The November newsletter is now online. A big month, with the Melbourne Cup festivitates and of course Remembrance Day on the 11th November. Download the newsletter here.
Residents News
Steady as she goes…

Updated – please see our latest post here…
We’re continuing to keep a watchful eye on the “State of the Virus”, while we carefully open up to visitors. As you can see from the calendar, we’re open to visitors on Saturday 31st October and then on the 1st, 2nd, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 12th, 14th and 15th of November.
As before, to book, call any day on (0401) 472 926 between 2.00 pm and 5.00 pm only and tell us your preferred date and time. Alternatively, send an SMS to this number.
As you’ll understand, we need to comply with NSW Health Advice, as per this notice [ link] , which unfortunately excludes visitors from some suburbs, such as Lakemba, Liverpool, Bayside, Randwick and Camden Local Government Areas (full list of excluded suburbs here). Use of public transport is not recommended.
Book a Visit

We’re excited to further increase our visitor hours. This coming week, we’re open for visits on Sunday 18th, Thursday 22nd and Saturday 24th of October.
In the following week, the days are Sunday 25th, Tuesday 27th, Wednesday 28th and Saturday 31st as well as Sunday 1st of November.
As before, to book, call any day on (0401) 472 926 between 2.00 pm and 5.00 pm only and tell us your preferred date and time. Alternatively, send an SMS to this number.
Now that physical visits are practical once more, we’re phasing out our managed phone/video calls and booking them will cease on 23 October. However, if you live out of the area or are a vulneral person yourself and cannot leave the house to visit ATV, please call us with a special request for a phone or video call.
As you’ll understand, we need to comply with NSW Health Advice, as per this notice [ link] , which unfortunately excludes visitors from some suburbs, such as Lakemba, Liverpool, Bayside, Randwick and Camden Local Government Areas (full list of excluded suburbs here). Use of public transport is not recommended.
Stay Safe,
Sophia Markwell,
General Manager
Visitor Update
As COVID restrictions are being carefully relaxed, it is now possible to visit residents on selected days.
Next days available: Saturday 10th and Wednesday 14th October between 1.00 pm and 5.00pm.
To book: call 0401 472 926 between 2:00 pm and 5:00 pm only on any day with your preferred time, alternatively send an SMS to this number. We will respond in a timely fashion to confirm or offer an alternative time.
Subject to NSW Health Dept advice, next week’s visiting will be on Sunday 18th and Thursday 22nd October.
Visitors!
As you know, Abel Tasman has been reviewing a limited opening of our facility to visitors on a weekly basis.
This week, we can announce some changes! This is great news… but we are still restricted according to Local Government Area hot-spots after advice from the NSW Dept of Health and our peak advisory body ACSA.
So unfortunately family and friends who have visited selected Local Government Areas in the last 14 days are still restricted from visiting the Abel Tasman Village (see listing below).
But we are happy to announce that for eligible visitors, we are implementing the following schedule starting this week:
- Opening 2 days per week, on rotating days on weekdays and weekends between the hours of 1.00 and 5.00 pm. This week, those days will be Sunday 4th and Tuesday 6th of October.
- We can accommodate a maximum of 2 people for a one hour visit in the Resident’s room only.
- In order to reduce congestion visitors will need to book their visit online with arrivals staggered at 10 minute intervals in order to allow staff to conduct the necessary screening process and escorting. [update: for this week ( 4,6 October), we will operate on 15 minute intervals]
- Booking must be made at the latest by 12pm on the requested day of visit. The last appointment available is at 4:10 for a visit finishing at 5.00PM.
- Please be aware of social distancing whilst waiting to access the facility outside the gate and remember hand hygiene and mask etiquette for your visit. Of course we would appreciate your timely arrival according to your booking to help us facilitate your visit.
Our Book a Visit page will go live tomorrow (Saturday 3/10/2020).
You will appreciate that the above limitations are imposed on us by the NSW Department of Health.
Stay Safe,
Sophia Markwell,
General Manager.
Restricted Areas (click for map): Campbelltown LGA, Liverpool LGA and Parramatta LGA
October 2020 Newsletter
With the promise of an opening of our facility back up to visitors, this month’s Newsletter hints at many celebrations during the month. Be sure to download it now!
Another week

Another week where staff went out of their way to assist our residents at an extraordinary time. I want to especially recognise those staff today. Many have close relatives overseas or interstate. While at the Village, the lock-down has meant going out of their way to keep our residents safe, healthy and entertained despite many challenges. Thank you!
Another week of looking forward to a gradual opening up of visits to Abel Tasman. Thankfully the signs are good, but we’ll need to wait for clearance from the authorities to open to visitors again. As we said last week, there is always the opportunity to allow visits in hardship cases. Talk to us where necessary.
Another week where our electronic communication facilities have improved. Our recent connection to the NBN has settled down and now offers a better connection for those of you connecting via old or new technologies. We have also begun a project to further improve communication facilities at the Village.
Stay Safe,
Sophia Markwell,
General Manager
Heading towards opening up

As we head towards the end of September, our hopes are high that we will be able to welcome visitors to the Village soon. This has been a difficult period for friends and relatives, as well as the residents in our care. While the final decision is not in our hands, we now expect that we will be able to welcome visitors by early October, in time for the long weekend.
When we are ready to receive visitors, we will initially only be able to accommodate a maximum of two visitors at the same time. You’ll understand that we will require visitors to have masks and observe hygiene measures (yes, wash your hands!).
As most of our friends and relatives have found out, we post regular updates of goings on at the Village on our Facebook page. If you’re not already following us there, check out our Facebook feed when you get a chance.
Finally, should any urgent need arise, we can accommodate visitors by special request. Please contact me on the usual phone number.
Sincerely,
Sophia Markwell,
General Manager
September Newsletter
The lock-down continues but our ever resourceful activities department managed to fill another month’s calendar for September. The main event is Father’s Day, most probably celebrated in isolation…
So in any case, here is this month’s activities calendar.
August Update

We’ve settled into a routine at the Village and unfortunately expect to keep the current visitor restrictions at least until the end of August.
A reminder for ALL relatives and friends to ensure they have received the 2020 flu vaccine.
Despite the temporary closure, we are still providing for relatives to enter Abel Tasman Village when residents are entering End of Life care. These families and friends must still ensure they have current flu vaccination.
Thanks to all the families who have taken advantage of our new communication portal to stay in touch with your loved ones. You can book your session here (or look for the drop down menu item under “About Us”). Alternatively, staff can assist you on (02) 9645 3388.
Sophia Markwell
General Manager