A Brief History

A brief history of Boandik Lodge

The concept for Boandik Lodge began in 1949 when the old aged, invalid and widow’s pension association made representations to the City Council. By 1952 public meetings and initial funding, sponsored by the Late Councillor AF (Tony) Sutton, initiated what is now Boandik Lodge. In 1956 the doors of the Mount Gambier Old Folks Home opened with accommodation for six men and six women. In 1959 the home was re-named “Boandik Lodge” in honour of the Boandik people who lived in the district at the time of European settlement.

There has been significant change to the size or the organisation and the range of services provided since that initial building opened. The expansion would not have been possible without the fantastic support provided by the Mount Gambier community. This support has ranged from individual donations, financial and in-kind support from service clubs and community organisations and the significant financial support provided by the Kessal bequest, City of Mount Gambier and District Council of Grant.

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Development overview

1956 - 1975

Construction of independent living units at the Lake Terrace site

1970

21 bed Kessal Wing Nursing Home opened at the Lake Terrace site

1984

Boandik Kessal increased to 30 beds

Allan Scott Day Therapy Centre constructed at Lake Terrace site

1985

Joint venture with SA Housing Trust for construction of Kentish Court units at Lake Terrace site

1986 - 1990

Redevelopment of Boandik Sutton original section of building

Addition of dementia specific unit

1995

Construction of Boandik Crouch street 36 bed low care facility

1996

Expansion of Boandik Kessal to 48 beds

1997

Initial 30 home care packages implemented

1998

Expansion of home care packages to provide services to 50 clients in the entire South East region

2000

Addition of 37 beds at Boandik Crouch, some being transfers from Lake Terrace

2005

Boandik St Marys opened with 50 new beds and 18 dementia specific beds transferred from Lake Terrace

Extended aged care at home program commenced with 10 packages providing high and low care service

2006 - 2016

Upgrade of Lake Terrace site, currently an 88 bed residential facility

Continued expansion of Boandik Community Care programs. Currently providing service to over 500 clients throughout the Limestone Coast

2008 - ongoing

Upgrade and replacement of Independent Living Units at Lake Terrace site

2013

Purchase of Kentish Court - 8 Independent Living Units

2016

Purchase and upgrade of Sutton Court Retirement Village in Port MacDonnell

2017

Recepiton / main entry upgrade Lake Terrace and Crouch Street

2018

New nurse call system at St Marys. - Air-conditioning in all rooms at St Marys and Crouch Street. - Overhead hoists installed in 68 rooms at St Marys

2020

Overhead hoists fitted to rooms, and Laube rooms upgraded at Lake Terrace

2019 - 2020

Community Wellbeing Centre (hydrotherapy pool), gymnasium, community rooms constructed at 101 Lake Terrace East, Mt Gambier

2022

Dementia specific accommodation village to be constructed. Currently under planning direction