Nundah aged care celebrates 25 years

Queensland’s Zion Lutheran Home will celebrate its 25^th anniversary celebrations today.

Federal Treasurer and Member for Lilley, Wayne Swan, is one of several high profile guests invited, but for organisers, the attendance of the many special folk who were instrumental in establishing the Nundah aged care home will hold equal significance.

Among that group of attendees will be Elsa Klatt, 86, Grace Friedrich, 96 and Doreen Schafer, 90, who each played a role in either raising funds for the original building project or supporting its establishment as members of the local Lutheran church congregation, St Paul’s.

Life has come full circle for the trio, who now call the aged care complex, on Union Street, home.

Mrs Schafer was a volunteer at the adjacent Zion Boutique Bargain Centre – established in 1986 to raise funds for the home through the sale of donated second hand goods – for 20 years.

Mrs Friedrich has been a member of the St Paul’s Lutheran Church congregation since 1959.

Ms Klatt’s connection to Zion’s establishment goes beyond her own supportive role – her late brother Norm Klatt was a driving force behind Zion’s foundation as one of the project’s first planning committee Chairs.

She said her brother would have been overjoyed at Zion’s ongoing success.

The aged care home has been the testing ground for several innovative projects in recent years including a digital storytelling program and reportedly a world first research trial by University of Queensland researchers that is transforming the way staff and residents interact and engage with each other.

A feasibility study for redeveloping the home and the surrounding Nundah Lutheran Precinct is also being planned.

“He (Norm) would be very happy to see that Zion has become everything he wanted it to be and would be excited about where it is going,’’ Ms Klatt said.

Zion general manager, Maria Mulheran, paid tribute to the three women and the many other volunteers who played such a vital role in establishing the home.

An initial 60 bed low care hostel was opened in 1988 followed by a nursing home extension in 1997. The service is now home to 100 residents.

“Zion Lutheran Home would not be what it is today without the sheer dedication and perseverance of the Lutheran congregational members in the north Brisbane zone,’’ Ms Mulheran said.

“None of what has been achieved and what is yet to be achieved would be possible without them.’’

Zion’s longest serving employee is enrolled nurse, Diana Sait, who began working at Zion in 1989 – one year after its opening.

A celebratory afternoon tea, attended by about 50 staff, volunteers, residents and family members will be held at Zion this afternoon.

A semi formal dinner will also be staged tonight, to be attended by about 50 invited guests including politicians, former Zion managers and Lutheran Community Care staff.