There have been celebrations in the heart of Byron this week after nearly a year of uncertainty for eight elderly residents.

The group of determined but vulnerable elders haven’t had any official services at their boutique village in Marvel Street since mid last year when former manager, Feros, withdrew.

The original George Feros, an inspired businessman, famously walked the streets of Byron decades ago to raise money for the aged care cottages in the centre of town.

But it was ultimately a board of directors that in early twenty twenty-three announced it would be closing the village in order to redevelop the site into an intergenerational facility.

Around forty residents were told they would need to leave, with some places to be made available for them at other Feros villages nearby.

So began a sustained community and legal campaign to save the resident’s right to live in the Byron village, with Mark Swivel, local lawyer and member of the Byron Shire Council, playing a key role in the legal battle.

Lawyer Mark Swivel had a rather entertaining chat with our Bay FM Thursday drive time host Danny Salfield.