50 Years Caring About People
For 50 years, Southern Cross Care NSW & ACT has been caring about people. We believe care is much more than just clinical. For us, it means individuality, respect, support, and partnership. Today, we support over 3,500 people in 40 locations across our retirement villages, home care services and residential care homes.
Our History
We were founded as a not-for-profit organisation by the Knights of the Southern Cross, a Catholic community group. Within two years, we opened our first retirement community in Marrickville and our first residential care home in Merrylands soon after. In the 50 years since, we’ve supported and cared for thousands of older Australians.
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Many things have changed since the early 1970s, but a complete commitment to care remains central to our work.
We’re living longer, healthier lives
Back in the 1970’s, the average Australian could expect to live to age 71. By our Golden Jubilee year, average life expectancy is nearly 84. That’s an ‘old age bonus’ of almost 13 years. As well as living longer, we’re generally healthier too, thanks to medical advances, more effective disease control, better nutrition and more informed lifestyle choices. Living longer means we must think carefully about how we wish to spend those extra years.
We now have more options in how we live our older years
Fifty years ago, there wasn’t much choice in aged care. If you needed support, perhaps you couldn’t cook for yourself, or you simply didn’t want to live alone, you may have moved into a hostel.
Today, we are much more fortunate and there are more choices available. Home care offers support in your own home. Retirement villages offer safe, supported, independent living in a community of like-minded people. And if more around-the-clock care is needed, there is residential aged care.
Southern Cross Care made a deliberate decision to offer all three types of care, providing choice to as many people as we can.
These are testing times for all in aged care. With the rise in dementia and the ever-present threat of COVID-19, vigilance and constant improvement is always necessary. Guided by the Aged Care Quality Standards, our team is passionate about making a positive difference in the lives of older people. With a five-decade foundation to build on, we’re prepared for whatever the next 50 years brings.
Stories to Share
A lifetime of caring and commitment for Trish
Trish commenced work with Southern Cross Care NSW & ACT in 2014, and her wealth of experience and ability to genuinely connect with people of all ages has proved invaluable during a changing healthcare landscape over the last 50 years.
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The importance of care and community in retirement
Retirement Living became the initial focus of Southern Cross Care NSW & ACT soon after it formed in 1970. Cardinal Gilroy Village at Merrylands opened in 1973 and today, still provides support and security for older people.
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Living life well with home care services
Southern Cross Care NSW & ACT began delivering Home Care services to Western Sydney in July 1996, followed by expansion into the Riverina in 1998. We now provide hundreds of Home Care Packages across NSW & the ACT.
Read moreMake A Difference
Join our team and make a positive difference in the lives of older people. We offer a broad range of careers in retirement living, home care, residential care and corporate roles.