Residents at Foley Village in Hilton were thrilled to celebrate 30 years since the launch of the Southern Cross Care retirement village.
Home to 86 individuals and regarded by the locals as “one of the most beautiful retirement villages in Perth”, Foley Village is situated just outside of the historical hub of Fremantle. Perched on First Hill, Foley Village enjoys ocean views across to Garden Island, from the two-story Larmenier Community Centre.
Long-term resident and site historian Margaret Bartley coordinated the anniversary event held on Wednesday 6 October.
Margaret has been pivotal in documenting the historical past of the land beneath Foley Village – tracing back to 1952.
The site was acquired by Archbishop Redmond Prendiville and a convent and ‘home for the aged’ was constructed.
Known as The Convent and St Basil’s Hostel, the Sisters’ of Nazareth cared for almost 1500 people between 1956 and 1991.
The site then was acquired by Southern Cross Homes, a non-profit organisation created by the Order of the Knights of the Southern Cross.
Work began in 1991 to create a state-of-the-art retirement village and respite centre.
It was named Foley Village after former Perth Archbishop William Foley, who passed away suddenly in February 1991.
Now known as Southern Cross Care (WA), the organisation has continued to invest in and expand the site over the past three decades.
The inaugural Foley Village Residents Committee was established in 2008.
The first committee chairman Laurie Miles and first vice-chairman Brian Watts still reside at Foley Village today.
Commenting on the anniversary milestone, Ms Miles said that even after all these years, Foley Village “continues to be a happy village and new residents are all made to feel welcome when they move in.”
“One of its’ main attractions is that it ensures the residents have an active social life.”
Foley Village Manager Beverley Kukura said she loves the thriving and close-knit community.
“There is always something on – line dancing, carpet bowls, knitting, exercise classes, canasta, rummikub or our popular mah-jong group,” she said.
Foley Village residents and staff Brian Watts, Beverly Kukura, Ken Pantany, Margaret Bartley and Laurie Miles. Photo: Supplied.
Foley Village is conveniently located on a bus route, located between Fremantle, Murdoch Station, and hospitals.
There is also a weekly village bus service that takes residents to different shopping centres.
For more information about Foley Village, please call Retirement Living Specialist, Adam Green on 0407 149 329.