Aged care push started with $10 and a dream

Thelma passed around the hat. It was the start of something big

Carramar history

THELMA was heavily involved in the community and because of this was able to foresee that many retirees were suddenly becoming in need of care with no family close by to provide them with help.

The idea for an aged care home was met with enormous enthusiasm and a surprising number of attendees at the first official committee meeting, held in Tewantin.

At the closing of the meeting Ian MacDonald borrowed a hat and tossed in $10.00, challenging all those present to donate.

Carramar history

This was the very first monies raised but of course, this was only the beginning. With the hard work, dedication and generosity shown by the Noosa Community monies raised in the first 12 months were able to go towards the initial planning stages, legal matters and site selection.

Harry Davis, the owner of a large parcel of land situated near the Tewantin Golf Course, sold to the Noosa Council for the sole purpose that it would be developed specifically for Aged Care.

This land was then donated from the Noosa Council to the committee with all necessary documentation of ownership.

Carramar history

Very near to the boundary of this land there stood a rather magnificent Mango tree, in order to eliminate the stigma attached to "A Home for the Aged” The name Carramar- (an aboriginal word meaning "in the shade of the tree”) was chosen for the facility.

An image of the Mango tree makes up the logo which is still used to this day.

Over the years many fundraisers, lamington drives, wishing wells, luncheons, craft and street stalls were held with outstanding success and community support. Generous donations from service clubs, private donors and the Carramar Op Shop also vastly contributed to the first stages of Carramar and in 1984 the first lodge was built.

Many of the initial committee members joined the Board of Carramar and what started as a dream 10 years earlier was finally coming to fruition.

Carramar history

Since then some of these Board Members and their family members became residents of the home they had worked so hard to create.

In 2006 Carramar amalgamated with Kabara- (Kabara-an aboriginal word meaning 'a place to rest') to create the current NoosaCare Inc banner.

Since this time NoosaCare Inc has continued to expand to accommodate the growing demand from the community.

Today NoosaCare Inc is proud to be a Community Owned, Not for Profit organisation that continues to value and understand the importance of fair access to high quality aged and dementia care services. NoosaCare Inc has grown with the Community and is now home to 227 residents, employs 350 staff across both sites and always engages local suppliers and contractors wherever possible.

If you would like to become a NoosaCare Member and keep up to date with changes and volunteering opportunities or if you wish to donate please contact Carramar.