A Brief History of Baptistcare

A breakdown by year of significant events in the history of Baptistcare.
1972   Establishment of the Baptist Homes Board in response to an awareness that a need existed among the aged for suitable accommodation and nursing care. 
1975   Gracewood Village was commenced with the opening of the William Kennedy Court units at 10 Roebuck Drive in Salter Point. 
1977   Gracewood Hostel opened. 
1982   Leslie A. Watson Nursing Home opened at Gracewood Village. 
1984   The first of 31 independent living units were opened at Bethel in Albany in 1984 - Bethel Hostel was opened in 1995 and extended a few years later. 
1991   Took over Sunshine Park Hostel in Lesmurdie and subsequently added 6 self care units. Sunshine Park began its history in Cottesloe in 1961 when the CWA decided to convert Sunshine Holiday Home into a home for the elderly. After many renovations the old home was opened and renamed Sunshine Lodge. Then, as a result of a Crown Grant, Sunshine Park Hostel was officially opened in Lesmurdie.
1993   William Carey Court in Busselton opened with six independent living units and a 22 bed Hostel. Various additions have been made since, including a 17 bed dementia wing in 2003. 
1994   Gracehaven in Rockingham was opened with a 42 bed Hostel. This was further expanded in subsequent years. The first group of four independent living units was occupied in November 1996. 
1995   A 40 bed Nursing Home was added to the Gracehaven site in Rockingham. 
1996   Baptistcare moved in to the area of Home Care where support is provided to enable the aged to remain in their own home for as long as possible. This programme has extended significantly since the commencement of 15 Community Aged Care packages in Girrawheen, with packages now being offered through services at Girrawheen, Melville and Mandurah and the addition of Interim Care Packages, private services, and services to veterans through the Department of Veterans Affairs. 
1997   Baptistcare extended its vision to provide services for people with psychiatric disabilities. This involved the establishment of services in Geraldton and the Great Southern assisting people with psychiatric disabilities to continue to live in their own homes as part of the community. In addition to these services, Compass House in Geraldton provides emergency respite accommodation for people with a psychiatric disability who require interim supported accommodation and Baptistcare sub-leases a number of houses from Homeswest to people who meet the Homeswest criteria. 
1998   Baptistcare took over the operation of Croydon Hostel in Subiaco from the Disability Services Commission. This hostel caters for 12 long-term residents with an intellectual disability. 
2001   Another new aged care facility came under the wing of Baptistcare in July when Moonya Nursing Home and Hostel was acquired from Moonya Aged Services Inc. The Hostel was built in 1971 and the Nursing Home was built in 1996. 
2002   Baptistcare's Community Service arm took on a major expansion in July when Pathways Counselling Service along with the Community Visitors Scheme and Baptist Bargain Centre were transferred from the Community Services Department of the Baptist Churches of WA to become a part of Baptistcare. 
2003   Further expansion was made to Baptistcare's Disability programmes with the establishment of Disability Support Options, a programme providing support to people with disabilities in their own homes and the community. This later became known as Partners in Purpose and expanded with services in the metropolitan, Peel, Great Southern and South West regions.
2004   David Buttfield Centre opens in Gwelup. The David Buttfield centre was named after Mr David Buttfield who joined the Board of the WA Baptist Hospital and Homes Trust in June 1985 and became Chairman of the Board a year later. He held that position for 16 years until his death in 2002. 
2005   Bassendean Community Living opened. In a major development for Baptistcare the residents of Croydon Hostel moved to newer premises in Bassendean and the organisation took on responsibility for a further 20 residents in expanded accommodation opportunities for people with disabilities in the Bassendean area. 
2006   Bethel Hostel undergoes further extensions with the completion of a purposefully build dementia-specific facility called Harbour House. 
2006   Redevelopment of Gracewood Village commences. Due for completion early in 2008, the first stage of the development features 81 two and three bedroom apartment style homes. The project will eventually incorporate 137 independent living homes, a Community Centre and a 110 bed aging in place Residential Care Facility. For more information on Riverside Salter Point visit the website at www.riverside-salterpoint.com.au 
2007   Disability service Partners in Purpose expands deeper into the South West region with the opening of a new Bunbury office and the appointment of a new Care Coordinator for the area. 
2007   Home Care Services amalgamates offices at Mandurah and Salter Point to new premises in Rockingham. The program is also launched with the new name of Hand in Hand - enhancing independence in an ageing community. 
2007   The Shire of Brookton appoints Baptistcare to manage Kalkarni Residency. This 43 bed Ageing in Place facility has 32 High Care and 11 Low Care beds, with respite and dementia specific services available. 
2008   Acquisition of Yallambee Hostel in Mundaring. This site comprises a modern 40 bed Hostel and 53 retirement units. 
2008   Ken Ridge, Baptistcare's longest serving CEO of almost 20 years left in August and Dr Lucy Morris commenced in November. 
2009   Riverside West's Community Centre and Gracewood (100 high and low care Residential Aged Care Facility) opened in Salter Point. 
2009   David Buttfield Centre in Gwelup expands by a further 25 high care beds bringing the total number of beds to 105. 
2009   Acquisition of Aurum Catering and Dee Catering Logistics. Aurum Catering provides catering to all Baptistcare facilities as well as to other organisations. 
2010   Acquisition of four Silver chain aged care facilities: Annie Bryson McKeown Lodge (25 beds Low Care) and Gwen Hardie Lodge (58 beds Low Care/Dementia Specific) in Albany; Mirambeena Lodge (46 beds High & Low Care including Dementia) and Silver Vines Village independent living units (62 units). 
2010   Baptistcare's Bunbury holiday house opens for people with special needs.  The new holiday house is located across the dunes from the back beach at The Maidens.  It offers accessible holiday accommodation for people with disabilities and their families too. 
2010   Baptistcare launches a refreshed brand and logo and the Board approves the new Strategic Directions Framework and revised Mission, Vision and Values.