Cooinda Benalla Aged Care

22/05/2026

This week, we farewell Board member Norma Hodgson after four years of dedicated service.

During her time with Cooinda, Norma has played a vital role as a member of the Board Executive, Treasurer and Chair of the Finance Committee. Her expertise, professionalism and commitment have contributed significantly to the strength and direction of our organisation.

Norma, we sincerely thank you for the time, knowledge and passion you have given to Cooinda. Your impact has been meaningful and lasting, and you leave with our deepest appreciation and best wishes for the future.

21/05/2026

✨ A Special Musical Moment at Cooinda! ✨

Last week, we were incredibly lucky to welcome a very special guest to our Happy Hour! John, a resident from St John’s Retirement Village in Wangaratta, joined our much loved entertainer Paris for a wonderful performance that truly delighted everyone.

John has an incredible musical background, having performed as a singer in Liverpool for many years before moving to Australia in 1970. During his time in the UK, he was often introduced as “The Golden Voice of Liverpool”, and it’s easy to see why! He even had the honour of supporting the legendary Dusty Springfield.

This week, John’s visit to Cooinda was proudly featured in the Wangaratta Chronicle, celebrating his remarkable talent and the joy he brought to our residents.

It was a truly special afternoon, filled with music, memories and smiles. Our residents thoroughly enjoyed hearing John perform alongside Paris and are already looking forward to his next visit!

Thank you, Paris and John, for sharing your beautiful voices and John's story with us, we can’t wait to have you back!

21/05/2026

🌟 National Volunteer Week at Cooinda 🌟

This week we celebrate National Volunteer Week and recognise the incredible contribution of our volunteers.

On Tuesday, we gathered for a special afternoon tea with our volunteers, Cooinda Achievers and Board members. Each person received a certificate of congratulations, with volunteers and achievers presented by Cooinda President Liz Lloyd, and Board members by CEO Denise Hooper.

At Cooinda, our volunteers play a vital role in creating a welcoming and supportive environment. Through their time and dedication, they enrich the lives of our residents and help strengthen their connections within our community.

To all our volunteers, achievers and Board members, thank you for everything you do 💙

19/05/2026

✨ Diana Chomley Scholarship 2026 – Round 1 Recipients ✨

We’re excited to share the outcomes of Round 1 of the Diana Chomley Scholarship for 2026!

Congratulations to our successful recipients:
✨ Karli Cox
✨ Sarah Anderson (absent from photo)
✨ Danielle McLeod
✨ Edna Kelly
✨ Cara Delaney

These staff members represent a wonderful mix of roles across our organisation, all united by a passion for providing high-quality care and support.

Through the scholarship, they will be undertaking further study in important areas such as palliative care, clinical care, older persons’ mental health, and Certificate III in Individual Support. Their learning will directly enhance the care and services we provide to our residents, community participants, and families.

This scholarship continues to honour Diana Chomley’s legacy by supporting professional growth and strengthening our commitment to person-centred care.

Please join us in congratulating our recipients and we look forward to seeing the positive impact of their learning in the months ahead!

19/05/2026

Respite Care at Home – Support When You Need It Most

Caring for a loved one is incredibly rewarding, but everyone deserves a break.

With Respite Care at Home, carers can take time to rest and recharge while knowing their loved one is safe, comfortable, and supported in their own home.

At Cooinda we offer Respite Care at Home for:

✅ Support at Home participants

✅ Fee-for-service (private) clients

✅ No Support at Home package? No problem.
You can still access our respite services by paying privately, no government package required.

Our personalised, flexible care provides peace of mind for families and support carers to look after their own wellbeing too.
Whether you need a few hours or ongoing respite, Cooinda is here to help, you don’t have to do it alone. 💚

📞 Contact Cooinda Community Care Services today on (03) 5761 3383, to learn more about our Respite Care at Home options.

12/05/2026

💙 International Nurses Day 💙

Today at Cooinda we celebrated International Nurses Day with a staff barbecue, recognising the incredible work nurses do across all industries.

Thank you to our dedicated nursing staff for the care, compassion and support you provide each and every day. We are grateful for everything you do for our residents, community participants, families and community.

10/05/2026

Happy Mother’s Day to all the wonderful mums, grandmothers, carers and mother figures in our Cooinda community.

Today we celebrate the love, care, strength and kindness you share every day. Wishing you all a beautiful day filled with happiness, special memories and time with loved ones. ❤️

29/04/2026

https://www.benallaensign.com.au/news/cooinda-welcomes-new-ceo-denise-hooper/

Cooinda has welcomed a new chief executive officer, who took over the position on April 13, marking an important new chapter for the organisation.

29/04/2026

🌟 Welcome Our New CEO – Denise Hooper 🌟

We’re delighted to officially welcome Denise Hooper as Cooinda’s new Chief Executive Officer, who commenced with us on 13 April.
Denise brings more than 13 years of senior leadership experience in aged care and joins us with a strong background in governance, risk management, and quality care. She is also a Registered Nurse, giving her a deep understanding of clinical practice and the importance of person‑centred care.

Denise is passionate about supporting our residents and their families, and about working closely with our dedicated staff to ensure Cooinda continues to be a safe, respectful and caring community. Her values driven leadership and commitment to high standards make her a wonderful addition to our organisation.

Please join us in giving Denise a very warm welcome to Cooinda.

26/04/2026

Putting Dignity First in Home Care : A Positive Step Forward for Older Australians

When Australia’s Support at Home program launched in November 2025, it introduced co payments for essential personal care services – things like showering, dressing and continence support. For many older people, these everyday supports quickly became a significant out of pocket cost.

Across the aged care sector, older Australians, families, advocates, and providers have been raising their voices, sharing real stories about what it means to age well at home and what genuine dignity in care looks like.

This week, those conversations have led to meaningful change.
Aged Care Minister Sam Rae has confirmed that co payments for personal care will be removed from October 2026, describing showering and dressing as “the basics of ageing with dignity”.

For us at Cooinda, this is an encouraging step — and a reminder that reform works best when it listens to the people it affects.
Every day, our team shows up with a commitment to person centred care. We know that dignity isn’t an add on; it’s the foundation of how we support older people to live well, safely and with confidence.

This change reflects what we see in our community, that essential care should never be out of reach.

If you would like to discuss the coming changes or having support in your home please contact us on (03) 5761 3383.

Cooinda Community Care Servces Team