Our History
In 2001, Jan Lancaster, Anne Speedie, Leonie Hamer, Barb Ward and Anne Sutterby started a campaign for a hospice in
the hills. With support from well-known 'Sea Change' actors Jill Forster and her husband John Stanton, three years of Commonwealth Government funding and a grant from
Upwey and District Bendigo Bank, Jan and Murray Lancaster purchased Fernlea House, and it opened in 2004.
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Day respite comes to the hills
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Since opening, Fernlea has provided day respite for more than
800 people and their families. Over the years, satellite centres
have operated in Healesville, Pakenham and Berwick, and we helped mentor Anam Cara Hospice before they opened in
Geelong and Colac.
Fernlea House Emerald
Fernlea now operates two day respite centres - Fernlea House in Emerald and Fernlea House in Pakenham.
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Fernlea House Pakenham
In 2015, Fernlea In-Home Care was started, and Fernlea Shop of Opportunities opened. Our services support people living in the east and south-east regions of Melbourne.
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Fernlea Shop of Opportunities