Roseneath was formerly the Dalhausie Maternity Hospital, when four family groups – the Podmores, Ogilvies, O’Neils and Hollingworths – came together five decades ago to invest in setting up the facility as an aged care centre.

While some of the families are still involved,

Mrs McOnie’s parents the Schlangers bought an interest in it some 30 years ago.

Former local pharmacist Pat Timbs maintains his family interest in the facility and provides local input into the management of Roseneath, typical of the shares that have been passed onto following generations over the years.

Mrs McOnie has stepped up and taken a more active role this year, and was keen to meet local players. Glen Innes Severn councillor

Di Newman drew a cross-section of stakeholders together for the meeting, which Mrs McOnie said she found very productive.

“We talked about the future of Roseneath and (other Glen Innes aged care facility) RFBI Masonic Village together.

There’s plenty of opportunity for both facilities.”

Mrs McOnie said there was capacity at Roseneath to take on more residents, and her vision is to attract new clients from outside the district.

Consultant O’Connell Care has been contracted to provide the management advisory board and Roseneath management with expert advice as the facility complies with ongoing industry reforms and strives for best practice.

Planned improvements include some refurbishing of the foyer area and some units in the shortterm but major capital works are set to start next year, in conjunction with the legislated requirement for the installation of a sprinkler system by September 2016.

There will be some reconfiguration of rooms and the dining rooms will be upgraded.

Mrs McOnie is keen to see meals delivered to rooms by the person who did the cooking, to establish a connection between the person preparing the meal and the resident eating it.

Consultant Deb Charlton, who was also at the meeting, said the works will be managed to minimise disruption to the residents, but in her experience residents find the activity very exciting.

“They love seeing the workmen,” she said.

While Mrs McOnie said there’s an industry move to keep people in their own homes as long as possible, as care needs increase it can place a lot of stress on the carer and an important role of Roseneath is to provide respite care.

“If they are able to access respite care, it can help maintain the carer’s help, but there also comes a point when they can’t be cared for in the home. There will always be a need for aged care facilities.”

Both Mrs McOnie and Mrs Charlton said they’ve seen new residents flourish after moving to an aged care facility, often enjoying better nutrition and more stimulation with diversional therapy such as organised in-house activities and bus trips.

“It beats sitting at home waitng for a relative to visit,” Mrs McOnie said.