AN open day will be held at Northaven next Monday to mark the 75-year anniversary of its operator Baptcare.

The afternoon tea event, which will feature photos, memorabilia and guest speakers, will celebrate the rich history of Northaven as well as of Baptcare.

Baptcare now has more than 2000 staff providing residential care and support services across Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania.

However, the organisation's humble beginnings date back to the 1940s and the idea of one minister and his wife to open a Baptist aged care home in Victoria.

Acting on the vision of Reverend William G. Pope and his wife, the Baptist Women's Association, led by Mary Pope, raised 4000 pounds to buy a homestead.

The first aged care home, Strathalan, which accommodated nine residents, officially opened its doors in 1945.

Between 1959 and 1997 six more Baptist aged care facilities would be opened, one of them in Kerang.

In 1958 former Kerang councillor and Victorian upper house parliamentarian Mr William J. McCann, acting on his own vision, put forward the idea that the old bush nursing hospital in Shadforth Street would make an excellent aged care home.

The project was taken on by the Northern District Baptist Association, which in 1960 purchased the building known as 'Glenarm' for 10,366 pounds and immediate...