A 92-year-old resident of Currawarna Assisted Living (CAL) facility in Bombala is passionately advocating for the revival of the Snowy River Hostel in Berridale, sharing his story of loss, isolation and the critical need for aged care services closer to home.

Bruce Hodges, who dedicated 30 years of his life working on the Snowy Mountains Scheme, has called on the Snowy Monaro region to rally behind a proposal to transform the dormant hostel into a much-needed aged care facility.

Mr Hodges’ connection to the region spans decades. After his years on the Snowy Scheme, he moved to Cabramurra before then settling in Jindabyne to raise his family.

An avid skier, his life took an unexpected turn following a serious accident that resulted in severe burns, leaving him unable to care for his sick wife and completely changing his life plan.

The couple moved into their daughter’s home in Jindabyne temporarily, but as his wife’s condition deteriorated, she required care at Cooma Hospital.

They utilised respite services at Monaro Community First before she was permanently transferred to Bombala Hospital and was there until she passed away just two months ago.

The daily commute from Jindabyne to Bombala proved too difficult for Mr Hodges, spending nearly three hours a day traveling via car, so when a spot opened at CAL, he seized the opportunity to be closer to his wife.

“I’ve been here ever since and it was the best decision I’ve ever made,” Mr Hodges said.

Mr Hodges speaks candidly about the emotional toll the move had on him and entering aged care, particularly when separated from family and familiar surroundings.

“I’m lonely, I’m bored, I’m grieving, I’m frustrated and I’m worried about the future,” Mr Hodges said.

“In a situation like this there would be many feeling the same feelings I am, it is difficult to have to move and leave your home.”

The practical challenges are equally daunting for Mr Hodges as community transport to transfer him to Cooma for appointments is costly and with a shortage of available drivers he has had to find alternative options.

Mr Hodges has deep roots in community organisations, having been heavily involved when many local groups first formed.

Because of this, he understands firsthand how grant funding helped establish these initiatives and urges the community to band together to get grant funding to save the hostel.

After its closure, Mr Hodges has been following the hostel happenings and waiting for the community to somehow come up with a solution but nearly three years on the battle continues.

“It can be a smaller version of CAL, and I know they are willing to guide and direct,” Mr Hodges said.

“If we can get the community to get involved, I don’t see why this couldn’t happen. The existing building represents an opportunity too valuable to waste.

“There’s a building that’s ready to be used – why wouldn’t you use it for that purpose? Giving the asset to CAL would have been a good thing, a smart thing.”

Reflecting on his own situation, Mr Hodges said, “If the hostel would have had rooms years ago, me and my wife would have gone there instead of Bombala so we could remain close to our family and friends.

“A lot of people I know here would also opt for that choice given the hostel was open. If it ever does open in the future, I will be the first to jump in on the opportunity to move over there.”

The future of the Berridale Hostel was the subject of heated debate at the 21 September Snowy Monaro council meeting, where councillors considered a recission motion after an earlier decision was passed and subsequently reversed.

Councillor John Rooney said council must be very cautious and councillors should not be rushing to make new spending commitments.

“When looking at affordability, we also have to evaluate value for money,” Cr Rooney said.

“Also, we need to bear in mind the expressed desire from the Berridale community to keep the hostel in public ownership, in community hands, which effectively means owned by council.”

However, councillor Reuben Rose expressed frustration with the process.

“Two years ago, we ran an EOI that produced no viable operator. Council is already proposing to take $60,000 of funds from the roads and spend it on another fruitless process to produce no outcome,” Cr Rose said.

“This proposal here is just a process that’s going to produce no outcome, costs us money, costs us time, and produces absolutely no results. I just can’t support it at all.”

For Mr Hodges, the message to the community is clear: back this initiative and apply for grants to make the Snowy River Hostel a reality once more.

“CAL is a blessing for many, it is a great facility,” Mr Hodges said.

“To have a place like this running out of Berridale would make an enormous difference to the people who need that service rather than having to travel far away from their home and family.”

The recission motion, that no decision on the hostel’s future will be made before the matter comes back to council again was passed with six voting for and four voting against.