New residents activate Alumuna

Their three bedroom home off Scoullar St, behind Finley Regional Care, is one of six homes completed so far as part of the multi-stage residential project.

Funding secured by Finley Regional Care last year — $1.25 million from the Federal Government’s Building Better Regions — is expected to cover the costs of another 12 homes.

Finley Regional Care CEO Ben Levesque said plans for their development would start once the remaining five homes constructed in stage one have been occupied.

‘‘This is a huge moment for us, and the development, to have our first residents move in,’’ Mr Levesque said.

‘‘It is a key point in the future of our growth, so we are very grateful.’’

Mr and Mrs Silby have lived in Finley for more than 20 years, and in the district for about 40 years.

Mr Silby was a local real estate agent and Mrs Silby was a school teacher, and they say having the option to relocate to a retirement living complex while staying in their home town was an important one.

‘‘With the services Alumuna offers it makes things easier for both of us as we get older and it’s comfortable living,’’ Mr Silby said.

‘‘The house is manageable and an easy commitment; everything is done for us.

‘‘I’m not in the greatest of health so knowing these services provided are available — especially for the frail aged — is great. It would be very hard otherwise.

‘‘We know some people who have shown an interest in taking up a house, so hopefully we don’t wait too long for our neighbours.’’

Mrs Silby said the best thing about downsizing is that ‘‘nothing has really changed’’

‘‘We first lived in Berrigan for many years before we lived here and we find Finley a really good place to live. That’s why we still want to live here.

‘‘We deliberately built a house for our retirement so we could have the same friends, same business and keep everything else the same.’’