Margriet Manor

The Manor has 45 rooms, with individual ensuites, and divided into smaller households of about 15 Elders, with dedicated staff for each group, so that relationships are maintained, known faces are on hand and the staff have an ongoing, experienced eye for how each Elder is travelling, physically, mentally and emotionally. If a registered nurse is required, there is one on site, ready to help.

As well as featuring comfortable chairs, the living areas also have large tables so that Elders can share their meals, and conversation, while all of these things can be pushed back to give performance groups room to move, such as our regular clog dancing troupe. Or, alternatively, sunny courtyards provide a peaceful oasis for Elders wishing to enjoy the weather, to socialise or to find a quiet reading corner while the large lounge rooms offer good coffee, chatty staff and friendship. 

Many of our Elders enjoy their food and we cater to that, with the best and most diverse offering we can provide. Our home-style meals follow the dietary guidelines as set by the Commonwealth Government and are regularly reviewed by a dietitian, along with the home’s manager and the manager of food services. Our rotating menus change every four weeks and are seasonally adjusted so that the Elders never get bored with their options. We also actively involve Elders in menu planning, taking into consideration their likes, dislikes and preferences, and especially by adding culturally specific meals to the mix where we can, to remind Elders of their home country. We can accommodate any special dietary needs. 

We believe that our Elders should be provided with plenty of entertainment options. Our Lifestyle Team organises group activities, sometimes with a Dutch flavour, but also, increasingly, with tastes of other cultures to accommodate the many elders who are not from a Dutch background. National holidays such as Sinterklaas are celebrated in the traditional way and there is a weekly Happy Hour, where the real treat is an ‘advocaatje met slagroom’. Elders may choose to join the ‘Men’s Workshop’ or ‘Ladies’ Craft Club’. To enjoy the beautiful surroundings of the Dandenong Ranges, we organise scenic drives and other excursions.