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History of Sunnyside House
This brief description of the Sunnyside story is not a story of land and buildings, but of people, for people have made Sunnyside what it is today. Those who saw a need and conceived an idea, those who planned, raised finances, obtained government support and worked firmly in the background. Those who gave produce and material aid, those who entertained the residents, those who have worked in the Sunnyside shop and those generous benefactors who remembered Sunnyside in their wills.
The first guests came into residence at Sunnyside in January 1951, and when the home was officially opened by Hon Gordon McArthur, M.L.C on February 22nd, 1951, there were five elderly people in residence. However, the story of Sunnyside really began much earlier, for it was in 1945 that the ladies of the CWA branch in Camperdown first saw the need for a pleasant, friendly home where senior citizens of the town and district could spend their old age in comfort and security.
From the outset, the objective was always "to provide a comfortable and pleasant home - not an institution - for old people who are still capable of looking after themselves to a certain degree, if given proper conditions". This objective was placed before a public meeting of interested citizens held on November 11th, 1949. This meeting was the impetus for what Sunnyside House is now. Several meetings were held in those formative years, various groups, organisations and individuals gave financial and practical support to the proposal, so that by the middle of 1949 sufficient funds were in hand to enable a property at 5 Adeney St to be purchased.
Extensive renovations were carried out to the original building that had earlier served as both a private hospital and a private residence, and housed 7 ladies, it was again extended in 1975 to increase availability to 10 single rooms. In 1959, the Ethel Podger Memorial Wing was erected to house 5 men, and another 2 rooms were added in 1975.
Over the years, additional land was purchased as it became available so that the whole of the triangular block bounded by Adeney St, Wright Street and Morris St became the property of Sunnyside
The type of accommodation available diversified in 1975, with the purchase of land at 1 Adeney St and the construction of single person units and married couple accommodation, with funds raised by the CWA to supplement government grants. At completion of the units, Sunnyside was offering accommodation to 28 people, 17 in the hostel where full board and residence was available, and 11 in flats.
In the 1990's it was recognised that there was a growing need to provide more accommodation for the elders of the community, and the concept of a new 40 bed hostel was developed by the Board of Directors. It was expected to cost in the vicinity of $2.4m. Through careful budgeting, community support, gifts from individuals and philanthropic trusts, the Board of Mangement had $1.7m in reserve.
An appeal committee was created and a passionate fundraising drive with the goal to raise the remaining money began. This became one of the most significant health and aged care related projects undertaken by the community at that time.
In 2001 the incredible new Sunnyside building was completed and then formally opened in 2002 by David Hawker MP.







