The construction of RSL Care SA’s Romani aged care facility is well underway on Tumbella Drive in Murray Bridge. The 72-bed residential aged care facility, which adjoins Waterford Estate, has been designed by Walterbrooke Architects and is being built by Schiavello.
As part of the build, RSL Care SA and Schiavello have developed a program that recognises and acknowledges the good work and construction practices of apprentices over the course of the build. Every 104 days one apprentice is selected by their peers for exemplifying the following qualities:
- Safe working practices
- Compliance with the site condition
- Quality of workmanship
- Resilience
- Overall team player
This is significant, as the Battle of Romani began when the Australian Light Horse and the Anzac Mounted Division were attacked by a combined Ottoman, German and Austrian force advancing on the Suez Canal. Over ensuing days desperate fighting saw the attackers defeated, and the Suez Canal safe from further attack. The battle signalled the beginning of a bolder offensive strategy as the British forces drove the enemy out of Egypt and into Palestine. More than 1200 Allied soldiers became casualties during Romani, including 104 Australians killed in action.
RSL Care SA CEO, Nathan Klinge explains the significance of the 104 days as follows, “As 104 Australians died in the Battle of Romani, this is the respectful reference point that we are using to recognise the apprentices, which aligns well with the project and the naming of the site”.
The apprentice receives a ‘Caring Hands’ Light horse bronze figurine, capturing the depth of a relationship built on courage and trust; a certificate of recognition and a $500 tool voucher to assist with purchasing the tools for their trade.
We look forward to presenting these special awards throughout the construction of Romani.