The health service achieved an operating surplus of $337,715 last financial year as demand for its services continued to grow.

Lyndoch board president David Atkinson said federal and state government reform of the aged-care sector meant the organisation had to adapt to changing times.

The former Warrnambool mayor said the progress was being made on Lyndoch’s new waterfront living site, which had been in the planning stages for more than five years.

“There’s a general expectation from government that organisations such as ours have to be more independent and the new retirement complex is part of that,” Mr Atkinson said.

“Lyndoch posted a strong operating surplus this year, there’s no doubt about that, but we’ve also had to prepare for the years ahead to make sure we could achieve those surpluses.

“We couldn’t continue just providing the services we already had. The new complex provides a new revenue stream that means we remain self-reliant and able to stay strong financially.”

Among other developments, the aged-care provider endorsed its first enterprise bargaining agreement, diversified the services it provides and won several state awards.

Mr Atkinson said Lyndoch had ratified a new formal partnership with South West TAFE which would benefit both organisations.

Aged and community care at a certificate three level will now take place on site as part of the arrangement.

“This is a fantastic way to prepare students for aged care and the work involved,” Mr Atkinson said. 

“We’re fortunate to have a great team already but you have to be more and more proactive these days when it comes to recruitment.”