29 HammondCare home care clients are 100 and over

Merle on her 100th birthday with nephew John Davis and Wendy Davis.
HammondCare, a Not-For-Profit Christian charity, is dedicated to helping seniors live independently in their homes across NSW, ACT, Victoria, and Queensland. The organisation's Annual Report for 2024 revealed that its home care service brought in $173.1 million in revenue, caring for 9,796 people, including 29 clients aged 100 and over.
Out of these centenarians, only 10 are receiving Level 4 Home Care Packages, while seven are on Level 3. The remaining 12 are on lower Home Care Packages or the Commonwealth Home Support Package.
Meet Merle, HammondCare’s latest 100-year-old client
Merle Simon, who lives in Raby, just outside Sydney, has recently joined the HammondCare "100 Club." Despite turning 100, Merle is full of life – enjoying her weekly takeaway fish and chips, spending time with her dog Bambi, and living independently with a bit of help from a walker when she leaves home. She’s been receiving care from HammondCare for over 10 years.
Merle celebrated her milestone birthday with a party surrounded by friends from HammondCare’s Ironbark Social Club in Hammondville, complete with congratulations from King Charles and local politicians.
“I might be turning 100, but I am not dead yet,” Merle said, showing her vibrant spirit.
HammondCare’s Home Care General Manager, Marcella Carrasco, expressed how proud the care team, led by Vicky Bourke, is to be a part of Merle’s journey and to celebrate this special occasion with her.