Originally from the Riverina, Mrs Colgan has spent 14 years working in aged cared services in south-east Victoria.

Starting out as a carer, she eventually became a manager and studied nursing, caring for patients across low-needs, high-needs, dementia and aged patients with an acquired brain injury.

While only in the role for three weeks, she said it was clear why the Junee community supported the facility and Cooinda Court’s unique management.

“Here there’s a connection to town, to family, being able to age in the town that you were born and bred in,” she said.

“Other facilities I’ve worked in are government funded or private, but this is the only one which is run by a community-based volunteer board,” Mrs Colgan said.

Management committee chairperson Patricia Butler said the committee welcomed Mrs Colgan.

“It took a long time to find the right person for the job.”