Family mourns ex-police officer who died after Wangaratta aged care home flu outbreak

AN elderly ex-cop who was one of seven to die from an influenza outbreak at a Wangaratta aged care home was a “big strong man” who withered quickly.

John Walker died of influenza at St John’s Retirement Village. Picture: Simon Dallinger

AN elderly ex-cop who was one of seven to die from an influenza outbreak at a Wangaratta aged care home was a “big strong man” who withered quickly.

John Walker, 88, was claimed by the deadly virus at St John’s Retirement Village on August 30.

His widow, Lorraine Walker, 86, said her husband became ill with pneumonia about a week before his death.

FAMILY MOURNS LOSS OF ‘CHEEKY’ MUM

AGED CARE FLU SHOTS ‘NOT COMPULSORY’

John Walker died of influenza at St John’s Retirement Village. Picture: Simon Dallinger

“He didn't get out of bed after that,” she said.

The pair had four children and eight grandchildren and had just celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary.

“The whole 65 years were just magic,” Mrs Walker said.

She moved her husband to the nursing home five months ago but visited him every morning. He served as a Victoria Police officer for 30 years and spent time in the army and navy.

“He made me laugh a lot,” she said.

Molly Curtis, 96 was another claimed by the deadly Wangaratta outbreak.

An eighth victim is tonight still clinging on to life.

The tragic deaths are under investigation and have sparked the federal government to introduce mandatory flu vaccinations for aged care workers.

St Johns Village in Wangaratta, with a sign warning people about the influenza outbreak. Picture: Simon Dallinger

The Herald Sun revealed 18 residents had been infected with the virus before the Victorian Health Department was notified.

Ms Curtis’ daughter said they were “kept in the dark” and felt the facility should have warned them sooner about her mother’s ­declining health. “One week she was OK and the next we were saying goodbye,” daughter Thelma O’Keefe said.

Federal Shadow Minister for Ageing Julie Collins said aged care budget cuts impact nursing care deaths. “It can mean less care hours and less nurses with the skills to avoid and manage outbreaks,” she said.

The Herald Sun can reveal a Ballarat aged care home was also hit by the deadly flu strain.

Wyn Clark, 92, and one other died after the virus took hold of Talbot Place Aged Care Facility in July.

A relative, who did not want to be named, said Ms Clark died within days of becoming sick.

“Her heart and lungs were not in the greatest condition but influenza definitely took her prematurely and she did suffer,” she said.

A Department of Health and Human Services spokesman said the Ballarat outbreak affected 18 residents and six staff.

The department was notified on 12 July and the facility was declared safe 16 days later.

[e-mail]

@AneekaSimonis