Community
13 June, 2025
SWH seeking name for new aged care facility
SOUTH West Healthcare (SWH) is seeking community input to help name the soon-to-be-completed aged care facility located on Robinson Street.
This state-of-the-art aged care home will replace the current residential aged care facility, Merindah Lodge, which was built and opened in the 1970s.
The community are now invited to cast their vote to name this important community asset, picking from a short-list of possible names which include Leura Aged Care, The Lodge, Camperdown Aged Care, and Leehura Maar.
The name of the original building will be retained for the original Merindah Lodge facility, which will be repurposed and reused.
Community members interested in voting for their preferred name can access an online poll via a QR code which will also appear on posters in Camperdown and surrounding towns in the Corangamite Shire.
Community members can also vote via the South West Healthcare website, or by casting their vote the traditional way – with a pen and paper ballot box at the Camperdown Hospital front reception, at the IGA supermarket and at the Loaf and Lounge.
SWH chief executive officer (CEO) Craig Fraser said, while this brand-new facility is first and foremost a spectacular new home for current and future residents, the facility also features a number of shared spaces to promote increased interaction between residents, their families and the community.
“These spaces include a cafe space that will sell coffee, cakes and light meals, a hairdresser and a large, communal meeting room with AV (Ambulance Victoria) facilities,” he said.
“This amazing new aged care facility, with the inclusion of shared community spaces, will become a popular choice for generations of local people looking for care as they age.
“It’s important that the town of Camperdown and the wider region have the opportunity to contribute their thoughts to the name, and that we come to this decision collectively as a community.”
The 36-bed facility designed by architects ClarkeHopkinsClarke has been designed and built in line with best practice aged care standards and dementia-friendly design principles.
The design centres around three households, with each resident room being generously sized and featuring its own mailing address, ensuite, bed, television, keepsake memory box and seating to welcome visitors and guests as well as enough space for them to bring in any items that are special or personal to them.
Drawing on art pieces by local artist Jess Fowler, the three households each bear the name of local flora – Golden Wattle Grove, Banksia Drive and Bottle Brush Avenue, with each household courtyard space featuring said flora.
SWH executive director redevelopment and infrastructure Jamie Brennan said the inside of the households are colour-coordinated to assist with wayfinding for residents and guests, as well as contributing to the ambience and decor of the place.
“There have been lots of opportunities for local landmarks, icons and art to be reflected and incorporated in the new building, in the colours used, the artwork, the furniture and decals on the walls,” he said.
“It is important for our residents that we create spaces that are homelike and familiar as this helps to provide a sense of place and comfort as they age.”
Construction is set to be completed in late June before staff undertake training and education in the new facility, with a number of public open days then to be held in July, before residents make the big move into their new home in early August.
The final chosen name will be announced once residents settle in.
Mr Fraser said SWH “can’t wait” to share the facility to the public in coming weeks.
“The new aged care facility looks out across Camperdown taking in the clocktower and Mounts Sugarloaf and Leura, with a spectacular northerly aspect that has views all the way to Mount Elephant on a clear day,” he said.
“We can’t wait to share this incredible place with everyone very soon – it’s a beautiful, welcoming space that feels like a home.
“We hope that our residents can take pride in telling people that they live at this new facility – and that it bears a name they are proud of.”
Read More: Camperdown