An residential aged care facility in Gilgandra will benefit from a significant upgrade over the next year after being successful in obtaining government funding.

The Jack Towney Hostel, operated by Gilgandra Shire Council, is an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-specific facility and aims to find a balance between providing care for residents while also maintaining their independence.

It was first established by Aboriginal community leader Joy Trudgett who actively promoted Indigenous self-determination and community projects and identified a need for culturally relevant aged care accommodation.

Gilgandra Shire Council's Kathryn Larkin said the hostel was unique to the region in terms of the care it provides and was an important facility for the Gilgandra community.

"We provide a flexibility of care, that we ensure is personalised to their individual needs and supports both them and their families," Ms Larkin said.

"The facility is designed with our community in mind, with an open plan layout creating a home-like environment, and beautiful views of the surrounding bushland."

The facility is of special importance to the Gilgandra shire's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community, providing older residents with high-quality care while not sacrificing their independence. PHOTO COURTESY OF GILGANDRA SHIRE COUNCIL

Ms Larkin says it was a dedication to providing a continuous high level of quality and personalised care for residents that motivated council to apply for federal funding to upgrade the facility in June of this year.

She said council found out they had been successful earlier this month, receiving $343,583 towards the upgrades.

"Both the staff and residents of the Jack Towney Hostel are looking forward to the upgrades and the outcomes that these will give to our residents and families," she said.

"The funding will see the replacement of furniture and equipment as well as the refurbishment of 11 rooms in the hostel.

"This means we are able to purchase and replace equipment our residents use to stay connected with families such as video conferencing capabilities, which we know is particularly important in the times we are currently facing."

The funding will also go towards providing on-site staff development training to ensure hostel residents would continue receive a high quality service that was always looking to improve further.

Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton also welcomed the upgrades to the hostel.

“This funding will not only provide improved accommodation options for staff but it will also reinforce the important outcomes for Gilgandra elders, ensuring their needs continue to be prioritised,” Mr Coulton said.

According to Ms Larkin, council is now finalising the funding agreements with the government and the works are currently in planning stages, with an expectation they would last around 18 months from start to finish.