INCOMING and outgoing CEOs of Corumbene met the Derwent Valley Mayor and Deputy Mayor last week to explore their vision for the Derwent Valley Health and Wellbeing Club.

Having recently acquired a $3,785,511 grant through the Building Better Regions fund, Corumbene Care will base a new health and wellbeing hub out of the now dilapidated Willow Court Derwent and Esperence wards, situated near Woolworths in New Norfolk.

Current plans for the hub include a community health centre, cafe, retirement village, childcare, and possible future provedore. Outgoing Corumbene CEO Damien Jacobs and incoming CEO Alison Standen joined Mayor Ben Shaw and Deputy Mayor Jessica Cosgrove last week for a tour of the buildings and interior, outlining their ambitions for the centre.

“It’s such an exciting vision, a number of people have said there have been visions and proposals on these buildings and not everything has happened, but to know that this is a sure thing is fantastic,” Ms Standen said.
“There will be some sensitivities – some in the community would like to see this part of history memorialised, others would like to sweep it under the carpet.”
“We will have to give some thought of sensitive interpretation to the project.”

Mr Shaw was extremely pleased that the buildings, which he said had “been so dark and horrible to look at for so many years,” will see such a beneficial use.

“It was great to tour the buildings and chat to Damien and Alison about the brilliant project,” Mr Shaw said.
“With allied health services, a space for 10 FTE GPs, office spaces and a potential UTAS campus for nurse practitioners, this will be amazing for our region.”
“The best part is it’s now fully funded, development application approved, shovel ready and will be commenced within the next six months.”