Carinity has celebrated its 75th anniversary with an inspirational gathering of the Queensland Baptist community in Brisbane.
The event brought together Carinity service users and employees - one of whom has worked for Carinity for 38 years - as well as church and Queensland Baptists representatives and key stakeholders of the Baptist movement.
Also in attendance were several former service users whose lives have been transformed thanks to the support of Carinity.
This included a former resident of the Carinity Orana youth homelessness service, home care clients, a disability service user, and aged care and retirement village residents.
Descendants of donors of land on which a Baptist seniors community now sits, and relatives of Baptist campaigners who fought to establish Carinity's first aged care home, also attended the event at St Lucia Golf Club.
The genesis of Carinity was a meeting of concerned Christians interested in establishing a home for the aged, which was held at City Tabernacle Baptist Church in 1947.
After more than 3,500 pounds was raised through a public fundraising appeal led by Baptist churches, the Baptist Union purchased Farrington House. The first residents moved into the newly named Clifford House in August 1949.
Carinity CEO, Kevin Griffiths, said the organisation has evolved into a multi-faceted organisation supporting thousands of people in almost 20 cities and towns across Queensland.
"While our services may be different, our underlying reason for being stays consistent: it is about making a real difference to the lives of people and their communities," Kevin said.
"Our story is not just of those we serve, but also of those who choose to serve as part of Carinity. For 75 years we have been blessed by those who have gone before us, those who are with us now and I am confident those who will come after us."
Attendees at the 75-year function also watched videos with emotional testimonials from four people whose lives were changed thanks to Carinity, including a Carinity Education Southside school graduate and a former prisoner supported by Inside Out Prison Chaplaincy.
A number of other anniversary celebrations were held at Carinity sites around Queensland.
