Shelley Simpson is the new manager at Hepburn House and after just five weeks is already  loving her place in the community.  

Raised in Geelong and living in Ballarat for the past eight years, Shelley said she came to health  care relatively late in life.

“I was a bit of a late bloomer to nursing. When my grandma was admitted  to hospital and getting cared for by the amazing nurses, I thought this is the career I want to do, and it  would be very rewarding.  

“I started off as a personal carer and then I went and completed my certificate of nursing (Div 2),  after that all my friends had gone off and become registered nurses so I did that as well.

“I worked in  aged care in Geelong while I worked my way through university. Once I became a registered nurse I  commenced work in community nursing and then kind of fell into community palliative care – and  that is where I spent most of my nursing.  

“When I moved to Ballarat I started work at Ballarat Hospice Care and then I just found myself in aged care and I’ve loved it ever since. I was an assistant manager at Bupa Ballarat and then stepped into  this role.”

Shelley said she loved working with older people, being able to have a chat and a laugh, learn  their history and have the ability to give them choices and to live there best life.  

“If the resident doesn’t want to get up at seven o’clock, have breakfast and have a shower, they don’t need to. It’s all about choice basically because it’s their home.

“Also being able to offier the ability for  person-centered care that focuses on their individual needs and desired health outcomes.”  

Shelley said after five weeks she was already loving the staff, residents and Hepburn House. And former manager Dianne Jones had been very supportive in the changeover.  

“Once I had settled into my role, I would like to become more involved in the community engagement for the residents.

“Having the local kindergartens/daycare, primary and high school involved  and doing more activities in home with the residents and out in the community. Having that big  community focus, I think that’ll be great.

“At my previous employment we used to have kindergarten  kids come and they had such a great relationship with the residents, and vice-versa.

“We even had a  resident who used to make little wooden toys for the children. It was just lovely. So I hope we can get  that happening. No big changes, just a bit more community-oriented.”  

Advertorial

I never imagined Mum would move from our family home in Traralgon – her home for nearly 60 years.     

But after experiencing some health issues and coming to the realisation that living alone was no longer practical or safe, she made the decision to make Hepburn House her home during a respite stay.     

It was in her own time and on her terms. It wasn’t long before mum  embraced her new chapter at Hepburn House.     

The welcoming front office staff provide the first introduction to a truly warm experience. Whether you meet the physios, the cleaners, personal care staff, nurses, engaging activity organisers, the much-loved in-house tradie or the gorgeous staff who ensure cuppa time is never missed, everyone is focused on the wellbeing of residents and their families.     

Hepburn House gives you real comfort in the aged care sector with residents being shown so much respect and care.     

Over the past six months Mum’s transition has been a joyful experience for her and the whole family.

Of course it’s an emotionally difficult time leaving your home, friends and community. But the team at Hepburn House has helped Mum to easily settle into her new home.     

Being able to pop in just two minutes down the road to see Mum is a far cry from a five-hour drive and I love that she is now so close.

Importantly,  the decision to move was Mum’s, and I’m incredibly proud of her determination to adjust to her new home.

But for Mum it is all about how easy the team at Hepburn House have made it.     

“The care is wonderful. Nothing is too much trouble and whether it is day or night, the staff are always close by. The compassion and support shown by the staff across all areas make it a wonderful place to call my home.”    

 Words: Narelle Groenhout     

Chloe Dridan is loving working at Hepburn House’s new Memory Lane Unit.

The personal care assistant has been at Hepburn House since she left school at 18 and “likes caring for all people but I love the elderly”.

“I love working in the dementia unit because we are very people-oriented, rather than task-oriented. Every day is different and the clients all make their own choices.

“If they want a sleep in, they sleep in, if they want breakfast at lunchtime, they have breakfast at lunchtime, it is exactly as it should be, they are in control of their choices. They can have lunch outside in the sunroom.”

“And they are all wonderful. I don’t have favourites but we do have one man who thinks I am like his granddaughter and he gets really excited when I am on and enjoys my company.”

Chloe said it was also great to be working in a purpose-built unit. “For example, we have a woman here who loves the outdoors and we have a secure garden so our clients can go outside anytime they like. Or they might like to do a little cooking in the kitchenette.

“And they are also free to walk around the unit which means they are not getting lost – which sometimes happened in the Homestead area. Hepburn House is all a great place, but this unit is just seeing our clients thrive.”

Chloe said with the staff offering breakfast and lunch, with plenty of choices from the bain marie, some clients were “putting on a little weight, which is a good thing”.

“I think they are all eating a lot better, and we offer food all the time, and they are just enjoying their lives here. It’s also a bit quieter which is nice.”

Chloe said there were also puzzles and lots of different activities available during the day which clients could join in, or not.

“We are all enjoying the personal care we can offer here. And the unit is also fabulous with great views over the back paddocks. We count the kangaroos in the morning.”

Chloe said her own path to Hepburn House came after “hating school” and watching her mother, who also works at Hepburn House, involved in elderly care “forever”.

“Mum said I could leave school if I had a job so I did the training and started work. I had a break for two years but I came back because I missed it!”  

Hepburn House’s new, stunning extension, pictured above, is close to completion with inspections happening soon.

Manager Dianne Jones said the new area, which is Rainbow Tick accredited, as is all of Hepburn House, was open to everyone, offering a safe space for all.

Ms Jones will hold open afternoons on Saturdays from December 9, from 1pm to 3pm, until the facility opens in January. Bookings are needed via email to dianne@hepburnhouse.com.au in case of any last minute changes.

Covid RAT tests are not needed until the extension opens. For inspections during the week contact Hepburn House to arrange an time.

Hepburn House is also keen for more staff, either working or doing a Certificate 3 onsite next year. Anyone interested should go along and bring their resume.

During the open days the original building will not be open for viewing. For those interested in taking a look at that building, they will need to make an appointment and complete a RAT test.

Hepburn House, located at 1 Hepburn Road, Hepburn, is a residential aged care facility designed to provide a safe, secure, healthy and happy environment.

Staff care for residents while meeting individual lifestyle needs and managing practical issues for each resident.

Set amongst the picturesque surroundings of Daylesford, with glorious vistas
of the surrounding countryside from almost every window, Hepburn House
is serene and welcoming, the perfect place to spend quality years.
Hepburn House is a Commonwealth Government-funded aged care facility that
can provide customised advanced services to accommodate the needs of all residents
as they change over time.
There is a registered nurse on duty 24 hours a day, a physiotherapist on site,
wonderful care, hospitality, and lifestyle staff. The staff are professional and friendly.
With lots of activities and outings and nutritious, fresh meals cooked in-house and
the residents are happy and engaging.
Hepburn House has maintained rainbow tick accreditation since 2018, validating
it as a facility that is not only safe and friendly for LGBTIQA+ people, but also has
the knowledge and skills to deal with the particular needs of the community.
Hepburn House is inclusive and affirming to all people who choose to live here
and has strong policies devoted to privacy and freedom of choice.
Daylesford is a hub for many LGBTIQA+ residents, businesses and events, which
makes Hepburn House an ideal place for elder LGBTQIA+ people to live and be
close to community and activities.
The new wing adjacent to the facility is currently being built with completion
expected in November this year. This will feature 31 high-quality rooms – THE
VILLAGE. Another 15-bed wing is being purpose-built to support people living with
dementia – MEMORY LANE.
Hepburn House has built a culture of safety and respect so that the entire facility
is equally inclusive for LGBTIQA+ people. There is no segregation between the wings
at Hepburn House. All residents will be encouraged to enjoy the new communal
spaces in THE VILLAGE and MEMORY LANE. These include lounges, dining
rooms and external balconies with views.
Hepburn House offers a range of private rooms to suit different needs and
budgets. The new high-quality rooms in THE VILLAGE will be available to all
prospective residents. However the cost of the new build means that rooms in THE
VILLAGE may not be affordable for some.
Rooms in the original wing, aptly named THE HOMESTEAD, offer a
more homely environment which may be the choice for some. Rooms in THE
HOMESTEAD can accommodate prospective residents who are “fully or partially
supported” by aged care funding but rooms in THE VILLAGE cannot. There are
facilities for couples in both THE VILLAGE and THE HOMESTEAD.
MEMORY LANE, the 15-room wing purpose-built to support people living with
dementia features large communal areas, courtyards with private dining areas, private
lounges, and a garden area with raised garden beds all with magnificent views.
A nostalgic kitchen will enable residents to cook with staff supervision (volunteers
welcome). This will be an area of the facility that will be very attractive to all residents
to spend time there ensuring those living with dementia are not isolated. MEMORY
LANE will also be able to accommodate some fully supported residents who require
this specialised care.
It is hoped that the expansion of Hepburn House, with its vast communal spaces
and multiple purposes rooms, gardens, courtyard, workshed, cooking facilities and
theatre will promote community engagement. This extension aims to bring the
community in to ensure our residents are a part of and not separate to the rest of the
community.
The transition into aged care is often fraught with fear and anxiety for many
elderly. Hepburn House with the opening of the new wing will offer respite services
where elderly members of the community with current aged care respite approval can
enjoy a two-week respite before deciding on a permanent move.
The cost of respite is affordable to all and always indexed at 85 per cent of the
old-age pension. It is hoped offering this service will make the transition into aged
care easier – and we will do all we can to make you feel welcome and comfortable.
This significant expansion means Hepburn House urgently requires more staff
and we are putting out the call to all qualified people.
Anyone who has ever thought about a tree-change, now is your opportunity.
Relocate from the sepia haze of Melbourne to the calendar-picture perfection of
Daylesford with its lush greenery and glass-surfaced lakes.
If that is not incentive enough Hepburn House is also offering one month’s free
accommodation in a fully furnished one or two bedroom apartment, with a further
two months at $220-$350 per week for new full-time workers who need to relocate.

It’s a job you have to do well. Jim Lycett was an hydraulics engineer with Ansett Airlines – working on the important things like landing gear and brakes – and he loved it.

Now and again Jim would get the call that he had an hour to get on a plane to Brisbane to work on a jet up there, and would call his wife Linda to say he would be home the following day.
“We never got much notice but I loved it. We would often sit up with the pilots and I just thought it was a terrific job.”
Jim retired in 1986 after Linda suffered from a few health issues but the couple continued with life in Ballarat, living pretty independently.
When Linda’s health worsened, from having a few falls at home to being kept in hospital for a week about eight years ago, the doctors made the call and said she had to move into full-time care. Hepburn House was the choice.
Jim, then 88, lived alone and thought he was coping pretty well. “I learned to cook a bit, nothing like Linda, she was a real hot cook. I remember her serving up meals to 300 people in a church one time, no problem. But I did a bit of slow cooking and I would freeze some meals, and our daughter and daughter-in-law arranged for fortnightly supermarket delivery.”
But eventually, after chats with his doctor, Jim also moved into Hepburn House and is loving life there, although Linda has sadly since passed away.
At 96 Jim has taken on another career as a sort of part-time counsellor and residents’ advocate.
“If the residents have a grizzle and don’t want to take it to the top they can refer it to me and I listen to them and ask if they want to take it further. Mostly they don’t but they can pour out their troubles and I listen. If they do want me to take it higher up I talk to the staff or even the manager Dianne.
“Mind you, I very rarely get any grizzles. It’s great here, we are very well treated, and it’s just like being with a big family. The staff cook great meals, they do the cleaning and then we have the carers looking after us. And I still get out and about – I visit my sister at Clarkfield for a week or so now and again. It’s a good life.”
Hepburn House is a progressive aged care centre offering a highly advanced, fully personalised range of aged care services for residents in a home-like setting.

Mahilpreet Singh (pictured above) moved to Australia from India in 2020 – just in time for
Covid lockdowns.
The now 22-year-old lived in Craigieburn with his uncle and found work at
Australia Post as a parcel sorter while studying to enter the health sector. He made
the move to Ballarat to be closer to his university at Mt Helen – and hopefully some
face-to-face classes.
By this time he was qualified to be a personal care worker and “accidentally”
applied to Hepburn House, not realising it was a bit of a drive from Ballarat.
He got the job and now loves both his work and the drive from home and back.
“That first day, when I applied, I was driving through Dean and Newlyn and when I
passed those towns they actually reminded me of my farming village, Nanakpura, in
India. So it’s just a lovely scenic drive. And I love my work. I have now graduated as a
nurse and am loving being in aged care.”
Mahilpreet said Hepburn House took great care of its clients and staff and while
he had another choice of working in the field of mental health, the decision had been
made for him.
“I am absolutely loving it. It is a very nice facility and everyone is lovely. I used
to help older people when I was living in India which is why I wanted to become a
nurse. My first placement was in aged care and I just loved it from the start.”
Mahilpreet said he moved at 19 from India for more opportunities, living with
his uncle for some time which made the move a little easier, especially with Covid in
the background.
And while he loves nursing he has plans to eventually continue his studies.
“But at the moment I am very happy where I am, loving Hepburn House and my
drive, so I will just see how things go.”
Hepburn House is a progressive aged care centre offering a highly advanced,
fully personalised range of aged care services for its residents. Dedicated staff, like
Mahilpreet, work to create a comfortable, friendly and diverse community. Residents
are cared for while meeting individual lifestyle needs and managing practical issues
for everyone.
For more information head to hepburnhouse.com.au or call 5348 8100