6 November 2026

Honouring our beginnings, shaping our future: Origin Stories

Behind every Lutheran Services site is a story. A story of people who saw a need, came together and worked to make a difference in their community. 

On Sunday 1 November, Lutheran Services gathered with residents, congregation members, families, volunteers and community members in Gympie to hear the stories behind Zion Gympie Retirement Village and Cooinda Aged Care. 

The two storytelling gatherings marked the beginning of the Origin Stories journey for both services, a shared project between Lutheran Services and the Lutheran Church of Australia Queensland District to explore, document and preserve the histories behind our services. 

The gatherings brought people together to share memories, reconnect and help identify the people and experiences that deserve to be remembered. From here we will continue the conversations through individual interviews and historical research, bringing these memories together into written Origin Stories. 

Two services, two remarkable beginnings 

Zion Gympie Retirement Village began with a vision from the local Lutheran congregation to care for people in their community. 

From the first units opening in 1990 to the village that stands today, the congregation’s commitment was evident in stories of fundraising, hands-on work, financial sacrifice and faith. 

As one congregation member reflected: 

“I still see this village as our village. People’s heart and soul built this.” 

Across town, Cooinda’s story began with the wider Gympie community. A local committee formed in 1962, and through community fundraising and determination, Cooinda opened in December 1965. 

Over the decades, local organisations, volunteers, families and team members have continued to contribute to its growth and the lives of those who call it home. 

Reflecting on that collective effort, a long-serving Ladies Auxiliary member shared: 

“When we look around, I think, ‘Wow, we built this.’” 

Making space for the whole story 

The gatherings were an opportunity to share memories of the early years, friendships, celebrations and the people whose contributions should never be forgotten. 

They also made space for the difficult chapters, including challenges, change and experiences that shaped people’s relationships with these services. 

While the gatherings were an opportunity to honour the past, some of the most positively received conversations were about the future. 

Participants were invited to share their hopes for Zion Gympie Retirement Village and Cooinda Aged Care, reflecting on what they wanted to see continue and how relationships could grow. 

It was a reminder that Origin Stories is about more than preserving history. It’s also about creating space to listen, acknowledge the journey so far and look towards the future together. 

From shared memories to a lasting story 

Over the coming months, we will meet with contributors, conduct interviews and explore historical records to piece together the stories of Zion Gympie Retirement Village and Cooinda Aged Care. 

Working closely with the communities, these memories will be developed into published Origin Stories that capture each service’s beginnings, the people who shaped them and the journey that followed. 

The finished stories will be shared in printed books and online, helping preserve this history for residents, families, future generations and the wider community. 

And when the books are ready, we look forward to returning to the communities to share and celebrate their stories together. 

In the meantime, explore the Origin Stories we’ve already brought to life across Lutheran Services.