Nathalia Barwo Homestead - The first 30 years of an Aged Care Facility in Nathalia

Our local community had a very special new Book release on Wednesday October 12!

Barwo Homestead

'The first 30 years of an Aged Care Facility in Nathalia'

by Jeanette Holland

"A brilliant book that shows a committee that poured so much in to build an Aged Care Facility for the township, with the amount of funding needed - it makes for truly captivating read seeing how a community supported and pulled together to make this project happen." - RGC

Words from the Author:

“I have been on the Barwo Homestead Committee of Management for 24

years to date and it is one of the most enjoyable committees that I am a
member of. The harmony, dedication and eagerness to ensure that the
welfare of residents and staff is the top priority of all concerned is felt very
strongly amongst the Committee.
I attended the 25th Anniversary of the opening of Barwo Homestead (now
five years ago) where the founding chairman Bernie Ryan spoke of the
establishment of the Homestead. It was such an interesting story that he
told, and so I said to him “Have you got all that written down?” his answer
was “No”. He had told the story as he knew it, without notes, as he had
lived through the trials and joys of the early years.
Stories like - the challenges of getting started; getting the community
support; obtaining government funding; the early generous donations; The
many methods of fundraising and the one story that really stuck in my
mind was - the parcel of money at the post office.
This got me thinking... I hate to see history lost because it is only known in
the memory of those who were involved. Especially for such an important
facility to the township of Nathalia and the surrounding district.
So, I set about doing something about it. And this book is the result.
I started with an interview with the three members of the first executive
committee, Bernie Ryan, Gerald Quinn and Julie Poon. It has taken me
many hours of research, transcribing, copying and writing but I am pleased
to say that now we have a documented history of the establishment and
the first 30 years of a hostel for the Aged in Nathalia.
I hope the contents are accurate as I have tried very hard to check the
details are correct.
I do not know where to start with thanking the people who have helped
me along the way with information and photographs. The foresight of
Committee members who started and kept up many scrapbooks of
newspaper cuttings has helped me immensely. To all who have given me
assistance with this project, I say a heartfelt ‘Thank you’.”
- Jeannette Holland, Author

'Barwo Homestead - The first 30
years of an Aged Care Facility in
Nathalia’ by Jeanette Holland
Copies are available to purchase $35 each and can be purchased from Jeanette
Holland on 0420 247 480 or Nathalia
Printers at 51 Blake Street Nathalia.