Emmaus Village opening signals a landmark achievement in dementia care

The official opening of Emmaus Village and Community Centre on 2 October 2024 marks a significant milestone in dementia care, reinforcing our Parish’s unwavering commitment to providing compassionate and innovative care.

Emmaus Village is the first dementia care facility in New South Wales and regional Australia to adopt the Hogeweyk® model from the Netherlands. This innovative approach prioritises dignity, community, and normalcy, offering residents with dementia a real sense of home within a secure environment.

Fr Paul Gooley, Parish Priest, reflected on the guiding vision: “Emmaus Village embodies our core mission of care, dignity, and respect for those most vulnerable in our community.” This vision, nurtured over decades, became a reality with the creation of Emmaus Village… an environment where residents thrive, surrounded by a caring, vibrant community.

Located alongside Emmaus Home, the Village offers a secure, homelike setting for up to 94 residents. More than a care facility, Emmaus Village is a place where residents engage in meaningful activities and experience a high quality of life. With over 75 dedicated full-time staff, the Village’s twelve small homes, community centre, café, salon, and cinema all aim to enhance the residents' social and emotional wellbeing.

Senator Deborah O'Neill, representing the Federal Minister for Aged Care, Anika Wells, lauded Emmaus Village as “a remarkable feat of evidence-based leadership” that sets a new standard for dementia care in NSW. “This is not just a victory for Port Macquarie, it’s a vital step forward for dementia care in Australia,” she said. Cameron Murphy MLC, representing the NSW Minister for Health, further emphasised its far-reaching significance as a model for dementia care nationwide.

Tony Leahy, CEO of St Agnes’ Catholic Parish, expressed deep pride in the collective effort that brought the Village to life. “Emmaus Village is a testament to what can be achieved when we come together for a shared vision. It embodies the values at the heart of our Parish,” he said. The project was made possible through generous support from both the NSW Government and the Australian Government, which contributed $5 million for the community centre and $6.5 million via the ‘Building Better Regions Fund’ to construct the small household homes.

The opening of Emmaus Village has had a profound impact not only on residents and their families but also on the broader Port Macquarie community. The development has generated $20 million in local economic activity, strengthening its significance beyond dementia care.

Bishop Gregory Homeming OCD blessed the homes during the official opening, marking a new chapter for dementia care in the Parish. His blessing signified the Parish's continued commitment to providing a nurturing and safe environment for residents to call home, surrounded by a supportive community.

As Senator O'Neill aptly put it, “Emmaus Village is where dignity, community, and care meet, offering residents not just a place to live, but a place to thrive.” The model of care at Emmaus Village reflects St Agnes’ Catholic Parish’s holistic approach, nurturing residents’ physical, emotional, and spiritual needs with the utmost respect and compassion.

The opening of Emmaus Village is a transformative achievement for St Agnes’ Catholic Parish and is a living testament to our commitment to making a lasting impact in the lives of those we serve and reinforces our leadership in dementia care in Australia. The creation of this facility marks just the beginning of an exciting future for dementia care, and we look forward to continuing this vital work for many years to come.