NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian announced that St Agnes’ Care & Lifestyle would receive a State Government grant of $5 million for the building of a dementia-specific community centre.

St Agnes’ Care & Lifestyle is part of St Agnes’ Catholic Parish, which has provided aged care services to the Hastings community for over 40 years.

St Agnes’ Catholic Parish Chief Executive Officer Adam Spencer welcomed the funding announcement by the Premier.

“On behalf of our Parish Priest Fr Paul Gooley and St Agnes’ Care and Lifestyle General Manager Bronwyn Chalker, I welcome the funding provided by the State Government and am delighted the Premier has taken the time to visit Port Macquarie today to announce the grant,” Mr Spencer said.

“The grant will enable us to begin the first stage of a holistic dementia-specific service that will ensure the NSW Mid North Coast is a lighthouse for dementia care in NSW. In this first stage we will build the Emmaus Memory Support Community Centre to provide respite care, memory support programs and day services for those with dementia and other ageing issues.”

“St Agnes’ Care & Lifestyle has undertaken extensive research for future planning, which confirmed the need and demand for this type of service, especially for those with dementia, in our community.”

“The Community Centre will be a hub for both residents and the local community and the next stage of building will include village-style accommodation specially designed for residents with dementia.”

“Ultimately, this unique facility will offer a café, wellness centre with beauty and massage; arts and crafts, a music room, library, cinema and a GP clinic.”

Mr Spencer said the funding would not have been possible without support from local Member for Port Macquarie Leslie Williams MP.

“Both Ms Williams and the Premier have been very supportive of this project, which will mean a boost to local economy especially in terms of job creation as well as added support for those and their families affected by dementia.”

“The project has been approved by Port Macquarie-Hastings Council and we expect to commence works in the near future,” Mr Spencer concluded.

The Premier’s announcement is available at: https://www.nsw.gov.au/media-releases

Parish Priest Fr Paul Gooley, General Manager Care & Community Services Bronwyn Chalker, Member for Port Macquarie Leslie Williams MP, St Agnes’ Catholic Parish CEO Adam Spencer and Premier Gladys Berejiklian turning the first sod after announcing the State Government grant.