VMCH go by road and ferry to provide in-home care to man living on an island

Home care providers are forever concerned about how far staff have to travel. Cyril Kennedy, 68, who lives on French Island, the largest coastal island of Victoria, contacted VMCH (Villa Maria Catholic Homes) after going through the Department of Health and Aged Care’s My Aged Guide.

“I had to Google where it was,” said VMCH Case Manager Scott Li, who was assigned to Cyril. “It was an adventure.”

Scott had to drive for an hour from Melbourne to Stony Point on the Mornington Peninsula and then catch the once-a-day ferry, which takes 15 minutes to reach Tinkerton on French Island.

Cyril, who has lived on the island for the past 15 years, was waiting to meet him. French Island, which has a population of about 100 people, has no water mains or electricity. Cyril has been living in a van since his cabin burned down a few years ago. Scott quickly realised that due to Cyril’s health he needs home modifications to help him move around safely, transport to medical appointments and proper nutrition. Thinking outside the box, Scott has thought of some interesting solutions to the problem of remoteness, including the possibility of the island’s café supplying his meals.

"It is a challenge, but everything Cyril asks for is reasonable, so we’re trying to be flexible and investigate different options for special circumstances. I know this industry well, and this is definitely the most interesting situation I’ve had,” said Scott, who is hopeful that Cyril can remain at home.

Cyril, a former logging and earthmoving contractor, grew up in the Tasmanian bush, and says the French Island gives him the peace and quiet he craves.

“I came here initially for land clearing work, and then moved permanently. During the winter, you don’t do much, just go for a drive, a shoot or a fish. I go to the mainland about once a month for groceries. It’s (living here) not everyone’s cup of tea, but the tranquillity… you can’t beat it.”