From Steve's desk

This milestone edition of Montage celebrates our 140-year anniversary and showcases our story through the decades. It recognises the many people just like each of you, who’ve helped to shape our unique organisation – then and now. 

Since our early beginnings in 1885 to present day, we’ve been there at defining moments in Australian history – responding and adapting to the changing needs of our communities.

AND 2025 so far, has been no exception to this.

On the weather front we’ve seen extremes ranging from floods in Far North Queensland, to heatwaves and bushfires in southern and western states, to ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred hitting South East Queensland and Northern New South Wales. While we are no strangers to dealing with events like this, the impact of Alfred was particularly widespread taking in 27 Bolton Clarke residential care homes, 20 retirement villages and 2,600+ clients from Hervey Bay to Port Macquarie.

As usual your response to all these events was MAGNIFICENT – keeping the ongoing care, wellbeing and safety of clients and residents top of mind throughout.

It’s been a busy start to the year across our operations too. Notable has been continued record occupancy in residential care homes and retirement villages and expansion of services in home and community support to deliver mobile respite services in New South Wales, along with a huge effort underway by the team to prepare for the new Support at Home program later this year.

In this issue of Montage, you can read more about the people and events that have shaped us through nearly a century and a half of remarkable achievements. Take a look through the archives at some of the defining modes of transport, equipment and wardrobe that have helped us serve clients and residents through the years. You can also find out about a new innovative program that is strengthening home and community support services in our retirement villages, some great international award recognition, and important work the Research Institute is leading to help residents and clients with hearing and vision loss.

Thank you for continuing to make a positive difference to the lives of residents and clients. The work we do is all about the people and I think we’ve got some of the best.  

Steve