Regional SA benefits from recent Federal funding

Older people living in regional South Australia are set to benefit from a number of recent funding boost and investment announcements by the Federal Government.

Posted July 27th 2018

by Alexandra Stopford

<p>Both Renmark and Strathalbyn in South Australia are receiving support from the Federal Government for their aged care services (Source: Shutterstock)</p> — Both Renmark and Strathalbyn in South Australia are receiving support from the Federal Government for their aged care services (Source: Shutterstock)

Over the past week, the Federal Government has announced the new Ethnic Link Services centre in Renmark will share in $1.5 million in funding, as well as an additional $7.5 million investment for Strathalbyn’s new aged care facility.

Local Member for Barker, Tony Pasin, announced the almost $740,000 annual funding support for the Ethnic Link Services at the new Renmark centre’s official opening on 19 July, noting that the Ethnic Link Services staff and volunteers provided care in 45 different languages to around 250 people each year.

“Ethnic Link Services is building more than 20 years of home and community support for culturally diverse Riverland residents,” Mr Pasin says.

“The new Renmark site will allow Ethnic Link Services to expand its offering to the broader community, providing a unique mix of holistic care and helping hands that have forged bonds of friendship and broken down social isolation.

“Ethnic Link Services has been a trailblazer in helping ensure the region’s strong cross cultural community connections extend into the aged care sector.”

Federal Minister for Aged Care Ken Wyatt says the $740,000 a year in funding for the service will help older Australians, including those in the Renmark area with transport, meals and group and individual social support.

The $3.9 million commitment for Strathalbyn’s new aged care facility will support the community by providing access to an additional 12 beds as well as improved services, accommodation and more support.

Local Liberal Candidate for the area, Georgina Downer, says she has ‘lobbied hard’ for this investment and says the expansion of the aged care facility is ‘vital’ for the growing community.

“Strath is a growing community and needs and deserves modern infrastructure,” she says.

“This new facility will ensure they get high quality care when they need it most.

“Through this funding, we now have an additional 12 beds – taking the total to 36 beds for the new facility – and will provide more support for the elderly in our community.”