A name and a change in ownership can’t erase the hard work and foresight of everyday residents who were there when Cabanda Care in Rosewood was built in the late 1970s.
Back then, residents’ decided the town needed an old age home care facility with a difference.
Yes, there were places older folk could move into, but they wanted somewhere more like home.
Fast forward to 2026 and the home has transitioned and is now run by Lutheran Services, but none of that would’ve happened had it not been for the hard work of locals.
Joyce Rieck is a long time Rosewood resident who said she was surprised by how few people knew Cabanda’s backstory.
Before its establishment, anyone who needed residential aged care had to leave the community and move to Laidley or Ipswich.
Rosewood in the 1970s was also very different to today.
Joyce recalled the strong local focus that led residents to support a Rosewood aged care facility.
“When I’m talking about Rosewood, I mean the Rosewood district, including Grandchester, Marburg, Walloon, Mt Walker and Ebenezer,” she said.
“The Chamber of Commerce was also active and in 1978 held a public meeting.”
A steering committee was formed and then the Rosewood Aged Peoples’ Home Committee was established as a trusteeship. A bank account was opened with a deposit of $18.
Joyce said the bank refused the committee’s request for a loan to buy the site, a four acre block just south of Johnston Park. But a deal was struck with the seller for $21,000, payable over two years.
“The fundraising began, there were door knocks, raffles, bingo games and some donations came in,” she said.
“A sub-committee was formed to plan and build the hostel. The estimated cost was $250,000.
“Rosewood has always been a working class community. How could it even dream of raising that amount of money?
“But they did. They were that determined to make their vision a reality.”
By September 20, 1987, the first residents moved in and on October 17, the facility was officially opened.
Rosewood Aged Peoples Home was changed to Cabanda Care in May 1990.
The establishment is more than just a retirement home, it is a place built by the community for the community.
Now it’s transitioned, the new owners want the community to know it is still Rosewood’s own.
The Cabanda name, heritage and connection to Rosewood will remain.
