Lutheran Services takes over Cooinda Aged Care Centre

The region’s most successful aged care centre has been run by a community board for the past 50 years, but that is all about to change.

Cooind Aged Care Centre in Gympie s changing ownership after more than 50 years of being run by a group of community-minded business people, with board chairman Paul medway saying this model was no longer sustaainable thanks to legislative changes.

The Cooinda Aged Care Centre is about to have a change of management with Lutheran Services taking over the celebrated centre after more than 50 years of it being run by a community board.

The news was revealed to stakeholders on Monday.

Cooinda board chairman Paul Medway said legislative changes and accreditation requirements made the centre’s traditional model of being administered by a committee of community-minded business people and retired professionals unsustainable.

The centre had been administered in this way since 1965.

“Ongoing industry legislative changes and the challenges these changes present requires a proven, committed, specialist organisation to administer,” Mr Medway said.

“The change of ownership will secure the future of the facility.”

The change of ownership was not by a traditional sale.

Lutheran Services was selected by the committee after expressions of interest were sought from a number of leading providers.

The Gympie centre has been run by the community board since 1965. PHOTO: DOMINIC GEIGER

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“The committee was very mindful of respecting the needs of our community,” Mr Medway said.

“Careful consideration was given to ensure the continued high standard of essential care and welfare for our residents, the ongoing employment for staff, and the long-term sustainability of our facility.”

Lutheran Services has been running in Queensland since 1935.

It is part of the Lutheran Church of Australia Queensland District, and for 30 years has been supporting residents at the Zion Retirement Village in O’Connell St.

Lutheran Services CEO Nick Ryan said the group was looking forward to maintaining the excellent care provided at Cooinda.

“Our missions and values closely align, so we expect to make the transition of ownership as seamless as possible for staff, suppliers, community and most importantly, the residents and families.”