Inverell’s McLean Care has agreed to merge with rural and regional aged care provider Respect Group, ending months of uncertainty over the future of its residential aged care homes in Inverell, Guyra and Gunnedah.
The McLean Care Board has entered into an agreement with Respect Group Limited to take over the organisation’s residential aged care and independent living operations, subject to customary conditions. Respect is a not-for-profit with a 100 year history, operating 41 aged care homes across six states along with retirement villages, independent living communities and home care services.
Manuel Meszaros, Chair of McLean Care, said the decision followed careful consideration by the Board.
“This is one of the most significant decisions in McLean Care’s history. After a comprehensive process, the Board is confident that Respect is the right organisation to ensure the future of care across our communities while continuing McLean Care’s legacy.”
“Respect shares our values, our commitment to regional communities and our focus on delivering high-quality care. Importantly, this transition provides the scale, capability and resources needed to ensure services remain available for future generations,” Mr Meszaros said.
Jason Binder, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Respect, said the organisation was honoured to have been selected to continue McLean Care’s legacy.
“McLean Care has a proud history of serving regional communities and we are honoured to have been selected to continue that legacy.”
“Respect specialises in supporting aged care services in rural and regional Australia, and our priority will be ensuring a smooth transition for residents, families and staff while maintaining the high standards of care people know and trust,” Mr Binder said.
Respect will invest significantly in the redevelopment of Killean, McLean Care’s original Inverell facility, and Mackellar at Apex Road, with smaller refurbishment works planned across other sites. Residents and clients will keep receiving care from the same team, and all McLean Care staff will maintain their current entitlements.
“We see significant opportunity to invest in McLean Care’s facilities and services over time. Together, we can build a stronger and more resilient organisation that continues to support older Australians to remain connected to the communities they call home,” Mr Binder said.
The merger hopefully ends a period of intense uncertainty for the organisation, which traces its roots to a convalescent home Hector McLean established in Inverell in the 1930s. McLean Care announced in February it would seek new operators for its 370 residential aged care beds across six facilities in Inverell, Guyra and Gunnedah in northern NSW, and Oakey and Millmerran in southern Queensland, after an operating loss of $11.67 million in the year to 30 June 2025, on top of a $6 million loss the year before.
Long-serving chief executive Sue Thomson stepped away in the same announcement, with Jill Davidson appointed to guide the organisation through the transition.
“Unfortunately, the pressures on aged care providers, especially in regional areas, mean McLean Care’s operations are no longer viable under our current operating model,” Mr Meszaros said at the time.
The announcement angered many in Inverell, where McLean Care’s land and buildings trace back to Hector McLean’s bequest to the community. Former board chair Phil Girle argued the organisation’s property belonged to the community and questioned how it could be sold, while families and Inverell Shire Council raised concerns about a lack of communication.
“McLean Care has been part of the fabric of Inverell for generations. Our community deserves clarity and confidence during this transition,” Mayor Kate Dight said.
In March, Acting CEO Jill Davidson moved to reassure the community, as it emerged the Killean facility had failed an Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission audit in 2025, with non-compliance identified across five quality standards. A remediation plan followed, and the Commission indicated by January it was satisfied the facility could maintain required standards.
McLean Care’s home care clients were transitioned to Australian Unity from June, and in June the organisation moved its allied health services to external provider Plena Healthcare, replacing its in-house physiotherapy, dietetics and speech pathology team. A McLean Care employee, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said staff were concerned residents who relied on daily physiotherapy to stay mobile would be left worse off.
“Our residents will be deeply affected by this and feel that they have not been a priority in this decision,” the employee said.
With the Respect merger now agreed, McLean Care and Respect say the priority for both organisations is a smooth and orderly transition for residents, families and staff, while maintaining the high standards of care people have come to expect.
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