Our Lady Mercy Place Harris Park residential aged care home officially welcomed its inaugural resident, as it opened its doors in Harris Park (NSW).
The opening of this long-anticipated home marks the realisation of a vision set forth by Bishop Antoine-Charbel Tarabay, Bishop of the Maronite Church of Australia, New Zealand, and Oceania, in collaboration with the board members of Our Lady Aged Care Centre (OLACC).
His Excellency Bishop Tarabay was on hand to welcome the home’s first resident along with the OLACC Board. Distinguished guests included The Hon Tony Bourke, Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, Minister for the Arts, Dr Andrew Charlton, Member for Parramatta, Lord Mayor Pierre Esber, Parramatta City Council, Deputy Mayor Rachelle Harika, City of Canterbury Bankstown, Ms Catherine Davies, Director, People & Corporate, Multicultural NSW, representatives from the Department of Health and Aged Care and representatives from Mercy Health; Ms Virginia Bourke, Chair of the Board, Ms Angela Nolan CEO and Ms Clare Douglas, Chief Executive Residential Aged Care.
Bishop Tarabay said, “We are here to extend a warm welcome to Mrs Juliette Saad, as her arrival signals the commencement of a new chapter in residential aged care for elderly people in Harris Park. Our Maronite tradition is one steeped in family and hospitality and it is our mission that everyone feels at home at Our Lady Mercy Place. I also express gratitude for the collaborative effort of Mercy Health, who will manage this beautiful home, in opening the doors to residents.”
Ms Clare Douglas, Chief Executive of Healthy Ageing at Mercy Health said “With this, the opening of Mercy Health’s 30th Residential Aged Care home in Australia and the first in Sydney, we proudly bring our legacy of care and compassion to the community. I extend a heartfelt welcome to our first resident but also to all who will soon find support and care within Our Lady Mercy Place Harris Park home. I look forward to our new residents benefiting from our personalised quality of care and lifestyle activities that define Mercy Health across all our residential aged care homes throughout Australia.”
Mr Barry Barakat, Chairperson of OLACC said, “This significant milestone marks a pivotal step in meeting the increasing demand for aged care services within our community. I am thankful for the opportunity to collaboratively create, alongside Mercy Health, a home environment that addresses practical and health requirements but also ensures the fulfilment of the pastoral and spiritual needs of our older community members. It is a space carefully designed to harmonise with our rich heritage and faith traditions.”
Strategically located at 128A Alfred Street in Harris Park and adjacent to Our Lady of Lebanon Co-Cathedral, the 85-room residential aged care home spans four levels, featuring private rooms, lifestyle activity spaces, an open-air rooftop patio, and entertainment area. The home also provides health, wellness, and beauty services, clinical and medical consulting spaces, a dedicated chapel, and a café.
Anyone interested in residential care at Our Lady Mercy Place Harris Park is encouraged to contact Mercy Health on 1300 159 265.