By Lana Eather
This year marks the 35th year of operation for Orana Gardens Ltd, and this week the community celebrated those 35 years in conjunction with the grand opening of the new renovated centrepiece of the village, the Country Club.
In 1989, with joint funding from the Dubbo RSL Aged Care Association with members of the Dubbo RSL Sub-Branch and the Dubbo RSL Memorial Club, Stage 1 of Orana Gardens Retirement Village and the community facility named the Roundhouse was constructed. Over the next 12 years, the village and aged care business expanded from Stage 1 to Stage 9 of the estate. Along this journey, the association acquired, Wellington's Bellhaven Nursing Home, Orana Gardens Childcare and Tullamore's Kooringle Nursing Home. The final construction was John Whittle House (high care).
Orana Gardens Ltd now includes 148 retirement village units and 125 care places spread over sixteen acres conveniently located near Orana Mall, and the Japanese, Wiradjuri and Sensory Gardens.
After nine months of renovations Orana Gardens Ltd proudly opened the Country Club area showcasing a beautifully designed space comprising multiple different facilities. The Country Club now includes an allied health specialist room, a hairdresser, gym area, pool, spa, extensive bar facilities and an outdoor and indoor entertainment space. To celebrate this wonderful space residents, staff and local community members gathered for morning tea and lunch. North Constructions returned to provide a barbeque luncheon within the space they have recently created. The Country Club is utilised for special occasions, resident forum meetings, birthday BBQ and bingo, to the weekly 'knit and knatter', and viewing sporting events.
