Inverell mayor Paul Harmon did the honours of cutting the ribbon to officially open the space on April 4, and lauded the donation from McLean where he has had family members spend their final years.

The idea was born from college educator Vicki Zammitt, and McLean residential manager Sarah Wade said their organisation was happy to accommodate.

A real patient bed, lifting equipment has been added to the college’s assets in a designated training room with their adult human-weight mannequin, giving students a chance to hone their skills before they ever work with a resident.

College teacher and McLean staff member Ean Muhs said he was thankful for the equipment which he felt facilitated more effective student learning.

“It makes my job easier, because now I can actually do some of this training before they get there,” he said, and explained in the past the students had only one manual handling day before they were on the job. “Now, I can practice that. It’s made life so much easier,” he said.

David Maddigan has just retired for years delivering aged care tuition to college students. He said the training was not limited to physical and technical skills.

“In the courses, we don’t only have people come who want to work in aged care or community, but we have people come because they’re looking after their parents,” he said.

Besides the practical and physical training, Ean felt empathy was critical, though it could not be taught, but perhaps developed.

“Just a caring attitude. They need to understand where people are coming from,” he said. David agreed perspective on another’s experience was essential.

“If we can get through to them, that we’re dealing with people who have raised families, fought in wars, made massive decisions, looked after grandchildren,” he said. “And now, after being in complete control, are in need of help.”