Cro Care

The idea of a Croatian aged care facility dates back to 1979 when the Australian Croatian Association of Geelong conducted a survey of the needs of Croatian elderly in Geelong, producing a report in 1980. This report clearly forecast a growing, ageing, migrant population and a lack of aged care facilities to meet those needs.

The First (Inaugural) meeting of the ‘Steering Committee’ for establishment of the Victorian Croatian Aged Care Facility was held on 3 November 2006 at the Croatian National Hall ‘Cardinal Stepinac’, Separation Street, Bell Park. The Australian Croatian Association Geelong passed a motion to set up a separate entity to commence planning for a Croatian Aged Care Facility in Victoria.

With the Federal Government approving the plan, Victorian Croatian Aged Care Services (VCACS) was established on 13 November 2006 to undertake the work.  A licence was subsequently granted in July 2013 to build a 100-bed residential Aged Care facility.

The shared vision was to build an aged care home in Victoria which fostered our cultural heritage and traditions, in an environment which provided enjoyable, meaningful, and home like experiences for our elderly.

Cultural expectations, traditions, and values shape varied models of senior care. That is why VCACS planned the first Croatian facility in Victoria – to ensure Croatian elders continued to be supported by our community, have access to services, age well and enjoy a good quality of life.

With thanks to the tireless work of the board, our new facility opened in July 2021.  We truly feel this facility will meet the needs of our elderly and become a proud accomplishment of the entire Croatian community.