Alice Springs, Northern Territory.

Old Timers Home provides high care support to the frail aged who have a need for 24-hour nursing care. Based in Alice Springs, it serves the people of Central Australia generally, and those surrounding Alice Springs in particular. It is managed by the Director of Nursing leading a staff of approximately 70, including Registered Nurses, Enrolled Nurses, Support Workers, Housekeeping, Maintenance, Clerical and Catering Staff.

Old Timers is the oldest of the Frontier Services residential care services as well as the first in the Northern Territory and has a special place in Frontier Services and the Australian Inland Mission’s history. The first ever cottage on the site was constructed by John Flynn, to give "old timers" a place to rest in the shade of Mount Blatherskite.

The population of Old Timers varies, but has a constant base of 68 residents, with at least one third Indigenous.

Old Timers also provides transitional care (from hospital to home) and respite services.

Fred McKay Day Therapy Centre

The Fred McKay Day Therapy Centre is located at the Old Timers Village in Alice Springs, Northern Territory. It serves the local Alice Springs community, including residents of the Old Timers Village. A staff of five, including allied health professionals, is managed by the Coordinator.

The service was established in 1988 with strong financial support from the community. It has a hydrotherapy pool, fully equipped physiotherapy rooms, purpose built kitchen designed to compensate for physical disabilities and a large multi-purpose area.

Activities are conducted every day for members of the Old Timers and Alice Springs communities.

The Cottages

The Cottages, located at Old Timers Village in Alice Springs, Northern Territory, are for ageing Centralians. They are managed by the Old Timers Director of Nursing.

Maintenance and emergency after hours support is provided by Old Timers staff.

The Reverend John Flynn had the original vision of providing a place for old bushmen to spend their latter years by the Todd River. The land was purchased in 1949 and the first cottage opened in 1950.

Currently there are 43 self-care independent cottages housing 49 residents - both single and double accommodation. Residents have access to the town bus service and many have their own cars. 24-hour emergency call and support is provided by Old Timers nursing home and the Fred Mackay Day Therapy Centre. Residents of the Cottages may source support from community services for home and community care if required.

Cottage residents are not required to undergo income and assets testing, or pay entry fee when applying to take up residence at Old Timers Village.

Resident rental income is supplemented by Frontier Services Old Timers Auxilliary fundraising.

Volunteers from the cottages manage the small Traeger Museum, which contains pioneering relics of Central Australia. The Museum was opened in 1966 as a means of preserving factual record of the early Territory days.