Banksia Lodge was proud to host the official opening of Rosella House, Kookaburra House and the cafe. Attended by representatives from all three levels of government, Banksia board members and management team, Department of Health officials and the project team, the event included an official opening ceremony and a tour of the new households and a chance to chat with residents.
Fiona Phillips MP, representing The Hon. Mark Butler MP , Federal Minister for Health and Aged Care, cut the ribbon and congratulated Banksia on achieving wonderful outcomes for residents. Attendees were impressed with the way that the small household model of care is being embedded, to align with the built environment.
Construction of Stage 1 of a Masterplan was completed in September 2025 and included establishment of two small households and a cafe in the eastern end of the existing Banksia Lodge building. Each small household of 11 residents is supported by a Homemaker and Care Companion, with a Registered Nurse on site 24 hours per day to oversee clinical care.
Research conducted in by the Centre for Ageing Research and Translation at University of Canberra demonstrated that
residents describe a calmer, more personal and more homelike environment,staff valued the opportunity to deliver genuinely person-centred care, andfamilies observed marked improvements in resident wellbeing, mood and social connection.The changes undertaken to date represent Stage 1 of a Masterplan to convert the whole of Banksia Lodge to small households. Banksia is actively considering how to fund the next stage of the masterplan and will continue to apply for government grants as they become available.