July 29th, 2026Time to move for Eileen, and loving new life
After she turned 90 last year, Eileen Quinlan decided it was time to move on her own terms – and chose Hepburn House. And she loves it.
Formerly Eileen Egan, it’s not far from her first home of Eganstown, named after John Egan her great-grandfather.
Eileen grew up on a farm there – where two of her five children still live on the 180-year-old family property, and then moved around after marrying.
If not busy enough with her large family, she also worked on her husband’s farming business, their trucking company and in businesses with her daughters. Mind you, despite the hours, she jokes she has never received a pay slip.
Her homes were around Victoria and New South Wales and then about 50 years in Ballarat before the move to Hepburn House in February.
“After my 90th birthday last year, I decided I probably should look at a place to spend the rest of my life. I didn’t want to wait until I was pushed in here by my family. “And I have found it a wonderful place. I really like it – it’s just so interesting. The staff are lovely and I have made many friends.
“I’m fortunate because I’m still able to get around and do things. I was also asked to be the advocate for the Village part of the facility so that has been a nice way of getting to know everyone.” Eileen said she had also met a lot of people from her school days and that she had known around the region growing up.
With good health on her side, Eileen still also gets out and about, making a point of heading to the Eganstown Anzac Day morning service. She usually takes along home-made Anzac Biscuits – although this year she gave it a miss. “It’s a great service and when the weather is good they have a fire and get billy tea happening.”
Eileen said she felt like she had completed the full circle.
“I was born and educated in Daylesford, lived on a farm at Eganstown for my first 20 years, then worked with my husband and then with my daughters in businesses in different locations. I have travelled a lot and now I am back to close the cycle – where I feel at home in Hepburn House.”
Hepburn House: Fostering independence. Enriching lives. Offering personalised care in a progressive, highly advanced and compassionate country setting – it’s the next best thing to home. New resident enquiries on 5348 8100.
