The nuns lived there for many years until they decided to sell it, with two buyers seriously interested. The first intended to create a sports training centre, while the second consisted of a group of well-known Italians who, through a not-for-profit organisation, wanted to establish a care facility for the elderly members of their community.
Although the latter’s offer was lower, the sisters decided to sell to them, and in 1992 Assisi Aged Care was born. The first 90 beds were available the following year and increased to 120 in 1997 before increasing again to 150 in 2014 after an investment of $21 million.
With a board composed mostly of Italians, Assisi Aged Care is led by CEO Peter Birkett, who has decades of experience in the sector and has embraced the organisation’s goal of expansion and a renewed approach to caring for the elderly.
The centre has ambitious plans, hoping to make use of the eleven acres of land on which it stands to expand its structure and services by creating a residential village of one hundred and thirty independent living units.
While planning for the future, Assisi Aged Care remains firmly rooted in the principles on which it was founded, offering residents a welcoming and stimulating environment that helps them navigate the difficult transition from their own home to an aged care residence, where they suddenly find themselves living in a larger community far from familiar routines.
One of the centre’s points of pride is the kitchen, because rediscovering familiar flavours, especially for Italians, is no small matter. “In a normal aged care facility there is usually one chef per shift with several kitchen assistants—but always a single head chef,” explained Birkett.
“Instead, we have five chefs, which means we have greater capacity. At the table there are always lively discussions about food.
“If there are one hundred and forty residents, there will be one hundred and forty ways to cook a particular dish, [due to] personal preferences.”
The food on offer is a fundamental part of life at Assisi, and a significant portion of the budget is dedicated to it. “We know we are in the top ninety five percent nationally,” Birkett noted, referring to spending data for aged care food services across Australia.
Sauro Antonelli, a board member involved since the project’s beginnings in the ‘90s, highlighted the passion and dedication that have, for over three decades, driven their work of offering a serene and welcoming environment for all Italians in Melbourne.
This is why they strive to employ native Italian speaking staff. “It is not easy these days,” Antonelli admitted, “but some of the staff speak Italian.” Such staff members include Romana, who provides personal care for residents, and Tony, who organises entertainment and activities.
“We play tombola, cards, take them on excursions, organise a Carnevale celebration and every Tuesday afternoon there is karaoke, one of their favourite moments,” shared Antonelli.
Every detail is carefully considered—the walls, for example, are decorated with paintings that not only help residents identify the different corridors but also stimulate the senses and creativity through art.
Don Smarrelli, President of the Board of Directors of Assisi Aged Care, enthusiastically outlined the progress in the planning phase of the residential village development. The number of housing units will be determined by the restrictions imposed by the two heritage structures on the property—an old wooden house and the former convent.
“The goal is to create independent living units,” Smarrelli reiterated. “The project is remarkable in concept and in its proposal, and will take our centre to a completely new level.”
The idea is not new, as he explained: “We were almost ready to submit the permit application to the City of Banyule when Covid arrived and stopped everything. Now that we have resumed with renewed energy, there are still some details to finalise with architects, planners and builders.”
Another challenge has been figuring out how to fund such a significant plan. Several options are on the table, including a joint venture, but as Smarrelli clarified: “The idea is realistic and, with the right partner, absolutely achievable.”
Since no public funding is available, the board believes the only viable path is to find private donors who believe in the project.
The concept is based on creating an environment where, although people can live independently in an apartment with every comfort, they also have the reassurance of support and, if needed, access to fresh meals prepared by the chefs and the rehabilitation centre.
For social activities, residents will be able to use an Italian community space that includes indoor and outdoor areas, with a garden and a cafe.
With the intention of being of service to the broader community in the years to come, Assisi Aged Care is brimming with the anticipatory enthusiasm that precedes important milestones.
