St Andrews Ballina new management operator for former Feros Care in Byron Bay

Residents of former Feros Care Village in Byron Bay are heralding in a new era with new management and an upgrade in the pipeline.

The site on Marvell St Byron Bay where new signage stating “George’s Cottages” will herald in a new era as St Andrews Ballina take over management of Feros Care Village Byron Bay.

A year of uncertainty has come to an end for staunch residents who fought tooth and nail to remain in their Byron Bay aged care home.

Ten residents – dubbed “the Tenacious 10” by some – stood firm at the premises in recent months, refusing to leave after Feros Care announced in March last year it had to close its doors, declaring the facility no longer met requirements for an aged care home.

At the time, Byron Shire Council Mayor Michael Lyon slammed the treatment of the remaining residents as “disgraceful” and “shameful” after 40 residents were pressured to leave.

Byron Bay Mayor Michael Lyon.

A new era has now begun for the residents of the former Feros Village at Byron Bay with new operators, St Andrew’s Ballina assuming management of the beloved institution on Monday.

St Andrew’s will be negotiating a 40-year lease with Crown Lands, and the Commonwealth Department of Health and Aged Care and Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission have licenced the facility to maintain the existing 40-aged care beds at the Marvell Street facility.

To celebrate, residents have named the new facility “George’s Cottages” – in honour of the legendary George Feros who fundraised extensively to fund the facility, and named each of the existing buildings after iconic Byron Bay beaches – Tallows, Wategos, Lighthouse and Clarkes.

“Feros Village is much-loved in our Shire and to know that it will continue to operate in the existing facility, caring for our seniors, is very comforting to a lot of people, particularly the current residents and their families,” Mr Lyon said.

“The fact St Andrew’s is based in the neighbouring Ballina Shire means there is a wonderful local connection, and I am very heartened that they will operate this fantastic aged care facility, invest in it and continue to provide this much-needed service to our older residents.”

Back row: Dianne Brein, Bernie Dean, Maree Eddings, Kate Smorty. Front row: Sybil Reddan and Michael Brereton at Feros Care in Byron Bay who are adamant to stay where 6 fellow residents that left have since died.

CEO of St Andrew’s Ballina, Todd Yourell said plans were well underway to spend nearly $3 million upgrading the existing cottages and key staff were being recruited.

“We are hoping to commence admissions of new residents to George’s Cottages from Tuesday, February 6,” Mr Yourell said.

He said they were already receiving referrals with the intention to admit three residents each week, including some former residents wishing to return.

Member for Ballina, Tamara Smith MP said the heroes of this story are the residents who never gave up and never stopped believing in themselves.

“It’s been such a privilege to work with the Feros residents, their families and advocates, and the Minister for Lands and Property on a productive solution to this issue. I’m so proud of our community.

“The newly minted St Andrews’ residents have invited me to attend celebrations in early February, and I look forward to attending and delivering my congratulations in person.”