The Cairns Aged Care Centre Turns 12
The Cairns Aged Care Centre at Chapel Hill (“The Cairns”) recently celebrated its 12th Anniversary, honouring it's amazing staff, facilities and of course its residents, who call the Centre home.
The Centre has built a prominent reputation amongst the local area, and this can be attributed to the Centre’s dedicated staff. One of these dedicated staff members who has been at the Centre since its commencement is Mr. Michael Flick, Diversional Therapist and Centre’s Lifestyle Coordinator.
Michael has been with The Salvation Army for 18 years and has worked at the Centre ever since its establishment in 2010. “The residents moved in on Australia Day in 2011 just following a premature start due to the floods earlier that month,” he says. “I thought the residents moved in like movie stars.”
Despite the delayed start due the flooding, the Centre itself has always been as Michael notes, “state of the art in Aged Care at the time and continues to improve change and diversify whilst retaining the underlying Salvation Army Values.”
Michael is one of the Centre’s original staff members, who finds his role thoroughly enjoyable. “I have always wanted to be the Diversional Therapy Co-ordinator for The Cairns as I find the role a colourful, exciting and creative one,” he explains “I love the happy friendly and caring culture here and the dynamic and resourceful multi-faceted staff of The Salvation Army. It has been an honour, pleasure and a passion of mine to work for such a noble organisation and the unique and special place that is ‘The Cairns.’”
Michael also notes the Centre’s special location and feel. “The Cairns Centre’s ducks and birdlife are really unique. To be so close to the city and have the nature at your doorstep. The Jacaranda Room is fun entertainment zone away from the main building surrounded by gardens and a great space to hang out and relax.”
“I like everything at the Cairns Centre, such as being with my friends,” resident Wendy says. “It is a very nice place.” Yvonne, also a resident, says she, “loves talking to fellow residents and the quality one-to-one interaction she gets here,” whilst Betty affirms, “the beautiful gardens are wonderful, the spirituality and the food and people are amazing too.”
The Centre’s Director of Mission for the Cairns Centre, Captain Terri affirms, “the residents are the thing I love most about The Cairns Centre and serving the hands and feet of Jesus that brings light to people.”
When we asked Michael how the Centre will be marking the occasion of its 12th anniversary, he states that it, “ will be celebrated with a special anniversary cake made by the caterers and cut by the Centre Manager and a resident following a Chapel service of Thanksgiving. .” And what’s a birthday without a trip down to memory lane? “Staff will also bring out old photograph albums and show a slideshow of this year’s activities, major events and achievements.”
