Juninga Centre in Darwin has been ranked top of the Territory

Juninga Centre in Coconut Grove has been ranked number one in the Territory. Hear from staff and residents what makes this place so special.

Staff Lyn, Sarita, Celise, Olympia and resident Roy at Juninga Centre. Picture: Darcy Fitzgerald

Juninga Centre in Coconut Grove was rated the best aged care facility in the Northern Territory.

The unsuspecting aged care home recorded a Star Rating of 4.34, nudging out second place Pearl Supported Care by 0.04.

The Star Rating out of five is issued by the federal Department of Health, assessing aged care homes’ quality of care, safety and services.

Jenny Messell has been the service manager at Juninga since 2006, starting off there 29 years ago as a resident nurse.

Juninga Centre staff were getting into the Christmas spirit. Picture: Darcy Fitzgerald

Ms Messell said there were 26 residents at Juninga — all Indigenous people, many from remote communities — along with more than 50 staff.

She credited those staff with Juninga Centre’s top performance.

“We don’t have much turnover of staff, so they get to know the residents very well and the residents get to know them,” Ms Messell said.

“They’re all doing a fantastic job.”

Personal Care assistant Sangay Tshomo is one of those staff.

Ms Tshomo has been at Juninga Centre since 2020 and said it was the best place she’d ever worked.

Ms Tshomo with resident Ingrid Mulurliba. Picture: Darcy Fitzgerald

“We have an amazing team here and the best manager who supports us,” Ms Tshomo said.

“The residents are also amazing.

“We encourage their independence — that’s the most important thing we do.”

Local legend Roy Manaway is a resident at Juninga Centre.

Mr Manaway was a publican at venues such as the notorious Dolphin Hotel in Nightcliff.

Mr Manaway with Ms Messell. Picture: Darcy Fitzgerald

Mr Manaway recalled the scene at the Dolphin during Cyclone Tracy.

“We were trading on Christmas Eve and I suggested we shut up shop as the wind picked up,” Mr Manaway said.

“The punters wanted a few more.”

In the end, Mr Manaway said he spent the cyclone hunkered down in the Dolphin.

By morning people arrived for a much needed drink, which Mr Manaway obliged.

“I said help yourself.”

Mr Manaway could only say good things about Juninga.

“The staff are excellent, the home’s nice and clean, and the meals are good,” Mr Manaway said.

Ingrid Mulurliba from Maningrida has been at Juninga for five years.

Ms Mulurliba was looking forward to Christmas at Juninga. Picture: Darcy Fitzgerald

“I like this place — they look after us,” Ms Mulurliba said.

Surrounded by tinsel and decorations, Ms Mulurliba outlined the Christmas lunch the residents would enjoy.

“We have a lovely meal at Christmas: oyster, prawn, geese and wallaby,” she explained.

Juninga Centre is run by the Australian Regional and Remote Community Services (ARRCS) and has been in operation for more than 35 years.

Originally published as Juninga Centre in Darwin has been ranked top of the Territory