2 December 2025

Celebrating 90 years

Ninety years ago, Toowoomba Lutheran congregations came together with one hope. To create a place of peace and care for older people in the local community.

That place became Salem.

On 1 December, residents, families, staff, congregations and friends gathered to honour those beginnings and celebrate Salem’s remarkable 90-year legacy.

A highlight of the morning was the unveiling of the Salem Origin Story, a tribute to the founding congregations and to the generations of staff and residents who have shaped this home.

Discover the story here.

We were honoured to welcome Lutheran Church of Australia Queensland District Bishop Dr Mark Vainikka, Council for Lutheran Services Member Cheryl Steinhardt, Toowoomba Regional Council Mayor Geoff McDonald, Deputy Mayor Melissa Taylor and Councillors Tim McMahon, Carol Taylor, Rebecca Vonhoff, Kerry Shine, Megan O’Hara Sullivan and Trevor Manteufel.

A heartfelt thank you to our Salem Origin Storytellers, especially our guests from St John’s Lutheran Church Wilsonton, St Paul’s Lutheran Church, Redeemer Lutheran Church Toowoomba and Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Toowoomba.

And to our wonderful Salem team – thank you for the kindness, commitment and sense of home you bring to our residents every day.

Here’s to 90 years of care – and many more to come.