Yass Aged Care Foundation Inc. (YACF) is a NSW Fair Trading registered association formed on 22 October 1990 by citizens of the Yass Valley initially to raise $1 million for the establishment of Horton House Nursing Home. In September 1992 the 31 Bed Horton House Nursing Home commenced operations after a successful fundraising appeal. The project had been effectively started on 17 March 1992 with a bequest by Elsie F Horton of $380,000. Total funds acquired towards the project, including government funding, had been $3.275m (From day one of operations they started with no debt + $50,000 in the bank).

In February 1996 provision was made for a further 4 beds.

The next major fund raising initiative was during 2004/2009 when Warmington Lodge, a local aged care facility, was relocated to a site alongside Horton House. $973,000 was successfully raised within the community and the project completed by 26 November 2007 providing an additional 30 beds.

Horton House and Warmington Lodge are operated by an independent company limited by guarantee, Yass Valley Aged Care Limited (YVACL), and has its own board of directors and professional staff.

To better facilitate the raising of public donations, Yass Aged Care Trust was established on 10 October 2005. The Trust was approved by the Australian Taxation Office as a Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) and is managed by Yass Aged Care Foundation Inc. whose board of management consists of suitably qualified Yass Valley citizens who volunteer their time gratis. 

Board Members

President

Katie Walker

Vice Presidents

Alfred McCarthy

Helen Stone

Paul Turner

Treasurer

Tony Parker

Secretary and Public Officer

Mark McRae

Committee Members

Alison Cooke

Camilla Taylor

Elizabeth Darmody

Jan Minahan

Peter Miller

Tim Gee

On 19 August 2008 the Yass Aged Care Trust received a special bequest from the Estate of the Late Ronald Clarke, the total value of the bequest being a little over $4 million. These funds are invested in leading Australian equities, fixed interest securities and bank term deposits subject to the supervision of the Management Committee and a professional investment adviser Lee Scott from Shaw & Partners. The surplus income derived from this portfolio is reinvested. In the terms of the bequest the funds are applied for the benefit of aged care in the Yass Valley local government area. The Trust operates as an approved ancillary fund under Federal Legislation implemented from 1 January 2012 and by law annually has to distribute 4% of its net asset value (at market value as at the end of the previous financial year) otherwise the foundation would loose it DGR status . 

After a major refurbishment was completed in November 2019, Horton House now has 35 single rooms, 26 of which have spacious ensuites. There is also an additional large lounge and dining area named the Clarke Wing and a new staff break room. Warmington Lodge has 28 single ensuited rooms and 2 rooms which share an adjoining bathroom (well suited to a couple).

Up until March 2021 the Trust has distributed a total of $2.18m to Yass Valley Aged Care Limited (YVACL) (Horton House/Warmington Lodge). These funds are use to offset their operational costs, to improve the quality of life of the residents.