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Tucked away in a picturesque location overlooking the Tamar River in Launceston, a boutique aged care home is making a big impression, not just in Tasmania, but across the country.
Cadorna House is rated a top facility in Tasmania and second nationally for food and meals, with a near-perfect score of 3.92 out of 4 in the independent Residents’ Experience Survey.
73-year-old resident Robert “Bob” Oswald chose Cadorna House after hearing glowing recommendations from other residents and their families.
“I think the rapport between staff and residents makes it the best,” says Bob, who has lived in the home for over 18 months.
“I get eggs, bacon and sausages every day for breakfast which I really love.”
Privately owned and operated for more than 30 years by husband wife duo Leeanne and Rob Reeves, Cadorna House has just 33 beds but will soon expand by 3-4 beds to accommodate a growing waitlist.
From winery tours and flower farm visits to Bunnings workshops and theatre nights, residents at Cadorna House enjoy rich, connected lives shaped by their own interests and choices.
The outstanding care delivered at Cadorna House has earned it a place as one of just 52 finalists, selected from over 500 nominations, in the Excellence in Aged Care (Organisation) category of this year’s national Ageing Australia You Are ACE! Awards.
Tom Symondson, CEO of Ageing Australia, says the volume of nominations this year makes Cadorna House’s achievement a shining example of the hard work providers across the country are doing.
“To be selected from more than 500 nominations is an extraordinary achievement for any aged care provider but especially for a small, independent home like Cadorna House,” he says.
“With the oldest population in the country, Tasmania needs a diverse and high-quality aged care sector. Cadorna House’s recognition shows just how important smaller providers are in delivering exceptional outcomes for older people in their local communities.”
Facility Manager Jasmyne Berne, who joined in early 2023, admits she was hesitant at first to move from large-scale providers into a small home. But it didn’t take long to see the difference.
“The care here is exactly what aged care should be,” she says. “Because we’re small, we know every resident deeply. They know us. There’s trust, warmth and real connection.”
For Annette Doran, 73, a former employee turned resident, the decision to move into Cadorna House last November felt like coming home.
“I used to work here in the kitchen, and I stayed close with the owners,” she says. “I knew I’d be well cared for. Everyone gets along so well, and the staff are just lovely. It’s a happy place to be.”
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