A long-awaited aged care home has finally opened in Harris Park, catering for members of the local Lebanese Maronite Catholic community.
Officially opening last week, the Our Lady Mercy Place Harris Park aged care home was blessed by the Maronite Patriarch Mar Bechara Boutros Cardinal Rai.
Built over five levels with residential rooms located on the upper four levels, the home is expected to welcome its first residents next month.
It’s been a long time in the making, with the aged care home first announced back in 2013 to meet the community’s growing need to provide culturally focused care for the elderly.
Barry Barakat, Chair of Our Lady Aged Care Centre, said he is proud the Our Lady Mercy Place has been completed, adding that it’s a facility that will serve the community for decades to come
“There is a significant population of first and second generation Maronite elderly who are seeking quality aged care close to their community,” he said.
“This facility addresses those needs and allows residents to easily integrate with the Our Lady of Lebanon Parish precinct.”
Barakat said the response from the community to the Harris Park aged care home has been phenomenal.
“I know we have done something right when the elderly in our community, noticing the progress and construction of the aged care centre, approach me and they badger me ‘when are you going to open?’… ‘how high up is my name on the waiting list?’,” he continued.
“Our community needs many more of these aged care facilities, ideally located close to our Parish communities.”
The multi-million dollar facility features 85 rooms with ensuites, two group dining rooms on each level, activity and leisure rooms and an outdoor rooftop area with scenic views.
Residents will also have access to health, physio, hair and beauty therapies, including a dedicated chapel, as well as plenty of technology to keep them connected.
The aged care home received funding from both the Federal and NSW Government, as well as the Maronite Eparchy of Australia and the wider community.
Attending the opening, Minister for Multiculturalism Steve Kamper said it was his “absolute honour” to celebrate the momentous occasion
“The population of Australia is aging rapidly, a fact we can’t ignore. By 2042 the number of Australians aged 85 and over is projected to double,” he said.
“This highlights the importance of having appropriate aged care services for our community and this nursing home is tailored to meet the unique religious, cultural and language requirements of those of the Maronite faith.”
The event was one of several public engagements for the Maronite Patriarch as part of his historic visit from Lebanon to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of the Maronite Eparchy with the community.
Ellie Busby is a news reporter for Western Sydney Publishing Group. A graduate of the University of Hertfordshire and Western Sydney University, she is a journalism Major. Ellie has worked with Universal Media, The Cova Project and for a range of other organisations. In 2024, Ellie was named Young Writer of the Year at the Mumbrella Publish Awards.