Fernlea name query

EMERALD’S longawaited palliative care unit Fernlea House has been asked to explain its name change following complaints from nearby residents.
Fernlea House president Jan Lancaster said one of the unit’s volunteers met a number of residents who had raised concerns over the name change from Fernlee to Fernlea House.
Fernlea House was originally named Fernlee in 1950 by local business owners Bob and Nella Baker.
A group of dedicated volunteers have been working get Fernlea House up and running since 2000.
After extensive lobbying, the group was promised in June $800,000 in Federal Government funding over the next three years.
The unit will provide palliative care to people with life threatening illnesses such as cancer, multiple sclerosis, and endstage heart failure.
After becoming an incorporated body known as Fernlea House the group of volunteers started searching for a home to buy in the area suitable for a palliative care day unit.
Volunteer member Ann Bolch said the group bought the house coincidentally known as Fernlee in June last year.
The original Fernlee house is ingrained in the history of Emerald, with Mr and Mrs Baker owning the property until 1989, building it into a guesthouse and kiosk.
The Bakers named the property Fernlee because of the tree ferns under which their guests were served morning and afternoon tea.
Ms Lancaster said it was sad that some people were having negative feelings over the name change, especially when the volunteer committee had worked so hard to bring a palliative care service to the area.
Fernlea House will be officially opened on Thursday, 17 November at 11am, with La Trobe MP Jason Woods officiating the occasion.