Celebrating 75 years of Carinity
It is said that from small beginnings, big things grow.
The genesis of Carinity was a meeting at City Tabernacle Baptist Church in Brisbane City on 15 March 1947, attended by a group of people interested in establishing a Christian home for the aged.
Church care homes for the elderly were “filled to overflowing, and had long waiting lists.” In an attempt to remedy the dire situation, a petition signed by Reverend George Haughan and 29 other signatories was presented to the Baptist Union of Queensland.
An accompanying letter outlined the plight of older Baptists living in Brisbane and a vision to “relieve what we believe to a be a most desperate condition of things”.
“The position at the present is so pathetically desperate, by many old people who have faithfully served our Churches during their life time, being faced only with having to go into the State Institution at Sandgate.
“We, having no institution of this kind, these old people have applied for admission into the Homes of other bodies, only to be told that their waiting lists are so great that they refuse to consider any application whatsoever.
“There are a number of members of our Baptist Denomination who are deeply concerned about the welfare of the aged and infirm members of our Denomination and who desire to contribute to a Home for Aged People.”
The Baptist Union of Queensland executive stated that this new ministry could not proceed “until 1,000 pounds was in hand.”
Baptist churches across Queensland led a public fundraising appeal which saw 5,000 leaflets distributed and 200 moneyboxes placed statewide for the collection of coins and cash.
After more than 3,500 pounds was raised, the Baptist Union purchased Farrington House at Alderley. The Baptist campaigners’ vision for a Christian home for the aged was realised on 15 August 1949 when the first three residents moved into the newly named Clifford House.
Seventy-five years later, Carinity is a multi-faceted organisation with almost 1,800 employees supporting thousands of people in almost 20 cities and towns across Queensland.
As well as caring for the frail aged, Carinity supports seniors in their home, families and young people facing challenges, and people living with disability.
We also operate lifestyle villages for retirees, offer support through chaplaincy, and provide alternative education for our youth.
