Aged care worker carjacked at knifepoint outside Cherbourg Elders village, three teens charged

An aged care worker has been violently attacked outside a Qld aged care home where staff are reportedly shaken by a series of dangerous encounters.

An aged care worker has been violently attacked at knifepoint outside an South Burnett aged care home in an early morning ambush over the weekend. Picture: Olena Sakhatska/iStock

Three teenagers have been charged after an aged care worker was violently attacked at knifepoint outside a South Burnett aged care home in an early morning ambush.

This is reportedly the third in a series incidents at the facility police are investigating.

Police confirmed there have been two other incidents reported at the Elders Village over the last six months that are being investigated.

Reportedly, on November 16 last year, unknown offenders entered the back garden of the property and damaged a roller door of a garden shed, however nothing was stolen.

Police are also investigating an incident of willful damage, where the rear window of a car was struck by a golf ball on May 5 this year.

According to police, around 6.30am on June 1, a 26-year-old man entered the driveway into the aged care home on Fisher Street.

The man, who is believed to be a staff member, noticed a vehicle pull up behind him.

Police allege a male teenager then got out of the car, walked up to the staff member’s vehicle and threatened him with a knife to get out, before grabbing him by the neck and continuing to threaten him.

After the man got out of his car, a silver 2007 Toyota Camry, the teenager got in and drove off, quickly followed by the other vehicle at the scene.

The car was later found by police “extensively damaged by fire” at an address on Old Wondai Road.

Three teenagers have been charged in relation to the incident.

A post on the Murgon and Wondai Public Information Facebook group claimed this event was part of a pattern of “serious occurrences” at the facility, which had prompted concerns about staff safety.

The poster claimed staff were unhappy with the response from management, and there had been growing demand for the facility to be shut down or relocated.

“Management’s response has been deemed inadequate, leading to calls for improved working conditions and accountability,” the post read.

The Ny-Ku Byun Elders Village in Cherbourg is operated by Blue Care, and the services are delivered by Pinangba, an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-led service provider. Photo: Google Maps

“There are growing demands for the facility to be shut down or relocated.

“Management need to be held responsible.

“The community supports the staff members and their families and friends who have come forward anonymously.

“The community is urging action, including... government intervention.”

The facility is operated by Blue Care, and the services are delivered by Pinangba, an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-led service provider.

A BlueCare spokeswoman said the safety of residents and staff was its number one priority.

The spokeswoman said they were putting additional security measures in place at the Ny-Ku Byun Elders Village, and security hours have been increased to 24/7 on weekends.

A full workplace health and safety investigation and review of staff entry procedures is also reportedly underway.

“We are currently installing an additional fence at the facility to support a better safer transition in and out of the facility, in addition to the CCTV and security lighting installed earlier this year,” the spokeswoman said.

She said BlueCare had also begun conversations with the local council around prioritising the installation of exterior street lighting in and around the site.

BlueCare has extended support to the affected worker and staff of Elders Village and are working closely with them on the additional safety measures underway.

“We are doing everything in our control to keep our residents and staff safe,” she said.Investigations are ongoing and anyone with relevant information has been asked to contact police.

Originally published as Aged care worker carjacked at knifepoint outside Cherbourg Elders village, three teens charged