Queensland-based aged care and community service provider Carinity is celebrating its 75th anniversary, marking a significant milestone since its founding in 1947. Established through the vision of a small group of Brisbane Christians seeking to create a home for the elderly, Carinity has grown to support thousands across the state through aged care, disability services, youth support, and education.
Carinity’s journey began when a group of concerned members at Brisbane’s City Tabernacle Baptist Church presented a petition with 30 signatures to the Baptist Union of Queensland, highlighting the lack of sufficient care for older Baptists in local aged care facilities. Their call to action inspired a public fundraising drive, with Baptist churches raising over 3,500 pounds. This enabled the purchase of Farrington House in Alderley, Brisbane, which opened as Clifford House, the organisation’s first aged care facility, in 1949.
An early photograph of residents and staff of the original Clifford House at Alderley in Brisbane, Carinity’s first aged care home.
From this single facility, Carinity has expanded significantly, now operating 11 aged care communities, home care services, and retirement villages throughout Queensland. Beyond aged care, the organisation supports young people facing hardships, families in crisis, and individuals living with disabilities. Carinity also provides alternative education for at-risk youth and chaplaincy support across various communities.
“Our story is built on the contributions of those who came before us, those with us now, and those who will carry our mission forward into the future.”
Carinity CEO Kevin Griffiths
To commemorate the 75th anniversary, Carinity hosted an inspirational event in Brisbane, attended by service users, employees, church representatives, and Queensland Baptist leaders. The gathering included touching stories from individuals whose lives were transformed by Carinity’s support: a former homeless youth who found refuge at Carinity Orana, a graduate from a Carinity Education school, and a former prisoner supported by the Inside Out Prison Chaplaincy.
Attendees also included descendants of early donors who gifted the land where Carinity’s Brookfield Green seniors’ community now stands and relatives of advocates who spearheaded the establishment of Clifford House.
Reflecting on the milestone, Carinity CEO Kevin Griffiths noted the organisation’s ongoing commitment to serving Queenslanders. “While our services may have evolved over the years, our mission remains the same: making a real difference in people’s lives and in our communities,” Griffiths said.
With 75 years of service, Carinity continues to be a vital support system for Queenslanders, enriching lives and communities across the state.
