Events

【CASS Opens a Large Multicultural Residential Aged Care Facility in Northern Sydney】

The grand opening of CASS Asquith Residential Aged Care Facility (RACF) was celebrated on 5 December 2025. This milestone strengthens aged care capacity in Northern Sydney, addressing growing demand for high-quality, culturally responsive services.

More than 100 guests attended the ceremony, including Clr Sallianne McClelland, Deputy Mayor of Hornsby Shire Council, representing Clr Warren Waddell, Mayor of Hornsby Shire Council, Ms Nicolette Boele MP, Federal Member for Bradfield; Mr Julian Lesser, Federal Member for Berowra, who extended his greetings via a congratulatory video message; Mr James Wallace MP, State Member for Hornsby, Mr Mark Hodges MP, State Member for Castle Hill; representatives from the Republic of Korea and the People’s Republic of China, as well as CASS partners and community leaders.

The CASS Asquith RACF project began in 2016, reflecting the long-standing commitment of CASS to supporting culturally and linguistically diverse communities. The facility offers 97 single rooms, each with a private ensuite, as well as an adjacent block of 11 Independent Living Units and a community hall, all thoughtfully designed to nurture connection and belonging.

Since commencing operations in May 2024, the facility has grown rapidly and is now operating near full capacity.

Built on Community Support and Purpose

Professor Stephen Li, Chairperson of CASS, acknowledged the significance of the achievement:

“Building a residential aged care facility is a monumental undertaking requiring substantial financial commitment. The CASS Asquith RACF required more than $45 million in investment, excluding land costs. Despite challenges, including construction delays during the COVID-19 pandemic, CASS pushed forward the Project for the community. The strong support from supporters, partners and community members has been essential in making our vision a reality.”

As one of the largest multicultural aged care facilities in North Sydney, the Asquith RACF impressed Ms Nicolette Boele MP, who praised the vital services it provides to local seniors.

Culturally Inclusive Care

The CASS Asquith RACF supports residents from China, Korea, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Taiwan and many other cultural backgrounds. With a multilingual care team, meals, activities, and daily routines are designed to respect cultural and linguistic needs.

A dedicated Korean wing further demonstrates this commitment, and CASS plans to introduce additional culturally tailored wings as community needs evolve.

An Active Senior Community

In its first 18 months, the facility has welcomed more than 137 residents, many in their nineties. A video shown during the ceremony featured the oldest resident, aged 107, who begins each morning by logging onto his computer to read the news.

Residents enjoy a diverse activity program, including mahjong, karaoke, sing-alongs, indoor volleyball, table tennis, arts and crafts, promoting physical, social, and emotional wellbeing.

Hong Kong Bus Stop Pole Launch

The special highlight of the event was the unveiling of a Bus Stop Pole, brought to Australia through collaboration with Hong Kong’s Kowloon Motor Bus (KMB) Company.

Ms Carmen Ng, Head of Customer Experience at KMB, who flew in from Hong Kong for the ceremony, said:

“Many seniors from Hong Kong hold fond memories of the city’s iconic bus network. After installing our first Caring Bus Stop Pole at CASS RACF in Campsie in 2023, we are delighted to partner with CASS again.”

The ceremony was livestreamed, enabling all residents to participate. It concluded with multicultural performances and guided tours of the facility.

For more information about CASS Residential Aged Care Services, please visit: https://casscare.org.au/services/residential-aged-care/