A procession wove its way through each part of the integrated precinct giving residents, patients, families, volunteers, and clinical and support staff the opportunity to share in the celebrations.

Designed to support the changing health and lifestyle needs of patients and residents, the $154 million precinct is built on the site of the former Calvary Bethlehem hospital in Melbourne’s Caulfield South.

It brings together 69 premium retirement living units in the Hyson Apartments, 83 contemporary residential aged care rooms in the Huntly Suites, Calvary’s in-home care, and Calvary Bethlehem’s existing specialist hospital and health service for people needing palliative care or living with progressive neurological conditions. It will also include GP and other health services.

Calvary’s National Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Martin Bowles said Calvary Kooyong heralds an exciting step forward in the delivery of integrated care.

“Calvary Kooyong sets a new benchmark for integrated living and care,” Mr Bowles said

“The whole aim of Calvary Kooyong is to support our residents and patients to live well and in place as they age or as their care needs change. I am immensely proud of what we have achieved and thank everyone who has contributed and worked so hard to turn our vision into such a wonderful reality.”

Calvary was founded by the Sisters of the Little Company of Mary and is run by Little Company of Mary Health Care (LCMHC).

LCMHC Board Chair Jim Birch said the precinct represents a new chapter enabling Calvary to continue its mission of providing quality, compassionate care and services for an extended community.

“Calvary has been providing care and health services from this site for 80 years and we are very much looking forward to an exciting future that incorporates retirement living, aged care and health services in one integrated location.”

More than 70 people attended the official opening ceremony and blessing, including Calvary Ministries Chair, The Honourable Michael Lee, and representatives of the Sisters of the Little Company of Mary, Glen Eira Council, peak health agencies, those involved in the precinct’s development and construction, inter-faith groups and the traditional owners, the Bunurong people of the Kulin Nation.