Edith Bendall Retirement Village
SPECIAL PROJECT Edith Bendall Retirement Village
In the Late 1970’s, Lloyd Bendall, a member of the Lions Club of Strathmore, purchased 11 Park Street, Pascoe Vale. The property came with complete with a “Manor House” which had been used as a “Clearing House” for law offenders before their re-entry to everyday life.
Lloyd had very strong thoughts about the establishment of a retirement village for aged people who could, to a degree, care for themselves, with residents having their own room, three meals a day, health care services, security and assistance with laundry and social activities, as his personal experience in trying to find a permanent place for his aged mother to live out the rest of her life had been extremely frustrating. Upon the acquisition of Park Street, he passed it on to the Lions Club of Strathmore to develop it into a community asset.
The two-story house, with the then Broadmeadows City Council, had the ground floor converted into a Day Care Centre while the first floor was converted to be the Lions Club home for meetings and activities, etc.
In the Late 1970’s the recently charted rotary Club of Pascoe Vale was considering how it could service a community undertaking in Pascoe Vale. A site came to their attention but after much consideration, it was agreed a larger site was required. While still considering a project, word filtered around that the Lions Club of Strathmore had developed at 11 Park Street, and discussions between the two clubs then developed.
While the objects of the respective clubs in community development differed, agreement was reached and a unified approach prevailed. Retirement units were the first development of the site. The overarching development of the site was to be a 36-bed hostel.
A legally constituted company “Edith Bendall Retirement Village” was established with members of both clubs now joined together in one organisation.
Two blocks of retirement units were established through Government grants and community activity. The 14 units opened to the public in 1985 with full occupancy achieved within a few months. The pursuit of a 36-bed hostel now became a reality.
The “Grand Old House” was demolished within 30 days of the sale date of 4 November 1989, and a clear site made available to “Edith Bendall Retirement Village Hostel”.
In September 1981, the Company embarked on a public fundraising campaign, aided by Government Subsidy, for a target raising of $500,000 and led by Mr Noel O’Brien – Chairman of O’Brien Catering Pty Ltd and a Director of the Spotless Group Pty Ltd with an appeal banquet held on 2 November 1989.
Development got underway with the Prime Minister of Australia – Bob Hawke and his wife Hazel, to turn the first sod for the hostel followed by their inspection of the retirement units and meeting with the occupants in June 1990.
The rest is now history with the construction of the 36-Unit Hostel, the subsequent extension to 46 Units and with a property acquisition and some available land to the now 60 Units.
Reference: 2022-2023 Changeover Bulletin