They may not know his name, but thousands of Queenslanders have benefitted from the vision, enthusiasm and proficiency of Peter Lamberth.
Peter recently retired after overseeing an unprecedented expansion of Carinity during his 16-year tenure as the organisation's Executive Manager of Business and Development.
Peter commenced his working career in banking 50 years ago, initially travelling around New South Wales converting branches from hand-written ledgers and mechanised accounts to computer-based systems.
He transitioned to working for church-based organisations in roles such as property and vehicle fleet management and procurement. He linked with Carinity, then known as Queensland Baptist Care, in 2009.
"The alignment of my personal faith with the values of Carinity was a match crafted in Heaven," Peter said.
"The skills and knowledge gained in my previous roles transferred seamlessly and allowed me to play my part in assisting Carinity advance from humble beginnings to where it is today - while paying particular respect to those before me."
Peter added that working for a church-based not-for-profit felt "a world away" from his background in the commercial sector which encompassed banking, finance, information technology, and legal administration.
"Whilst I had always given my all to whatever role I served, the not-for-profit sector attracts a very different person with heartfelt commitment to help those who would otherwise be vulnerable or doing it tough," he said.
"Seeing the lives of real people being improved and the flow-on impact that has for others surrounding them, is humbling. When stories emerge of those positive impacts, I've often managed a private smile knowing how many others were involved to realise the outcome."
Peter's impact at Carinity - and his vision to grow the number of people in need that we support - can be measured by the number of new services and properties around Queensland he developed.
Major infrastructure projects introduced under Peter's tenure included four new aged care sites, and the acquisition of two more. No fewer than seven Carinity aged care homes have been renovated.
Peter oversaw civil works for retirement village developments in Brisbane, Townsville and Ipswich, and steered the purchase of the building from which the Our House disability service in Toogoolawah operates from the Queensland Government.
He helped establish home care services statewide, and laid the groundwork for future Carinity services in Townsville, Bargara, Yeppoon, Maryborough and Gympie.
Peter also helped bring Inside Out Prison Chaplaincy under the Carinity banner and oversaw a comprehensive sustainability plan delivering substantial greenhouse gas savings.
Carinity's education services have also grown significantly under Peter's stewardship. Between 2016 and 2023, four school campuses in regional Queensland were acquired, renovated or constructed. Two existing schools were rebuilt or expanded.
Opening new educational opportunities for hundreds of young people who previously struggled in school is something that Peter particularly relished.
Adding significant buildings and infrastructure to Carinity Education sites, then seeing the students graduate - some as sole parents - wells up a peace and gratitude inside that is difficult to express to others," he said.
Peter also faced many challenges in his role, from staff turnover, to natural disasters and construction delays.
"Changes in stakeholders during a project and modifications to scopes of work - even during construction - has certainly been a complex pathway to navigate given our projects always operate under tight budgets," Peter explained.
The establishment of the Carinity Fairfield Grange integrated seniors' community in Townsville is an example of such challenges.
"Despite extensive research into all our suppliers, the builder of the project entered involuntary administration while the project was only 60% completed," Peter recalled.
"The tasks of locating an alternate builder to carry out the remaining works and damage restitution kept me particularly active during the days and awake for nights on end."
Sometimes it appeared Peter's labor output was a job done by two: those working in Carinity's head office in Brisbane often joked that his twin brother would sneak in after hours to share Peter's workload.
However, Peter insists that his faith - as well as strong working relationships with likeminded dedicated co-workers - fuelled his work ethic.
"During my working lifetime I've been told by others I have stood out due to my commitment, attitude, enthusiasm, and importantly, faith. However, in Carinity there are so many with those same attributes," Peter said.
"I'm only one of hundreds who combine time and talents for those we serve."
