Community-run aged care provider chooses Lutheran Services to manage operations

Established in the mid 1980s, Cabanda Care provides residential aged care, retirement living and a range of in-home and community support services. With around 160 staff, Cabanda is the largest employer in Rosewood, providing highly valued services for the local community.

Earlier this year, the Cabanda Care Board sought expressions of interest from suitably qualified organisations to help their community-run organisation negotiate increasingly challenging health care and regulatory demands. They sought to strengthen their governance and ensure the future sustainability and prosperity of Cabanda, its care communities, people and support services.

Lutheran Services CEO Nick Ryan says the organisation was chosen following a thorough and independent review of potential partners, as undertaken by Cabanda Care.

“Part of the reason Lutheran Services was chosen is that our values and model of care are closely aligned with Cabanda Care. We’re also both steadfastly committed to the regions and communities we serve,” he said.

Part of the Lutheran Church of Australia Queensland District, Lutheran Services provides aged care and community services across more than 20 sites throughout regional and rural Queensland, employing around 2,200 people.

The majority of these services were traditionally built by Queensland Lutheran congregations over many decades, including Salem Aged Care in Toowoomba that recently celebrated its 90th anniversary. The vision and hard work of founding congregations were acknowledged at the Salem anniversary event, including St Paul’s Lutheran Church Toowoomba, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Toowoomba, Redeemer Lutheran Church Toowoomba and St John’s Lutheran Church Wilsonton.

This is the second time Lutheran Services has been selected by a community-owned and operated aged care service to transition ownership from a local management committee.

In 2021, the organisation was chosen as the new owners for Cooinda Aged Care in Gympie, 170km north of Brisbane. Cooinda today continues to thrive. Lutheran Services celebrated Cooinda’s 60th anniversary earlier this year with many of the previous management in attendance.

Lutheran Services sees the Cabanda ownership transition as a positive step forward for both organisations

“We are humbled and grateful for this opportunity. We will work hard and with great respect to continue the Cabanda legacy and tradition – seeking to maintain the high-quality and community-focused care of this much-loved service,” Nick said.

“Our commitment is that Cabanda will remain the same place that residents, families, staff and the Rosewood community know and love. Services and support will continue without disruption, with all Cabanda staff warmly welcomed to Lutheran Services,” he said.

Cabanda, 60km southwest of Brisbane, will officially transition ownership to Lutheran Services in early 2026, including the 71-bed residential aged care service, 52-unit retirement village, day respite facilities and community programs.