By ZAIDA GLIBANOVIC

 

MOE Royal Freemasons will now be called Baw Baw Views.

The name change came after the national not-for-profit organisation Respect recently took over the Moe Royal Freemasons aged care home on February 19.

Respect said the name ‘Baw Baw Views’ was selected following community consultation and a public vote.

As part of the handover process, last month Respect reached out to the home’s staff, residents, and the Moe community, seeking suggestions and input around updating the home’s name.

Respect said that following a widespread and popular public response, Jason Binder, managing director and chief executive of Respect, said the new name not only signals a new chapter for the home but also acknowledges its ongoing connection with the surrounding region.

“We reached out to everyone across the community because we really wanted to ensure they were front and centre of the decision-making process and in control of leading any change,” Mr Binder said.

“With this in mind, we encouraged name suggestions from staff, residents and the community that spoke to the home’s unique character and culture, as well as connection to Moe, and we then called on everyone again to have their say through an online survey.”

Owing to the home’s proximity to Mount Baw Baw, ‘Baw Baw Views’ was nominated multiple times amidst the many suggestions received.

Respect said that when presented to the public in a survey featuring several other nominations, Baw Baw Views proved to be a popular choice, with two-thirds of all respondents giving their nod of approval for the home’s new name.

The other options on the survey were Amaroo Lodge, Edward Hunter Manor, Marlee Lodge and Mueller Lodge.

Moe local and Latrobe City Councillor, Sharon Gibson, said that while she understood the aged care facility has views of Mount Baw Baw, she did wish the name reflected its place in a town with a proud and rich history.

“While I can understand that you do have brilliant views of Baw Baw out there, it also doesn’t highlight the pride in our area in the name,” she said.

As part of the re-naming process, Respect offered a special prize to the first individual to suggest the name eventually chosen by the public as the winning nomination.

This was in the form of a $2500 cash prize and a $2500 donation to a local charity of their choice.

The aged care provider said they were looking forward to reaching the winner in the coming days.

Celebrating the official transfer of the aged care home and the new name, Mr Binder said the day was significant.

“Regardless of its new name, we appreciate what the home means to our residents and staff, as well as so many families across Moe and beyond. First and foremost is the service provided to older people, and we recognise the important role that the home plays for so many locals in the community,” Mr Binder said.

“We’re committed to continuing that culture of care and respect, and we look forward to ensuring Baw Baw Views remains a wonderful place for our residents to live.”

While known as the Royal Freemasons Moe, the facility faced a scathing report from aged care regulators in early 2023 after 70-year-old Dennis Miller was found lying dead outside the facility in May 2022. ABC News reported that following a complaint from Mr Miller’s family, the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commissioner opened an inquiry. The investigation’s findings discovered several shortcomings on the part of the aged care facility.

The home was later re-accredited by the aged care regulator after being audited and was given accreditation until February 16, 2025.

The Weekly Source reported that Respect Aged Care is known for its ability to turn around failing aged care operations, from one losing $800,000 a month to others under serious sanction facing closure.

The regional non-profit aged care service was founded more than 60 years ago and currently runs 22 sites in Victoria, Tasmania and New South Wales.

The Royal Freemasons in Sale was also taken over by Respect. The Sale facility will now be known as Wattleglen after going through the same community consultation and voting process.