On January 29, 1990 the first resident entered the then 20-bed nursing and 20-bed hostel aged care facility.

Since then it has expanded to a 63-bed home which includes a 10-bed dementia ward.

In presiding over the official function on Thursday afternoon, chairman Ray Neilson said 25 years is a very significant achievement and thanked everyone who has given support.

“I also pay tribute to our wonderful staff who have worked hard to support the residents and their families,” he said.

“Some have only been with us for a short time and others for a number of years.

“In this day and age where people change their career paths on an average every six years, we are privileged to have such a large number of staff who have spent many years working with us.

“Today we especially recognise the 13 staff who have been with us for 10 years, three for 15 years, two for 20 years and three for 25 years.”

Cr Johnston said Lara is a success story that had its seed planted back in 1978 when Anne McDonald wrote to council asking them to look into the need for a facility for the aged.

“This developed into a committee that included Anne McDonald, Ray Neilson and Doug Shelton which later developed into a group that had Ray as president, Anne McDonald as secretary and the late Reg Howard as treasurer,” he said.

“Right here from the beginning and up to this very moment we can see the dedication that Ray and Anne have had, and still have, to their community.

“There are many others that deserve our admiration and gratitude, not least our very recent recipient of the shire’s Citizen Award for 2015 John Copus, who for many years was honourary treasurer of Lara, but includes all those volunteers in a myriad of roles that makes Lara a genuine community organisation.”

Federal Member for Paterson handed out long service awards to, congratulating them on their outstanding efforts.

“This is an outstanding team here that puts in an outstanding effort,” he said.

“Lara is a high quality home for people to spend their last years. 

“You have made their home in this home.

“Thank you for what you have done for the community.”

A morning tea for the residents was held on Thursday morning while volunteers enjoyed a cuppa on Friday morning.