Eventide, a diamond amongst aged care providers
Hamilton’s Eventide Lutheran Homes is celebrating its Diamond Jubilee, commemorating 60 years of Christian aged care to the city and its surrounds.
The idea for Eventide Lutheran Homes began in 1946 and gathered momentum until the land known as Abbots Field was purchased in 1958.
The foundation stone was laid in 1960 and the official opening took place a year later, witnessed by a crowd of some 700 people on a wet and blustery day.
The first eleven Eventide residents were welcomed in 1962. Since then, it has grown to the point where it now employs around 90 staff delivering a range of high-quality direct care and support services to 150 residents in both the residential aged care and in independent living.
CEO Tim Pitt-Lancaster says, “The community made this happen and the dedication of the community, the people of the Lutheran congregations, the Lutheran Women’s League of Victoria, the Lutheran Church Victorian District, and individuals came together to bring Eventide Lutheran Homes to life.”
“Now, on our 60th anniversary, we celebrate those who had the vision and fortitude to see this project through from its humble yet ambitious beginnings.”
“60 years is a significant milestone for Eventide, and we celebrate a warm, welcoming, and friendly home where our work continues”.
Eventide’s mission is to provide high quality accommodation and supportive care in a Christian atmosphere to all aged persons in a sustainable manner and it achieves this through focusing on providing an environment which encourages independence and maintains or increases its residents’ capabilities. Entry to Eventide is not limited by social circumstances or financial background”.
Its many services include residential aged care, respite care, retirement living, a chaplaincy program, a pastoral care program, social support and an activities program.
Tim says the standard of accommodation has changed dramatically in the last 60 years.
“The number of Aged Care rooms has expanded to 58 permanent individual rooms and one respite bed. Furthermore, all of our units are fully self-contained with one, two or three bedrooms, living room, kitchen, bathroom and laundry facilities. These are proving to be ideal for people who no longer wish to look after a large home or garden, with the security and lifestyle of the retirement village.”
Unit residents can access a variety of social activities and sometimes these are managed by the residents themselves. These include happy hour, movies, lunches, knit and natter, games and bus trips. Indoor bowls, exercise classes, podiatry, hairdressing and nutritious meals keep our residents healthy, active, engaged and beautiful. Church services are led by the clergy of a number of religions. Lutheran church services and Bible Studies are conducted by a part time Chaplain.
Eventide was founded by volunteers and, 60 years on, the volunteers continue to play an important role in our operations, supporting and extending the work of our staff, sharing their time with residents, and making a positive difference in those residents’ lives.
“Eventide is very much a part of Hamilton, caring for some of its most vulnerable citizens and maintaining an involvement in the local community through the volunteer program and our many religious and social activities”, Tim said.
“We are very proud of our 60 years of history and all the people who have contributed to it”.
