Takeover of rare remaining community-owned nursing home

The Proserpine Nursing Home, a cherished community asset established four decades ago through the collective efforts of local residents, is facing a significant ownership change. The facility, built with donations from sugarcane farmers, fundraising by the Rotary Club, and community events, opened in 1986. It provided a vital service, allowing the town's elderly population to remain close to home rather than relocate 90 minutes away.

Farmer Edward Dray's donation of a cane paddock was instrumental in securing the site. His granddaughter, Genevieve Moller, fondly recalled the home's atmosphere, describing it as a "wonderful community and family thing" where residents were familiar faces from their upbringing. This deep community connection is now at the heart of concerns surrounding the proposed transfer.

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It was a joy to go there; when you came home, you'd go to the nursing home because that's where the locals that you knew growing up were. It was just such a wonderful community and family thing.

Ownership is slated to move to Tasmanian-based provider Respect Aged Care, pending a vote by the Proserpine Nursing Home Association on September 7. While the transfer involves no financial exchange and Respect Aged Care has stated residents and staff will not be impacted, many are apprehensive. Robin Van Niekerk, whose mother resides at the home, fears that a larger, external company might alter the home's unique culture, potentially leading to a decline in care quality despite initial assurances.

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They might come out with lots of shiny things at the start to try and make it sound good but, in the long run, it's going to be a community asset that's no longer a community asset, and … I believe the quality of care will go down.