Executive General Manager Kuda Sozinyu flanked by residents Jo Salvestro (90) and Judy Lorback (88). Photo: Oliver Jacques.
Griffith aged care facility Pioneers Lodge is planning an expansion that will see it build assisted living apartments and independent living villas alongside its existing nursing homes.
The idea is to provide the three stages of accommodation for the elderly, all in the one location.
“What we are doing is creating a village,” general manager Kuda Sozinyu said.
“An elderly person living at home might find living harder, they can sell their home and buy a villa here, then move into an assisted living apartment when they need more support and then on to a nursing home.
“It also makes it easier for families to stay together, for example, if a husband is in a nursing home and the wife is still living independently, they can live close to each other and it’s easy for them to meet and interact.”
Sugar Mill cafe chef Alfina Bianchini brings restaurant-quality meals to the lodge. Photo: Oliver Jacques.
Renovations are taking place at Pioneers Lodge to refurbish the main kitchen and four food service areas, build a new central reception and modernise the laundry and internal areas.
They are also constructing another three rooms and will then build another 10 rooms for assisted living, expanding the capacity from 98 residents to 111. This is expected to be completed by the end of 2026.
“After that, we plan to build 22 two-bedroom units for independent living in the vacant land in front of us,” Mr Sozinyu said.
News of the expansion comes as Pioneers Lodge was named a regional finalist in the Outstanding Community Organisation category at the Riverina Murray Business Awards 2025.
“It’s a big thing to be recognised in this way; there was a lot of competition. We are more than just an aged care home; we were created and driven by the community itself,” Mr Sozinyu said.
“The community fundraised for this facility and it’s run by Griffith people through a board of directors. It’s serving this town while there’s a huge shortage of aged care across the country. We are also expanding using our own money, not through government grants.”
The renovations have brought a new reception area. Photo: Oliver Jacques.
Pioneers Lodge was established in 1978, originally with just 20 beds and a small team of carers and volunteers. It was located on the grounds of Griffith Base Hospital before moving to its location on Sidlow Road, next to Griffith Retirement Estate, which has assisted living apartments (ALAs) and independent living villas. In ALAs, residents mostly live independently but have meals cooked for them, rooms cleaned and can participate in group activities.
Mr Sozinyu is a former car salesman from Zimbabwe who changed careers to become a registered nurse in 2008. He moved to Griffith from the Central Coast to take the top job at the lodge in 2022.
“I was really attracted to this organisation and how community-driven it is. I’m happy to have the chance to lead the expansion to use the extra land we have,” he said.
Residents who spoke to Region expressed satisfaction with their home.
“I wouldn’t be living here if it wasn’t a great place to live,” 88-year-old Judy Lorback said.
The oldest resident at Pioneers Lodge is 103-year-old Joan Robinson.
