Where It All Began

Hector Neil McLean, a man of proud Scottish heritage after whom the organisation is named, was born at Ellerston in the Hunter Valley, NSW on 5th December 1856. He lived most of his life in Inverell, and was regarded as a very community-minded citizen. He served on Council, and was committed to a dream of establishing a Convalescent Hospital.

Hector Neil McLean

29th March 1932

Upon his death, on 29th March 1932, a provision of Mr McLean’s Will designated that a hospital be established on his property ‘Killean’, the present site of the McLean Care Inverell residential facilities. A condition of Mr McLean’s Will directed that the financial estate be invested for a period of ten years. This expired in the midst of World War II, which delayed the construction of the convalescent hospital until 1951, due to the difficulty of acquiring building materials.


The Founding Stone

17th November 1951

The founding stone was laid on 17th November 1951, with work on the main building starting soon after.


Building Completed

Mid 1953

The main McLean Care building was finished in 1953.


Retirement Village complex established.

1970

The complex is established as a retirement village, with the opening of a 44-bed Nursing Home and 6 Self-Care Units, and conversion of the Convalescent Hospital to a 24-bed Hostel.

Self-Care Units are constructed

1982

Six additional self-care units are constructed.


1984

More Additions

A further 6-bed extension added to the Inverell nursing home.

1989


Beresford Coward & Chisholm Wing

The 50-bed Beresford Coward Hostel, Chisholm Wing (50 nursing home beds), the Lavinia McFadyen Activities Lounge, and a service area in the Nursing Home completed.

1994

Arrawatta Lodge

Arrawatta Lodge, a 13-place dementia-specific hostel is completed and opened, and an additional two double self-care units completed.

2001

Community Care Services

McLean Care expands into the provision of community care services.

2002

Killean Units

A further two units are completed.

Goodwood Villas

2005

11 new “Goodwood” Independent Living Villa Units opened on the Inverell residential care site.


2007

Additional Goodwood Villas

Final development of the Goodwood” stage 3 development is completed, adding nine more new villas.

2007

Hector Wing

The 14-bed Hector Wing is opened and Chisholm Wing redeveloped.

2009

Home and Community Care Tamworth

Purchase of a Tamworth private nursing service finalised. Health Care at Home.

2010

HN McLean Retirement Village becomes known as McLean Care Ltd.

2014


Commonweath Home Support package extensively upgraded

This meant that older Australians worked with McLean Care to design their Home Care Packages.

2015


Bush Compass

McLean Care receives Northern Inland Innovation Award Nov 24, 2015 – Mclean Care was awarded with a Northern Inland Innovation Award for health, aged care and disabilities for their Bush Compass

2016


Hector Wing and Argyll Centre extensively refurbished

Hector Wing extensively refurbished into a 17-bed state-of-the-art dementia specific facility and the upgrade of Argyll Centre residential rooms, reception and dining areas.

New custodians of CWA House, Oakey

2017

New custodians of CWA House, Oakey in the Darling Downs region. 40 beds, including secure Dementia care facilities, plus Independent Living Villas and home and community care services.


VR Driving Simulator

2017

Seed funding by the Australian Government through the Dementia and Aged Care Services Fund to develop a VR Driving Simulator for Older Drivers.

New custodians of Kolora, Guyra

2018

New custodians of Kolora Residential Care in Guyra. Kolora is a 32-bed aged care facility located amongst picturesque waterways and national parks.


Smart Home Technology Grant

2019

McLean Care was awarded funding from an Innovation grant from the Department of Health to undertake a trial of smart home technology with Commonwealth Home Support Program recipients along with Deakin University and Monash University.

New custodians of Yallambee, Millmerran

2020

New custodians of Yallambee Residential Care in Millmerran QLD in March 2020. Yallambee is a 60-bed residential aged care facility situated in the rich agricultural area of the Condamine and Macintyre catchments.


New custodians of Mackellar, Gunnedah

2020

New custodians of Mackellar Residential Care Gunnedah in July 2020. Located in the agricultural region of Gunnedah NSW. McLean Care Mackellar Residential Care comprises of two facilities known as Alkira and Apex Road along with Independent Living Villas known as Mackellar Village.

CHSP CALD Centre Based Respite Services

2021

Commonwealth Department of Health Grant Round to provide Centre Based Respite Services for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) communities in the Far North Coast and Dubbo regions of NSW and Logan River Valley in QLD.


CHSP Growth Round to provide Nursing

2021

Allied Health and Therapy Services; Cottage Respite; Flexible Respite; Centre-based Respite; Home Maintenance; and Other Food Services across specified Aged Care Planning Regions in NSW; QLD; NT; WA; SA; VIC; and Tasmania.


ACAR Round: Short Term Restorative Care Places

2021

Allocated 38 placements -Far North Coast: 5; Hunter: 10; New England: 8; Darling Downs: 10; and Logan River Valley: 5.