New Carlet Wing opens at Aminya, expanding aged care at Mannum
An extra 20 aged care places are now available at the facility, including 10 in a dementia support unit.
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More than 60 people have gathered at Mannum for the official opening of the Carlet Wing at Aminya Village Hostel, a significant expansion of the community-owned residential aged care facility.
The new wing forms part of a significant investment in regional aged care and reflects ongoing efforts to support local seniors.
Aminya CEO Cherie Cheyne highlighted the importance of the project for the community.
“It is truly a pleasure to see such a strong turnout today as we celebrate the official opening of this important extension,” she said, noting the project had begun in March 2025 and represented a $10.5 million investment.
The expansion covers approximately 1600 square metres and includes 12 purpose-built private rooms with open-plan living, kitchen and dining areas to support resident independence.
Ms Cheyne also emphasised the inclusion of a 10-bed dementia-friendly memory support unit designed to provide a safe, supportive and dignified environment.
“Each room has been fitted with modern care beds and pressure-relieving mattresses, enhancing comfort and safety for residents while reducing manual handling for staff,” she said.
“This project has been made possible through the generous support of the Australian government, with $8 million in funding.”
With the expansion, Aminya’s residential care capacity has increased from 60 beds to 80 beds, creating additional employment opportunities and broader community benefits.
Rooms in the new wing feature elegant common spaces and thoughtful facilities. Photos: Zhen Pu.
Chairman Peter Raison provided context on the long-term planning behind the project.
“This project is not just a building, but a commitment to our community, our residents and the future of aged care in our region,” he said, acknowledging the careful planning and leadership that had shaped the project over more than five years.
Mr Raison also explained that after securing a $3 million grant in 2020, Ms Cheyne and the board had worked to raise an additional $5 million to bring the expansion to fruition.
He highlighted the Carlet Wing’s name – drawn from a lake which comes off the River Murray near Younghusband – as reflecting the region’s waterways and local heritage, and thanked long-serving staff whose decades of service formed the foundation of trust within the facility.
“Our responsibility is not just to provide care, but to provide comfort, dignity and a true sense of home,” Mr Raison said.
Federal MP Tony Pasin paid tribute to the contributions of board members and staff.
“Working in aged care isn’t just a job – it’s a calling,” he said.
“You are serving some of the most vulnerable people in our community.”
Mr Pasin also recognised the economic impact of Aminya as one of the larger local employers, and emphasised the value of providing care close to home.
“This is not just a facility, it’s a home,” he said.
“The additional 20 places, including 10 for memory support, are increasingly needed in our community.”
He reflected on the facility’s connection to the broader Murray Darling Basin community.
“As people living in the Murray-Darling Basin, water is our lifeblood, and it’s fitting that the new wing continues the tradition of names reflecting our local waterways.”
Outgoing state MP Adrian Pederick, who has represented Hammond for two decades, echoed the importance of meeting regional aged care needs.
“There are around 350 people in hospitals who can’t find an aged care bed, which highlights how important facilities like this are,” he said.
“It’s important that people can age near their home and live a comfortable life in their own community.
“This isn’t just about building – it’s about creating a home for people now and into the future.
“We are all getting older, and many of us will need facilities like this in the years to come.”
James Porter, a 90-year-old retired pianist who moved into Aminya six months ago, greeted arriving guests with elegant piano performances.
Long-time volunteers Dave and Bev Connell, who have contributed to the facility’s gardens for more than 16 years – more recently alongside the Lions Club – said the work had been a meaningful part of their lives.
At the opening are guitarist Mark Niven and his audience; Dave and Bev Connell; James Porter; and Bec Quast, Michelle Mundie and Cherie Cheyne. Photos: Zhen Pu.
After the opening ceremony, Aminya staff guided visitors through the new wing, showcasing the new rooms, lounge and dining areas, care stations and landscaped outdoor spaces.
Visitors were also shown a new physiotherapy gym and a dedicated wellness room, which will feature a therapeutic bath designed to support residents’ comfort and wellbeing, as well as a hairdressing salon and nail bar, further enhancing the lifestyle and care available to residents.
Guests were then treated to drinks and afternoon snacks, served with warm smiles from the friendly and welcoming staff.
Local musicians Mark Niven and Teresa Law, who is also an Aminya employee, added to the occasion by playing guitar and singing, creating a cosy and relaxed atmosphere enjoyed by everyone.
The official opening of the Carlet Wing marked not just the completion of a building, but a celebration of community support, ongoing care, and the shared vision of a place where older residents can live with dignity and connection.
- Volunteer at Aminya: Call 8569 1749 or email lifestyle@aminya.net.au.
Correction: This story has been amended to reflect the actual amount of grant funding secured by Aminya.
