May 3rd, 2026Melva’s loving life to Hepburn House

Melva Parsons grew up in Melbourne and her first job was at a West Coburg milk bar at the age of 14.
She married Ian in 1959 and the couple had three children, Vicki, Louise and Michelle.
The couple moved to Main Ridge to take up life as farmers for 36 years, moving to Mt Martha when that became too much like hard work.
With two daughters living in Daylesford, and Ian passing away in 2024, Melva spent some respite time at Hepburn House nine months ago, and is back permanently after a fall. Now fully recovered, she couldn’t be happier with her new home.
“The friendliness of everybody is absolutely amazing. You feel like you’ve known people forever. Everybody is so courteous and kind and caring. I’ve never been in a place as caring as this place is. And they have special workers here to look after you, to look after your interests, keep you busy. It’s wonderful.”
Along with the farm – we’re talking up to 1000 chickens and about 50 cattle, Melva was also a potter for about 30 years selling her products across the Mornington Peninsula including the famous Red Hill Market – and to House stores around Australia.
Turning 88 next month, Melva said her view at Hepburn House reminded her of home.
“We had kangaroos everywhere and that’s why my daughter picked a room for me here, so I look out up the hill and there’s kangaroos outside my window. It’s beautiful.”
Melva said she was still keen to head back to her Mt Martha home – she has not been back since her fall – and says that will make the move more real.
“My daughters will take me home for about four days. I haven’t been back there since I literally hit the deck, so it will be nice to go back and pick up a few things and have a good look and make sure it’s still being looked after okay.
“But it’s great here. There is so much to do. Drew took us on a lovely bus ride the other day and we bought fish and chips in town and took them up to the lake. I haven’t had fish and chips out of a paper for a long time, I felt like I was a kid again. I’ve stayed in a few respite places, and there’s been nothing like this place here.
“They’re just so caring, and they don’t treat you like an idiot because we’re not, you know? Sometimes in respite places, because you’re old, they think you haven’t got a brain anymore. Well, a lot of us still have!”
Hepburn House is at 1 Hepburn Road, Daylesford.
Phone 5348 8100 or email reception@hepburnhouse.com.au Advertorial