100 years on, Yackandandah is still caring for its own locals
A small Victorian town with a long history of rallying together to save vital services will this week mark 100 years of bush nursing, an important milestone for the Yackandandah community.
On Friday 24 April the town, one of only three in Victoria marking 100 years, will celebrate the occasion with the opening of a bush nursing exhibition at the local museum.
This will be followed by a community open day at Yackandandah Health Aged Care, bringing together the town’s history and its present-day model of care.
Over time, many small regional health services across Australia have been forced to adapt, merge or often close, as workforce shortages, funding pressures and increasing regulatory demands reshape how care is delivered outside metropolitan areas.
In Yackandandah, continuity of care services has been sustained through ongoing community advocacy.
Geoff Simmons, President of Wellbeing Advocacy Yackandandah (WAY), a community-led group supporting local services and the town’s long-term wellbeing said there had been many times where the future of the town’s nursing service was uncertain, and the community stepped in, raising funds, rallying support and doing what was needed to keep the doors open
“For 100 years, this town has made sure care stayed local. That’s never been guaranteed, it’s something people have worked hard to hold onto,” Geoff said.
“Maintaining a local aged care service also enables our older community members to remain living close to family, friends and the place they know as their needs change.”
He said that same mindset extends beyond healthcare.
“When something matters here, people don’t sit back,” he said.
“When the local fuel station was at risk, locals came together and bought it to keep it running. It’s the same thinking where people take responsibility for what they want to keep.”
The town’s health service began as a small sanatorium in the late 1800s, before formally transitioning into the Yackandandah Bush Nursing Intermediate Hospital in 1926 after a community-led effort to secure its future.
From its earliest days, the service has been shaped by local fundraising, volunteer support and a shared belief that care should remain within the community.
Today, Yackandandah Health supports the community through residential aged care, independent living, primary health care and early learning, serving people across all generations.
Nola Crichton, a recently retired Registered Nurse who has dedicated 31 years to caring for locals at Yackandandah Health, knows first-hand how important it is to maintain these health services for the town.
“Having care here in town makes a real difference. When something happens, people need to be seen straight away,” Nola said.
“Without it, people would be travelling long distances just for a consult, and for many, especially older residents, that’s simply not realistic.”
She said that continuity shaped the way care was delivered.
“That familiarity with Yackandandah Health meant you could care for them in a way that felt more personal, more considered.”
“It’s always been about keeping people close to where they belong,” she said.
Aatqa Ameer, Residential Services Manager at Yackandandah Health, said sustaining local care today requires a different level of support than in the past.
“Aged care has become much more challenging over time, with increasingly complex governance, compliance and reporting requirements,” she said.
“As a stand-alone provider, especially in a regional area, it’s difficult to navigate these challenges without expert support.
“We’re fortunate to now be a part of Apollo Care, a national alliance that specialises in regional aged care. We are supported by a team of industry experts that make the complex simple, allowing us to stay focused on residents and families.”
The open day on 24 April will begin at 9:00am with a bush nursing exhibition, Thank God You’re Here, Nurse, at the local museum, before continuing at Yackandandah Health Aged Care where residents, families and the broader community can take part in intergenerational activities, including the creation of 100-year handprints and traditional nurse’s hats.
“Reaching 100 years is a proud milestone for us. We’re also excited that the future of care in Yackandandah looks bright, with local services, including aged care, a medical centre and early learning continuing,” Mr Simmons said.
“This is about making sure people in Yackandandah can continue to access care close to home, now and well into the future.”
To find out more about our welcoming community, call our friendly admissions team on (02) 6028 0100 or email info@yackhealth.org.au.