
“In 2019 we opened up the building which is next to us, which is Ledger Wing.
“That was the latest investment that we had made, with 28 beds, and that was opened up in late 2019 in line with our 50th anniversary.”
Named after the old Rossmore Hospital, which was located in Nunn St, the new Cooinda wing has more association with its namesake than simply a title.
Several current residents of Cooinda were born in Rossmore Hospital, delivered by local legend Sister Marie Burns.
Mr McKenna said it was Cooinda’s commitment to the community to deliver excellence in aged care and age-related services.
The craft centre on Rossmore House’s Main St.
“When you travel through this new building, it’s not novel to see a salon, or a café, but it is novel to see the main street that we have,” he said.
“For some people, this will be the last main street that they have the opportunity to walk down and experience normality at a time when their health may be failing.
“No matter what the weather’s like, no matter what’s happening in the world, our main street will always be open.”
Mr McKenna said a time capsule would be buried on site, with some of the memories of Rossmore House’s opening.
“We’ll include our annual report for this year and a COVID test, just to remind us of that time,” he said.
Community members and local dignitaries joined residents for the opening of Cooinda’s new Rossmore House on Saturday, June 14.
“We’ve got some pictures, we’ve got some little knick-knacks and the intent is that we’re going to bury this in our gardens, and it’s not to be opened until November 21, 2069.
“What is that date? That is when we’ve been in operation for 100 years.”
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