The faces of Victoria’s coronavirus nursing home death toll
From an admired father who “loved to have a laugh” to a beloved mum who “celebrated the simple things” and a great grandfather who would light up with his grandkids, the victims of Victoria’s aged care crisis should never be forgotten.
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From an admired father who “loved to joke and have a laugh” to beloved mum who “celebrated the simple things” and a great grandfather who would light up with his grandkids, the victims of Victoria’s aged care crisis should never be forgotten.
DIMITRIOS ROUSSOS, 96
Dimitrios Roussos, born in Greece before moving to Broadmeadows, was a resident at St Basil’s aged care home.
“He was big on family, that was his pride,” his grandson, Perry Tseros said.
“When us grandkids or his great grandkids would walk into the room, he would light up. It kills me to think how he felt, not being able to see any of us (before he died).
“He will never be forgotten — all the time we spent together, all the stories he told me, are all in my mind and in my heart.”
THELMA HYATT, 89
Ms Hyatt was a resident at the Epping Gardens aged care home.
Her death was widely reported after her son. Tom Hyatt, spoke out about the treatment he and his mother received.
Mr Hyatt said he couldn’t believe the blunt way the news of his mother’s death was delivered.
“She was in her body bag laying on her bed for more than 26 hours. I don’t know how it happened, it’s absolutely blown me away.”
He said he was staggered by the tone the staff member had taken in handling the matter.
“You could show a bit of heart you know? But it was this whole sour thing.
MARIJA RUKAVINA, 86
Ivan Rukavina stood outside St Basil’s nursing home in Fawkner, asking questions that no one seemed able to answer. He was one of many.
His mother Marija tested positive to COVID-19 three days before her family found out. Then, no one would answer the phone at the aged care facility day after day after day.
Mr Rukavina couldn’t find his 86-year-old mum. He didn’t know how she was or where she was.
“It could have been handled s---loads better,” he said. “It should not have happened.”
Mr Rukavina’s woe took a turn when he received the worst of news. His mother had died.
FOTINI ATZARAKIS, 77
COVID-19 victim Fotini Atzarakis, 77, caught the contagious virus at St Basil’s aged care facility and sadly succumbed to it at the Austin Hospital after a 10-day battle.
Mrs Atzarakis was loved and adored by her three children Kathy, John and Manuel as well as her eight grandchildren.
“That was her legacy in life, it was all about family – everybody loved her,” Mrs Bourinaris said of her mum.
“She loved life. She just wanted to celebrate the simple things.
“She was a beautiful person, she was a lovely, kind person. I may be a little bit biased but I loved her to pieces. She was loved by all.”
CARMELA AGNELLO, 92
Great-grandmother Carmela Agnello died at the Northern Hospital.
The 92-year-old “family woman” was strong of mind up until she contracted coronavirus at the Epping Gardens aged care facility.
Ms Agnello lived for her two children, five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
DIMITRIOS FOTIADIS, 79
Effie Fotiadis’ father Dimitrios was taken to Northern Hospital from St Basil’s Home for the Aged more than a week after the 79-year-old tested positive for the coronavirus.
He died after also contracting an infection.
“I didn’t know what to do when I got the call. I’m devastated,” Ms Fotiadis said.
Despite suffering from heart disease, Mr Fotiadis was in relatively good health before he contracted COVID-19.
The father of three lived in Whittlesea before moving into the Fawkner aged care home. He was described by his family as someone who “loved to joke and have a laugh”.
Ms Fotiadis said she was told her father had tested positive for the virus in St Basil’s about two weeks ago. She struggled to get information about her father’s condition.
“I kept trying to ring them to see what was going on but they kept hanging up on me,” she said. “Someone would answer the phone … then hang up.”
MARIA VASILAKIS, 81
Maria, a mother of two and grandmother of five, died of the coronavirus less than a week after being diagnosed at one of the city’s most infected aged care homes. She died on Thursday after contracting COVID-19 at St Basil’s Homes for Aged in Fawkner.
Her devastated family criticised St Basil’s staff for failing to protect vulnerable residents. Footage taken by Ms Vasilakis’ family showed a staff member without protective clothing handing flowers to the grandmother as she celebrated her birthday a week before she was diagnosed.
PAUL BARBOUSSAS, 79
St Basil’s resident Paul Barboussas, 79, died at the Northern Hospital on Sunday.
He was admitted to hospital on Friday night as a precaution after having a fall at his home at St Basil’s Homes for the Aged.
Mr Barboussas’ son Nicholas Barboussas said his father Paul would be remembered as a hardworking man who emigrated from Greece in the 1950s and loved raising his family in Melbourne and supporting Collingwood in the footy.
“He was a vibrant person, he loved a good laugh, he had a huge work ethic. He loved his footy and loved his soccer, and loved his family.”
Mr Barboussas said those not taking the Melbourne lockdown seriously needed to realise there were multiple families now preparing to bury their loved ones.
“If you don’t care about yourself and you think you’re invincible, think about your parents, your grandparents, the old lady in front of you at the supermarket checkout. People need to do the right thing.”
ALF JORDAN, 90
Alf died in hospital on July 10 after falling ill at a Glendale Aged Care in Werribee. He’s been honoured as “one of a kind”, his heartbroken family telling how they never got to say goodbye.
Mr Jordan worked as a milk carter in Richmond with trusty horse Trigger for years and was a passionate Collingwood fan, eagerly asking anyone he met who they barracked for.
The father and stepfather to 12 children — and grandfather and great-grandfather to more than four dozen — turned 90 in May. “He was one of a kind,” granddaughter Gabrielle Cordwell said. “He would cuddle you and it would just be so tight.”
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LIFE AND DEATH CLASH AT VIRUS-PLAGUED AGED CARE HOME