A major upgrade to the Aboriginal Community Elders Service (ACES) in Merri-bek is providing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders with high-quality aged care services closer to home. Supported by a $6 million grant from the Metropolitan Health Infrastructure Fund (MHIF), the refurbishment includes new counselling and consultation rooms, an upgraded kitchen, and expanded workspaces.
Ingrid Stitt, Minister for Ageing, said, “This funding has delivered significant improvements to better support the needs of Elders in Melbourne’s inner north – letting them stay closer to home while access the high-quality, culturally safe aged care they need.”
Member for Northern Metropolitan Region Sheena Watt emphasised the importance of local accessibility, stating, “The newly refurbished ACES is going to ensure Elders in our local area can maintain access to high-quality, culturally safe aged care within the community they know and love.”
ACES, a not-for-profit Aboriginal community-controlled health organisation, was established by the Koorie community in 1991. It delivers holistic care—from medical and allied health services to lifestyle programs—designed to keep Elders connected to their culture. The revamped facility now offers single rooms with ensuites and communal areas that promote social interaction.
Minister for Health Infrastructure Melissa Horne highlighted the broader impact of these upgrades: “These upgrades are about more than just bricks and mortar—they are about supporting our Elders to live with dignity, in a place where they feel safe, valued, and connected to culture.”
Since 2016, the Labor Government has invested over $698 million in public sector aged care.
Read also: Voices of older Aboriginal people central to new aged care report
