This Saturday, Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv, Bishop of Parramatta, will bless the new redevelopment at St Hedwig Retirement Village in Blacktown, as residents were welcomed into the Village’s new apartments.
Deacon John Cinya from Mary, Queen of the Family Parish, Blacktown, will represent the local parish and assist with the blessing, which will be attended by the NSW State Member for Blacktown, Stephen Bali, and Catholic Healthcare CEO, Josh McFarlane.
The first stage of the 72-apartment Blacktown redevelopment was officially completed on Tuesday after Catholic Healthcare was handed the final paperwork from authorities.
Catholic Healthcare CEO Josh McFarlane said it was a major achievement for the organisation and an important milestone for the St Hedwig community.
“The new apartments and facilities will help to provide residents with a fantastic quality of life and will help to bolster an already thriving community with a deep history,” he said.
“We are immensely proud of the strong bond between residential aged care and retirement living, which perfectly embodies Catholic Healthcare’s philosophy of fostering catholic connected communities.”
Chief Property Officer Peter Paltoo, who started in the role in August of last year, said it was a rewarding first project to tackle.
“I’m so excited to deliver this project to the residents of St Hedwig,” he said.
“Getting the build done is testament to the efforts of our team and our partners and we’re so happy to see the residents start to move in”.
Village manager Jenny Roberts said she was excited to see the doors finally open.
“I’m really looking forward to welcoming our residents and helping them settle into their new homes.”
“The apartments are designed with a focus on comfort and security, where our residents can live independently but with peace of mind knowing that there is support from our home and community team and the onsite aged care facility, should needs change in the future.”
The redevelopment will help to refresh the existing site which, with its aged care home and retirement village, has supported the local community for more than three decades.
Established by Sydney’s two German-speaking Catholic communities—St Raphael in Blacktown and St Christophorus in Croydon, St Hedwig was predominantly for German-speaking people who found a sense of belonging with like-minded neighbours, and comfort in the freedom to converse in their mother tongue.
In 2020, it merged with Catholic Healthcare and plans were created for 72 contemporary retirement apartments as well as a new aged-care residence.
Stage one of the redevelopment consists of 72 apartments, common areas including a community room, a gym, a BBQ area and gardens.
With thanks to Catholic Healthcare.
