Cairns pensioners fight for senior citizens club

Cairns pensioners have told the Cairns Post that  they will fight a local aged care provider’s bid to move them from their much-loved senior citizens social hall.

Blue Care has given the Cairns Senior Citizens’ Association until 30 June to get out of their “second home” of 35 years, so it can be sold to developers.

“We’re too old for this rubbish,” said the seniors club vice president, Carlo Fomiatti.

Secretary Jean Stewart, 74, said more than 300 people and a number of community groups were affected by the eviction notice hanging over the Westcourt site.

“If we have to vacate it’s going to impact on a lot of lives, the oldies are very upset about it,” she said.

“They have an emotional attachment and a feeling of familiarity to this place and they feel they are losing their sense of place, it’s upsetting.”

The association has 180 members, aged between 70 and 90, and nowhere to relocate to. Mr Fomiatti said the club’s livelihood was in the balance.

Blue Care wants to sell the site to pay for ongoing costs at Glenmead Retirement Village at Redlynch.

Blue Care executive director Stephen Muggleton said the association was told of the sale of the former Good Samaritan Aged Care Home in December.

“We understand the inconvenience for tenants moving premises and Blue Care will pay any moving expenses to ease their relocation and offer assistance in finding suitable alternative accommodation where needed,” Mr Muggleton said.

“It is with disappointment that I make this announcement but Blue Care needs to ensure our services are funded so we can continue caring for the elderly and others in need in the local community.”

In 1971, Blue Care – formerly Cairns Blue Nursing Service – donated a portion of the land on the corner of Gatton and Lyon streets to the Senior Citizens Association to build the centre.

Ms Stewart said the church had given the land at the time as a gift for the hall to be built. Blue Care has tried to sell the land for the past four years but was delayed due to clear title issues.

This has since been resolved with the Department of Housing and Blue Care is now moving to get fresh valuations.