Five of the nursing home’s six former Directors of Nursing (DONs) returned to cut the birthday cake with current DON Claudia Noriega and resident Don Woods, who has lived at Mudgee Nursing Home since soon after its opening.

When Mudgee Nursing Home opened on October 23, 1983, Pioneer House was full and locals in need of aged care had to move to facilities in the Blue Mountains.

Jan Wood, Mudgee Nursing Home’s first Director of Nursing, recalled that the second resident to move in was a Mr Downey from Hargraves, who thought he would never again see the hills of the Mudgee region when he was relocated to the mountains.

Mrs Wood recalled sitting Mr Downey by the window on his first day in the newly opened nursing home, and seeing him cry because he could see the hills of his homeland again.

She said the nursing home had been characterised by its homely feeling, and the way residents were made to feel welcome and happy. She credited this largely to the cheeriness of the staff, some of whom are still working at Mudgee Nursing Home today.

Current DON Claudia Noriega said recognition was also due to the nursing home’s auxiliary, which she described as the best she had encountered in her career.

Recently, Mudgee Nursing Home has left Moran ownership to become part of the Domain Principal Group. The facility is seeing a lot of improvements, with new furniture, decorations and curtains to make the nursing home more comfortable for residents and staff.

“I just want Mudgee to keep an eye on us, because there are going to be a few changes,” Mrs Noriega said.