Claremont Home and South Port Community Nursing Home have been part of the fabric of the City of Port Phillip for decades.
Claremont Home at 286 Albert Road, South Melbourne commenced operation in 1956 when it was established following donations from members of the local community and the South Melbourne Community Chest. It was established to ensure local people could spend their later years, when care may be needed, in familiar surroundings.
Over the years the Albert Road site was developed to a 56 bed aging-in-place facility with a well regarded reputation within the local community.
South Port Community Home at 18-30 Richardson Street, Albert Park was established in 1981 by the South and Port Melbourne councils and the St Kilda Council, with significant community donations and support. It too was established to meet the needs of the local community and today remains a 30 bed high care facility in the Albert Park/South Melbourne area.
In 2010 the organisations agreed to a merger to ensure their ongoing viability thereby ensuring they would be able to continue to meet the needs of the elderly in the local area.
Claremont & South Port Aged Care (CaSPA Care) then submitted an application with the Victorian Health Department for a Land Bank site on land bounded by Napier, Church and Raglan Streets in South Melbourne – the rear section of the former St Vincent’s Boys’ Home.
The application was successful and the merged entity CaSPA Care signed a lease over the land with the Victorian Department of Health in October 2011. The bid detailed the use of the land to be for Residential Aged Care.
CaSPA Care’s application was supported by the City of Port Phillip who has recognised the great need for residential aged care services within the city area.
In July 2015 CaSPA Care opened their new home, Emerald Hill Residence, which was constructed on the leased site. All residents residing at Claremont Home then moved to Emerald Hill Residence.
The South Port Residence has also undergone refurbishment to create a warm and comfortable environment for all residents.
CaSPA Care is controlled by a Board of Directors who are all local residents recruited for their specific expertise either in business management or aged care. They are all volunteers who give generously of their time.
