Carinity has celebrated 50 years of caring for seniors in the inner north Brisbane suburb of Kelvin Grove.
Sunsetholme aged care - now known as Hilltop - was taken over by Carinity in February 1976. The anniversary of the occasion was marked by a gathering of residents, family members and staff.
It was the first existing aged care home to transfer control to Carinity and became the organisation's third seniors' community, joining Clifford House (established in 1949) and Brookfield Green (established in 1972 as Resthaven).
The first aged persons home on the Hilltop site opened in 1923, under the auspice of Queensland Council of Churches.
It was previously the Brisbane Industrial Home, a rescue home for young women and girls which operated on the site from 1887 until 1922.
Construction of the current Hilltop aged care building started in 1977. Built at a cost $950,000, it welcomed its first residents in 1978.
A dozen independent living units were built in 1983 to complement the aged care centre, at a cost of $538,500.
Sunsetholme was renamed Hilltop Gardens and later changed to Carinity Hilltop. It is the Carinity seniors' home which is located closest to the Brisbane CBD.
The 50-year celebration of Carinity Hilltop was a well-attended event, with most of the aged care home's residents joining the festivities.
One of the longest residing residents, Marjorie Blankley, has lived at Carinity Hilltop for 11 years. She cut a special anniversary cake with long-serving staff members, Ozelle Hutley, Janelle Steer and Ramandeep Gill.
Carinity CEO, Kevin Griffiths, was also in attendance at the celebration. Addressing the audience, he said Hilltop is "a powerful example of Carinity's broader mission".
"That mission began over 75 years ago with a simple but courageous idea: that vulnerable people deserve care grounded in compassion, respect and firmly anchored in Christian love," Kevin said.
"That mission continues today, not just through buildings or services, but through the everyday acts of kindness that happen within these walls.
"To everyone who has been a part of Hilltop's journey - residents, families, staff, volunteers and supporters - thank you. I pray that the years ahead be filled with contend purpose, compassion and care."
