St Paul’s Aged Care and Retirement Living in Caboolture is celebrating 30 years of serving seniors in the Moreton Bay region.
The Lutheran Services community on Tomlinson Road opened in July 1994 with 61 aged care beds and 25 independent living units, and is now home to 104 residents supported by around 100 staff.
St Paul’s Manager, Michael Andrews said the supported living community was built with the love, devotion and hard work of St Paul’s Lutheran Church congregation in Caboolture.
“The local Lutheran congregation saw a need for aged care and seniors living in the Caboolture area and spearheaded fundraising and construction of the 5ha site,’’ he said.
“The fabulous St Paul’s community today is testament to this foundation.”
Mr Andrews said many positive changes had taken place over three decades to create a contemporary aged care community with co-located retirement living that now provides 37 villas. Lutheran Services also provides Home Care services to St Paul’s Retirement Living residents, as well as to clients across Moreton Bay.
St Paul’s Retirement Living resident of 17 years, Val Siegle, says there’s nowhere else she would rather live.
Mrs Siegle moved into a two-bedroom villa in 2007 with her late husband David, a Lutheran Pastor.
“I love living here, it’s a small friendly community where everyone looks out for their neighbours,’’ she said.
“There is always someone available for a chat and I have more close friends here than I’ve ever had in my life.
“The staff are also excellent and very caring. They were very supportive when I lost David.’’
Leigh and Peter Ashworth are the retirement community’s newest residents but have a generational connection to St Paul’s.
“My late mum May had lived here very happily for almost eight years and then spent two years in the aged care section where she received excellent care,’’ Mr Ashworth said.
“I always said ‘if ever the opportunity arises I’m moving to St Paul’s to retire’ so we did.’’
The couple downsized from their Sunshine Coast home in May.
“We were seeking an easier lifestyle and we like the peace of mind knowing we won’t need to move again,’’ Mrs Ashworth said.
“The convenience of having aged care on the site if we ever need it was a big part of our decision to move here.’’
A celebratory morning tea was held in the community’s hall on July 3 to mark the 30th anniversary.