Anglicare Southern Queensland commemorated a significant milestone as they celebrated the 40th anniversary of the Abri Residential Aged Care home. The facility, established on June 19, 1983, hosted a special event on Friday, June 23, to mark the occasion. The Chief Operating Officer for Aged & Community Services, Nick Hansen, along with Gold Coast Division 6 Councillor Cr Brooke Patterson, Group Manager for Residential Aged Care and Retirement Villages Kate Hawkins, and Abri Facility Manager Kirandeep Kaur, led the celebrations, joined by numerous families, residents, and staff.
In a statement, Facility Manager Kirandeep Kaur recalled the dedicated fundraising committees comprising residents, families, friends, and staff who used to meet monthly. The committee organised raffles and sold tickets in local shopping centres, and a letter was even sent to the late Queen Elizabeth II, resulting in the thoughtful donation of a set of silver spoons to support the cause.
Over the past four decades, Abri has undergone substantial improvements, particularly benefiting residents with reduced mobility. Two lifts were installed, enhancing access to the upper and lower wings, not just for residents but also for emergency services. The addition of covered corridors provided a more comfortable living environment, and the air-conditioned resident rooms and main living areas brought much-needed relief from Queensland’s scorching heat.
Acknowledging the dedicated staff, Kate Hawkins, Anglicare Southern Queensland Group Manager for Residential Aged Care and Retirement Villages, expressed gratitude for their unwavering commitment to providing quality care to families’ loved ones daily. She praised the team’s efforts in ensuring the residents’ well-being always remains at the forefront of their care.
“We are very proud to reach this significant milestone,” said Ms Hawkins. “This achievement would not have been possible without the hard work and dedication of our team here at Abri. I extend my heartfelt appreciation to every one of our valuable team members for their tireless efforts every day.”
Ms Hawkins also thanked the residents and families for making Abri a true home and shared her commitment to striving for excellence in meeting their needs.
The celebration brought together a sense of gratitude and pride for the past 40 years of exceptional service at Abri Residential Aged Care Home.
