First Nations aged care facilities in the Gulf re-established to provide better cultural care

A Queensland provider has re-established various First Nations aged care facilities in Queensland’s Gulf region, with their ‘culturally attuned’ approach allowing Indigenous Elders remain better connected to community and country.

Melissa Forman, Regional Manager of Kukatja Place aged care in Normanton, with resident and Garawa man Geoff Butcher. Picture: Supplied

A Queensland provider has re-established various First Nations aged care facilities in the Gulf region, with their “culturally attuned” approach allowing elders to remain better connected to community and country.

Queensland-based not-for-profit Selectability took over management of three residential care facilities in September 2023, upgrading and re-staffing services in Normanton, Mornington Island and Doomadgee.

A spokeswoman for Ageing Australia, a national body for aged care service providers, said the region’s previous aged care facilities had “repeatedly failed to take hold for First Nation communities,” and were plagued by low occupancy and high provider turnover.

Selectability, she said, instead focused on providing “culturally attuned care” for elders so they could remain connected to community and country as they aged.

“We didn’t come in with answers, we came in with questions,” Selectability’s chief executive Debra Burden said.

“We asked councils, residents, and families — what would a good home look like here?”

Regional manager of the Normanton facility, Melissa Forman, said Selectability’s facilities had been received positively and were creating a “buzz” in the region.

Inside the Kukatja Aged Care facility in Normanton. Picture: Supplied

“The elders here have felt pushed aside for so long,” Ms Forman said.

“There’s a real buzz here now. The community sees what’s going on and they’re excited. It’s not just the (aged care) facility — it’s that broader sense that something solid is being built here.”

Garawa man Geoff Butcher was born in Normanton but had spent years living away in regional Victoria.

When he was told about Normanton’s facility, Kukatja Place, he said he didn’t hesitate to return.

“When they said Normanton, I said ‘oh, I will go back home’,” Mr Butcher said.

“Out here, it’s fresh air, I go down to the river and see the crocs. The staff are pretty cool and I get my three meals a day. I see myself staying a while longer, it’s great.”

Ageing Australia said 13 of 15 beds were occupied at the Kuba Natha Hostel in Mornington, 12 of 15 beds at Kukatja Place in Normanton, and seven of 10 beds at Doomadgee’s Ngooderi House.

“It takes deep commitment to deliver care to rural and remote communities,” Ageing Australia chief executive Tom Symondson said.

“Selectability has not only stepped up to the plate in a time of urgent need, but they’re delivering quality care that places local needs and people at the heart.”

Originally published as First Nations aged care facilities in the Gulf re-established to provide better cultural care