History
A Proud History
PresCare is a Ministry of the Presbyterian Church of Queensland. We’ve been helping older Australians live the way they choose since 1929.
Some of our important milestones:
1837
On 22 December Minerva McArthur was born at sea on passage to New South Wales. Two days later she was baptised by Rev. Christopher Eipper, the first recorded action in the name of the Presbyterian Church in northern New South Wales (now Queensland).
1911
Reverend John Flynn, a Presbyterian clergyman, took up his first appointment at Beltana Mission in the north of South Australia. He went on to organise the lease of an aircraft from the newly formed ‘Q.A.N.T.A.S.’ and the beginnings of the ‘Flying Doctor’ service was formed.
1929
Mr William Robert Black donated two homes to the Presbyterian Church of Queensland for use in the care of the elderly. The homes were named after two Governor-Generals and distinguished ‘sons’ of the Presbyterian Church: Hopetoun in Chelmer and Stonehaven in Oxley, giving rise to the Ministry of the Presbyterian Church in aged care.
1952
The first independent living cottages at Hopetoun are constructed.
1966
High care area and community hall developed at Hopetoun.
1980
Low care area developed at Hopetoun.
1983
Roslyn Lodge, Mt Tamborine, built on donated land.
1984
Roslyn Lodge in Mt Tamborine opens.
1985
Groundwater Lodge and Morrison Park (Rockhampton) residential care homes are completed.
1996
Munro Home, Rockhampton, purchased.
1998
Presbyterian Church of Queensland establishes a new organisation known as “PresCare” to take over operations of facilities run by the Church’s Department of Social Mission.
1999
PresCare Board is established and the organisation undergoes re-structure with a new management team.
2000
Community Aged Care Packages are allocated to PresCare leading to the establishment of our In-Home Community Care Services.
2002
Munro Home, Rockhampton, sold with beds transferred to Morrison Park. Expanded to offer nursing home, hostel and independent-living cottages, and re-named Alexandra Gardens.
2004
Dementia Unit built at Maryborough.
2005
Community services commences in the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Pine Rivers, Wide Bay and Redlands.
2008
Major development of aged care facility at Carina commences.
PresCare takes over control and ownership of Lake Sherrin, Thornlands.
2009
Carina aged care facility, named Vela, opens.
2010
PresCare moves its new corporate headquarters to Milton, Brisbane.
2011
Community services commences in Cairns.
2012
PresCare Hopetoun, Corinda, closes for re-development.
PresCare establishes Contented Chef, a catering services business supplying ‘cooked chill’ and ‘cooked frozen’ meals to retirement villages, and opens a purpose built facility in Lytton, Brisbane.
2013
PresCare takes over control and ownership of Yaralla Place, Maryborough.
60 NRAS units constructed at Groundwater Lodge and Alexandra Gardens.
2014
PresCare purchases Surecom, an IT company specialising in aged care, nurse call and business telephony systems.
Construction begins on PresCare’s premium residential living complex, Kingsford Terrace, in the Brisbane suburb of Chelmer.
2015
July 1 sees PresCare establish the PresCare Group, to create and acquire businesses strategically aligned to its core mission.
Land in Townsville purchased to construct a 140-bed nursing facility
The PresCare Group acquires national mobility and lifestyle aids provider, Walk on Wheels.
2016
In April, opens Fulton Place Day & Overnight Centre in Cairns.
In July, Alexandra Gardens innovative Sub-acute Care Program receives national recognition, winning the Hesta Team Innovation award.
In August, PresCare sells Kingsford Terrace to focus on and expand its core mission of providing high quality aged care throughout Queensland.
In August, to support its in-home community care services, PresCare Group acquires Adapt Health Care, specialists in injury and illness rehabilitation.
In October, Inala Place Day Centre & Overnight Respite and Sherwood Place Day Centre is acquired in Brisbane.
2017
Following transformation of the Australian Aged Care sector, PresCare continues to evolve to meet the changing needs of the sector, re-positioning its brand to recognise the importance of people remaining independent no matter how old they are, and launches its first TV campaign across Qld.
In December, construction begins at PresCare’s new residential facility in Townsville – now named Protea by PresCare.
2018
In September, Inala Place facility is upgraded thanks to funds obtained through the Stronger Communities Grant Programme.
2019
PresCare celebrates its 90th birthday.
In March, Protea by PresCare in Townsville opens.
