St Paul’s Caboolture marks 30 years of supporting seniors

Caboolture’s St Paul’s Aged Care and Retirement Living is celebrating three decades in the Moreton Bay region.

The Lutheran Services community on Tomlinson Rd opened in July, 1994 with 61 aged care beds and 25 independent living units.

It’s now home to 104 residents supported by about 100 staff.

Manager Michael Andrews said the supported living community was built with the love, devotion and hard work of the St Paul’s Lutheran Church congregation.

“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,’’ Michael says.

“The fabulous St Paul’s community today is testament to this foundation.”

Michael says there have been many changes in the past 30 years to create a contemporary aged care community with co-located retirement living that now has 37 villas.

Lutheran Services also provides Home Care services to St Paul’s Retirement Living residents, as well as to clients across Moreton Bay.

Forging friendships

Val Siegle has lived at St Paul’s for 17 years and says there’s nowhere else she would rather be.

She 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,’’ Val says.

“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.’’

A place to call home

Leigh and Peter Ashworth are the retirement community’s newest residents but have a long-standing 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,’’ Peter says.

“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,’’ Leigh says.

“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 morning tea was held in the community’s hall on July 3 to celebrate the 30th anniversary.