A new era begins
The month of May marked a very special occasion for Catholic Healthcare with the blessing and official opening of St Hedwig Retirement Village.
Catholic Healthcare CEO Josh McFarlane opened proceedings, paying tribute to the St Hedwig community.
‘As we embarked on this project, it was important to Catholic Healthcare to honour St Hedwig’s legacy - a community with a rich history, heritage, and filled with compassion and communal spirit.’
‘We are immensely proud of the redevelopment of St Hedwig Retirement Village, which perfectly embodies connected Catholic communities through its strong bond with nearby St Hedwig residential aged care,’ he said.
The redevelopment has refreshed the existing site, which has a residential aged care home on-site. Stage one of the redevelopment consists of 72 contemporary apartments and wonderful lifestyle amenities and gardens.
The Most Reverend Vincent Long Van Nguyen, Bishop of Parramatta, blessed and opened the village.
‘I congratulate Catholic Healthcare, which has worked in close partnership with the two German-speaking communities, St Raphael and St Christophorus, in bringing about such a marvellous expanded facility for the residents, present and future,’ he said.
As we embarked on this project, it was important to Catholic Healthcare to honour St Hedwig’s legacy - a community with a rich history, heritage, and filled with compassion and communal spirit. Josh McFarlane, Catholic Healthcare CEO.
Bishop Van Nguyen was joined by Stephen Bali, MP, Member for Blacktown, Fr Roland Maurer, Parish Priest for St Raphael Blacktown, Manfred Kersch, Chair of Bonifatius Association Sydney, Patrick Cooper, Chair of Trustees, Catholic Healthcare, Stephen Teulan, Board Chair of Catholic Healthcare, Anne Carroll and Mr Steven Rubic, Board Directors, Catholic Healthcare, Councillor Kathie Collins, Blacktown Council, Members of the St Hedwig Advisory Committee as well as residents, Catholic Healthcare employees and community members.
Mr McFarlane made particular mention of the incredible effort involved to bring the project to completion.
I want to acknowledge the hard work of many people who have worked tirelessly to make this redevelopment a reality, including the Bonifatius Association of Sydney, the St Hedwig Advisory Committee, Richard Crookes Construction, Blacktown Council and our wonderful team from Catholic Healthcare, including Vanessa McKenzie, Peter Paltoo, Gisi Ball, Claire Tracy, the Property team and St Hedwig Retirement Village Manager, Jenny Roberts.
The occasion was celebrated with a community festival afterwards featuring entertainment including a performance by the St Michael’s Primary School choir and German cultural dancing, a nod to St Hedwig's German-speaking Catholic founders.
If you are interested in finding out more about St Hedwig Retirement Village, please call 1300 191 472 or email us at sales@sthedwigvillage.com.au