For those that do, it is usually because of a lot of hard work and determination.

Stroud’s John Bowen achieved his dream 30 years ago. Back in the 1980s John was driving to Gloucester every weekend to bring his mother, in an aged care facility, home for the weekend.

He figured there had to be a better way and questioned why there was no such facility in Stroud.

John decided to take the bull by the horns and make something happen.

He was a member of the Stroud Lions Club and part of the group’s role was to look after and mow the local cemetery.

“We were very good at looking after the dead, but I thought we should have been looking after the living,” John said.

“Fellow members embraced the idea and I was elected to lead the vision and the dream that would eventually become Stroud Community Lodge.”

That was back in 1985 and along with committee members Don Russell, Dr Roy Mills, Darrel Adnum and Mark Wheeler, the wheels were set in motion to build an aged care facility in Stroud.

“It was our aim to provide aged care to the many aged people of the district so they could stay in the Stroud area in their ageing years instead of being relocated,” John said.

After five years of intense fundraising, Stroud Community Lodge opened in February 1990.

“While I led the charge, there were a lot of other people who helped along the way,” John said.

“There were years of fundraising, everything from selling chicken manure to pushing a wheelbarrow around town to raise the money.

“Eventually, thanks to our efforts and a government subsidy, we had $860,000 to build the first stage.”

Arch Austin donated the the land where the new home was to be built.

“There was a bit of a problem because we had to raise it 1.8m so it was above the one in 100 flood event,” John said.

“I had a quarry on my land and we used the gravel from there. Local earthmoving contractors provided their time free of charge, to move it on site. 14,000 cubic metres of gravel was used in the first stage of the construction.”

The first stage opened with 12 rooms. Not long after a further eight were added. The third stage saw an additional five rooms built and an extension of function room.

In 2005, three self-care rooms were opened and five years later during the final stage another six rooms and an open lounge room were constructed between the low and high care sections.

“Every room has a toilet and ensuite - they are just like motel rooms,” John said.

“Unbeknown to me, when (federal Member for Paterson) Bob Baldwin was conducting the official opening there was a plaque to call it the John Bowen wing.

“It really took me by surprise. Everyone kept it a secret.”

Now, after 30 years, John has decided to step down as chairperson of the Stroud Community Lodge.

He said he felt he had reached his “use-by date”, due to declining health and advancing age.

John said the facility was a unique place because of what it stodd for and how it looked after its residents.

The centre is owned by the community and administered by a board of directors who are all volunteers.

“During the 30 years I have had wonderful support in making this place grow from a plot of dirt to what it is today,” John said.

“It was built for the people of Stroud. While some have moved away from the area, many want to come back to the lodge to see out their final days.

“My wife Doreen has been a volunteer here since the day it opened and still provides the residents with a lolly trolley, selling powders, lollies, soaps and all the day-to-day necessities.

“This won’t be the last you will see me here at the lodge - I will be calling in to say hello to the residents and helping Doreen push the trolley around to all the rooms.

“I can’t walk out and leave my friends behind.”

Rod Williams has taken over the role of chairperson.