Established in 1966 as Southern Cross Homes, and as a not-for-profit as Southern Cross Care (WA) Inc. (SCC) in 1968, the organisation has now developed into one of the largest and leading aged care providers in Western Australia.
Originally founded thanks to the vision and drive of a group of men from the Order of the Knights of the Southern Cross, SCC currently runs seven retirement villages across Perth, together with eight aged care homes and a ninth on the way.
The work of those men, Joseph A Cooke, Norm Dallimore, J Roy Fergusson, Gerard G Pilkington, Colin Pollett, Bernard F Prindiville, Francis J Townsend, John W Wall and Vincent T Davidson now sees care, support and accommodation provided to over 3,000 Western Australians.
The core activities of the organisation are as owners and operators of aged care, dementia, disability and mental health care, respite services, retirement villages, accommodation, residential care and ageing in place.
However, since 1999 SCC has also offered contract management and independent consultancy services to the aged care industry.
In 2008, SCC became the first organisation to register as a Growth Provider with the Department of Housing WA, which recognises SCC’s commitment to providing low-cost housing options for seniors in Western Australia.
As part of this process, a not-for-profit community housing provider (Southern Cross Housing) was formed, with the view of offering supportive housing for seniors, people with disabilities and individuals with a persistent mental health disorder.
SCC’s status as a not-for-profit organisation has been of great benefit in allowing for the fruits of SCC’s success to be fully re-invested into expanding both the types of services that can be provided to those in need, as well as the coverage of locations across Western Australia.
CEO Errol Turner explained to The Record Magazine that purpose of Southern Cross Care is to enhance quality of life through the provision of their services with the goal of providing enriched and happy lives to those they serve.
“We are committed to providing compassionate, just and equitable services to the whole community, reflecting the moral and ethical principles of the Catholic Church.
“Our core values are based on respect, integrity and compassion and seek to serve with excellence in what we do.
“We believe that every person is unique and listening to them and responding to their needs and aspirations is fundamental to us, while demonstrating and fostering empathy and sensitivity towards those we serve, their families and the whole community,” he concluded.
To know more about SCC or to find out about their services, visit www.southerncrosscare.com.au, or contact 1300 669 189 or email info@scrosswa.org.au.
From page 29 of Issue 10: ‘Social Outreach’ of The Record Magazine