The Carers' Retreat is finally open

July 9, 2026

It's taken two years from the idea to the reality, but the Carers' Retreat at the Oberon hospital is finally here, with the official opening happening on July 7.

The idea of the retreat is to provide a space where family and friends can spend time with patients away from the sometimes threatening paraphernalia that surrounds patients in regular hospital wards. This is particularly relevant when the patients are nearing the end of their lives, and the retreat gives everyone a safe place to be together at an immensely stressful time. One of the facilities is what is called a "cuddle bed", which is a double-sized hospital bed that allows people to lie next to their loved ones in those final days. This can be specially comforting for children about to lose grandparents or other relatives.

Oberon has an aging population, with relatives spread widely across the country. The Carers' Retreat provides a place for family to be at the bedside without necessarily having to rely on costly (and sometimes hard to find) accommodation if they have to come from somewhere else.

The Retreat was officially opened by Federal Member Andrew Gee MP (who had organised significant grants for then project), in the presence of local state MP Paul Toole, Oberon Mayor Andrew McKibbin, members of the Oberon Hospital Auxiliary, a representative of the Oberon Garden Club (the club donates the proceeds of the annual Open Garden Festival), local media and well-wishers. Andrew Gee took the opportunity to present the hospital with two new flags to replace the wind worn ones outside the building.

Things like this don't happen by themselves and thanks have to be given to several local businesses who either provided their services for free or for just the cost of materials.

The Oberon Garden Club for their support and donation
John Borg who provided the original donation to start the project
Bunnings for donating and installing the kitchen
Veolia for a grant
HVM Electrical for keeping the lights on
Samuel Plumbing and Red Dog Plumbing for the waterworks
Bailey Construction who worked for free to put everything together
Andrew Gee MP for facilitating the grant to pay for the "cuddle bed"

This was a true community project and shows what can happen when everyone in a a small town pulls in the same direction to get something worthwhile for the town.

Prime7 were there to record the day.