Carinity Wishart Gardens residents gathered last week to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the opening of the popular retirement community in Brisbane.
The event proved so popular with residents that organisers hosted two separate COVID-safe morning teas in the Carinity Wishart Gardens community pavilion to ensure that everyone who wanted to attend could be part of the celebrations.
The festivities included a morning tea, guest speakers, celebratory cake cuttings, and a video presentation on the history of the Wishart area and the development of the retirement village.
Residents were presented with special cupcakes and gift packs for attendees to take home.
Six residents who moved to Carinity Wishart Gardens when it opened in 1996 – Glynn Bensley, Ken Chapman, Jean Miller, Reg Miller, Thora Miller and Daphne Roberts – still live at the seniors’ community on Brisbane’s south side.
Jean, Glynn and Daphne cut special celebratory cakes at the anniversary events to mark the 25-year milestone.
Carinity Wishart Gardens resident, Meryle Mackay says the retirement community offers a supportive and social lifestyle.
“They say first impressions count and that is how it was for me on my first visit to Wishart Gardens,” Meryle says.
“After living here for several years, one of my favourite things is life in the village. It is indeed a wonderful friendly and caring community.”
Carinity Retirement Villages Manager Phillip Sellwood says Carinity Wishart Gardens is home to around 80 residents aged from their 70s to mid-90s.
“There is a very strong sense of community at Wishart Gardens which is located within reach of entertainment hubs and supports active lifestyles for our residents,” Phillip says.
“Some of our residents love this place so much that their friends and siblings have decided to move here too.”
Wishart Gardens is one of five retirement communities across Queensland operated by not-for-profit Carinity, which has been supporting seniors for more than 70 years.
“It is one of four Carinity retirement villages in Brisbane, Bundaberg and Rockhampton which feature co-located residential aged care communities,” Phillip says.
“In addition, construction of a new aged care community next to our existing Carinity Brownesholme retirement village in Highfields, near Toowoomba, is nearing completion.”
Phillip says all Carinity retirement communities also have access to in-home care support provided by Carinity Home Care.