Eric Tolliday Units

Eric Tolliday Units to reopen

Bellarine Community Health (BCH) and retirement village provider Sirovilla have announced a new partnership to reopen the Eric Tolliday Units (ETUs) located on the BCH site in Point Lonsdale. Sirovilla is an established and trusted provider with retirement villages in both Geelong and Anglesea. The organisation plans to renovate and reopen the vacant Eric Tolliday Units as affordable housing for independent low-income seniors.

Read the media release here.

The 16-unit village at Point Lonsdale will be called the Sirovilla Eric Tolliday Units in honour of Mr Eric Tolliday (deceased) who gave over 30 years of service to the local community as Treasurer of the Queenscliff and District Memorial Hospital Society and the Queenscliff and District Community Health Centre.

Queries in relation to eligibility or to register interest for the Sirovilla Eric Tolliday Units must be directed to Sirovilla on 03 5241 1517 or email [email protected]

Background

The Eric Tolliday Units (ETU’s) were opened in two stages in the early 1980’s. Funding for the first eight self-contained units came from the Commonwealth Department of Social Security, combined with philanthropic grants and community fundraising. These units were opened in 1982. Further funding was secured, and another eight units were opened in 1984.

As a result of decisions made by previous BCH Board Directors, the 16 one-bedroom units have not been re-let in recent years. Most of the units are now in need of upgrading.

A small number of units were given a minor refresh several years ago and currently two units are occupied. The current residents have a residential agreement with BCH under the Retirement Villages Act (1986).

In 2019, the BCH Board committed to redevelop the units. That commitment was made in good faith and with the understanding that financial modelling was sustainable and funding to complete the project, secured.

In the past two years work has been undertaken to allow BCH to understand the potential costs of any redevelopment of the ETU’s, various models of operation and potential funding sources.