Tabeel

Realising Pastor Eckert’s vision demanded the dedication and hard work of many. The Laidley Lutheran congregation and community, and many other local congregations and communities, rallied their troops to raise funds and build the dream. A development committee was formed.

To support the endeavour and administer fundraising efforts, the Queensland Lutheran Aid Society was established with Pastor Eckert as Chairman. In his words, the chief aim of the society was “To engage in benevolent work, especially in the establishment of a Lutheran home for the aged. The need for such a home is apparent.”

The society was registered under the Religious, Educational and Charitable Institutions Act. The growing funds were deposited with the Lutheran Laymen’s League (now known as the Lutheran Laypeople’s League).

In July 1954, a 1.5 acre property in Ambrose Street was purchased for “a very reasonable” £4,850. The 2,600 square feet stucco house boasted a tiled roof, electric stove, two hot water systems, floor and window coverings, two garages and poultry houses. It even came with a motor mower!

The purchase was made possible with funds raised plus a loan from a Toowoomba local named Charlie Free. The development committee, congregation and community formed working bees and set about furnishing, outfitting and readying the Laidley old folks’ home. The Women’s Guilds of many local congregations – including Ipswich, Toowoomba, Gatton and Marburg – lent great support. Many donations of goods and cash were received, including £157 to purchase a refrigerator. A wireless and licence were obtained.

The Lutheran Rest Home in Laidley welcomed its first resident on 1 August 1954. (It would be another 25 years before “Tabeel” was added to the name.) The home was officially opened by Pastor FW Noack – President of the then Evangelical Lutheran Church of Australia – on 5 September 1954. Some 500 people attended the opening and dedication.

The role of Matron was initially filled by Mrs Eckert, until the arrival of Matron Hineby. However, Matron Hineby’s tenure was brief and Mrs Eckert again stepped in to fill the role. Matron Eckert remained in the role from 1954 to 1966. Gardener and later resident Bill Metzroth recalled Matron Eckert’s day would typically start at 5 am with “a cup of tea and Marmite sandwich for all”. She would spend most nights at the home, helping with nursing, cooking and laundry as required.

Volunteers from many congregations helped Matron Eckert and her few staff with the enormous workload. Pastor Eckert filled the roles of Chaplain and Superintendent. Residents helped in the garden and kitchen where they could. A citrus orchard was planted. The home was self-sufficient in vegetables, eggs and poultry.

Verandahs were enclosed to create more room for accommodation and dining. A garage was renovated to provide temporary accommodation for men. New kitchen and laundry equipment was purchased. A new poultry shed was built. Members of the Laidley congregation raised £80 for a sign and entrance gates.

Many Women’s Guilds regularly visited the home, providing companionship and entertainment, helping with chores and fundraising, sharing useful items and delightful gifts with the residents. The Queensland Lutheran Women’s League donated a piano and provided funding for a television and two wireless radios.

To promote the Lutheran Rest Home in Laidley, regular meetings of the Queensland Lutheran Aid Society were conducted in church halls and community buildings throughout the broader region. Advertisements were placed in Lutheran journals and local newspapers.

Continuing to outfit, operate and maintain the Laidley Lutheran Rest Home for a growing number of residents would pose a constant challenge in funding and resourcing. This would be met by the dedicated congregation and community, an impressively large number of volunteers and a remarkably small number of staff.

A period of rapid development and expansion followed as the home evolved to deliver its vision and meet growing demand.

In 1956, plans were developed to extend the home to better accommodate and support residents and staff with two eight-room hostels, a cottage and extensions to the kitchen and dining room. These were completed in 1957 with funding from the State and Commonwealth Governments, Queensland Lutheran Aid Society and Lutheran Laymen’s League.

In 1958, an adjoining property comprising two houses and an outbuilding was purchased with funds from the Commonwealth, the Queensland Lutheran Aid Society and Lutheran Laymen’s League. These were adapted to create 11 single rooms, an office and a flat for the Matron.

In the early 1960s plans were developed to construct three double cottages, a six room dormitory, a flat for staff, offices, a dedicated infirmary or nursing home, and expansion of the dining room and recreation room. A surprising challenge arose when two residents announced their plans to marry! After much discussion, arrangements were made to accommodate the newlyweds. Dedicated accommodation for married couples would be part of future plans.

Matron Eckert retired in 1966. Pastor Eckert retired from his roles as Chaplain and Superintendent the following year. The role of Matron was filled by Mrs Rowland. Pastor Wilhelm Wandel was appointed Chaplain. An Executive Council and Executive Committee were formed to govern the ongoing operation of the home. Pastor and Mrs Eckert received an Honour of Gratitude from the newly formed Executive Committee for their many years of dedicated service.

The ongoing operation, maintenance and development of Tabeel was guided and driven by the dedicated committee, congregation and community, a small staff and vast volunteer network. Members of the Auxiliary and Household Committees were energetic fundraisers and helpers, holding street stalls, catering for functions, sewing curtains, sharing Christmas gifts and conducting working bees around the home and grounds.

The home was regularly visited by various Lutheran Ladies’ Guilds and other church, community and youth groups. What began as an afternoon tea with the residents grew into a garden party or fete. This event would gain strong momentum and a considerable following over the years, engaging the community and raising valuable funds for the home.

Although Pastor Eckert had previously frowned on fundraising appeals and other such “get rich quick schemes”, an annual doorknock appeal became an important fundraising event that was well supported by the local community.

More entrepreneurial initiatives such as street stalls, catering, concerts and dinner dances raised vital funds and were enthusiastically supported by the local community – strengthening the coffers and community connections.

In the 1970s, plans commenced to build a nursing wing, “intensive care infirmary” and further hostel accommodation, which would attract both State and Commonwealth funding. Pastor and Mrs Eckert were invited to perform the opening ceremony. The dedication plaque paid tribute to them in the foundation of the home.

The nursing section quickly filled and gained a growing waiting list. The next priority was to expand the capacity and capability. Plans were approved to convert the main building into a temporary nursing home. A new master plan was progressed to guide the development of a dedicated home with accommodation for more than 30 residents.

Construction of the new nursing home commenced in 1978. With a combination of single rooms and three- to four-bed wards, the new nursing home accommodated a total of 33 residents. Of great importance to the residential community, these plans were expanded to also include a chapel.

The Executive Committee recommended changing the name of the Laidley Lutheran Rest Home to reflect its growing capability. The name proposed by the committee and approved by the District Church Council was “Tabeel” – a Hebrew name meaning “God is good”.

The new nursing home opened in 1979. To coincide with the opening of the expanded home, the name became “Tabeel Lutheran Home Laidley”. By 1980, Tabeel consisted of the original Ambrose Street house and several former army huts joined by the new nursing home.

“Tabeel Talk” – a newsletter for the Tabeel resident, staff, family, congregation and community network – first rolled off the press in the early 1980s and continues to this day.

In the 1980s, health care personnel and services were expanded to include a dedicated occupational therapist, physiotherapist and podiatrist team. A new day care centre opened to extend such services to the broader community. These specially trained therapists came to play an important role in the daily lives of residents, improving mobility, independence, health and wellbeing. This innovative new offering further distinguished Tabeel among aged care providers in the region.

Sister Shirley Klinge commenced as Director of Nursing in 1985, spearheading a major evolution in the professional quality and standards of the home. The senior sister brought with her more than 20 years of experience in nursing. The much-loved and admired “Mrs Klinge – don’t call me Matron!” would remain in the role for 10 years and have a major impact on Tabeel and all who worked with her.

Formalised staff training was introduced, with regular lectures on resident care, health and safety. These were initially delivered by the newly appointed Director of Nursing and guest presenters. Deputy Director of Nursing Nola Nolan was ultimately appointed to the full-time role of training and development.

Extensive refurbishments were completed, the nursing home was upgraded and pergolas were added to the grounds. With growing capacity and capabilities, the increasingly busy Tabeel needed a new building. A disused church hall in nearby Hatton Vale provided an ideal solution. The building was relocated, renovated, reopened and dedicated to a welcome reception at Tabeel in 1986.

A major redevelopment of the Tabeel hostel was undertaken in the late 1980s and early 1990s, aided by a Commonwealth capital funding program. The old army huts were removed to make way for the new 42-bed hostel. A resident meeting was held to name the wings of the new hostel. With a nod to the former A, B, C and D Block army huts that had served Tabeel so well, the new wings were named Alonga (as in “linga longa”), Bunya (for the nearby range and endemic tree), Currawong (for the very vocal local bird) and Daralee (from Darrell Lea confectionery).

State Government support was secured to build five independent living units. A dementia program commenced in the late 1980s and a dedicated unit opened in the early 1990s. By this time, Tabeel accommodated 40 hostel residents and 34 nursing home residents. It also comprised six independent living units, two respite care beds and three non-government-funded hostel rooms for the use of resident family members.

Roland Weier commenced as General Manager in the early 1990s and would remain in the role for 23 years. As you can read in the fond recollections of his many colleagues and friends, Roland would implement many improvements that remain central to Tabeel to this day.

In the late 1990s, seven serviced apartments were opened, while major upgrades of the nursing home and chapel were completed. Additional land in Coates Street was acquired for the development of a retirement village.

By this time, Tabeel enjoyed the support of more than 50 regular volunteers. They came from all walks of life, ranged in age from 12 to 85, and contributed more than 1,000 hours of service per month.
A formalised volunteer program was established in the late 1990s, extending training and development opportunities and other benefits to Tabeel’s loyal unpaid supporters, including participation in all Tabeel social functions and events.

In 2000, building on a longstanding tradition of holistic care, Tabeel implemented the Eden Program – a model of care emphasising connection, engagement, individuality, purpose, variety, growth and joy. The Eden initiative formalised many typically Tabeel traditions, such as plants and gardening, pets and animal companionship, and regular visits from preschool children and play groups.

By the early 2000s, Tabeel comprised a 34-bed nursing home, 42-bed hostel, seven serviced apartments and eight independent living units. Tabeel’s signature gardens had made the home a regular recipient of garden awards and prizes.

Construction of the retirement village in Coates Street commenced in 2004. Stage 1 opened in 2006 with 12 independent living units. The Tabeel Retirement Village was the first community of its kind in the Lockyer Valley. Further stages were completed over the coming years, trebling the number of units.

In the 2010s, Tabeel residents and staff dressed up, played up and had a ton of fun creating an annual fancy dress calendar. The production engaged a local photographer, while staff, family and friends assisted with makeup and wardrobe to help bring the vision to life. Local businesses, attractions and landmarks provided the locations. The hilarious calendars attracted an enthusiastic following and sold hundreds of copies, putting smiles on faces and raising valuable funds and awareness for Tabeel.

In 2017, a church hall was relocated from Hopeland near Chinchilla on the Western Downs, renovated and given new life at Tabeel. Originally built in the 1950s by the Hopeland Church of Christ (which combined with Chinchilla in 1990s), the hall travelled more than 200 km and underwent something of an extreme makeover at its new home in Laidley. Today, Tabeel’s Hopeland Hall as it’s fondly known provides a wonderful and accessible gathering place, function space and leisure centre for the retirement living community. The hall is also available for hire by the local community.

More recently, Tabeel’s Bloomers Café was a finalist in the HESTA Excellence Awards, which recognise extraordinary work across aged care, allied health, community services and disability services, Australia-wide. Bloomers Café was conceived to bring together Tabeel staff and resident families over morning tea to share knowledge and experiences of difficult topics, such as enduring power of attorney, death and dying. Tabeel has also been recognised at the Lockyer Valley Regional Council Business, Training and Apprenticeship Awards.

In 2022, several Tabeel residents took to the stage at the Queensland Performing Arts Centre as part of “If Only I Could” – an intergenerational dance performance that put our aged care residents on stage with professional dancers. The Tabeel troupe performed to more than 600 people over three performances at QPAC, drawing tears and standing ovations from their audiences.

If Only I Could is the product of the Lutheran Services creative programs team and Director Angela Chaplin. Since it began in 2017, it has taken the stage at several of our aged care communities, involving around 150 residents and performing to the thunderous applause of hundreds of people, including public performances at the Judith Wright Arts Centre in 2018 and Laidley Cultural Centre in 2021. Tabeel residents and staff have been central to the project since its inception.

As Tabeel resident and If Only I Could participant Kevin Mischke summed it up, “When I was young, I was told not to dance because it led to further evils. Now I’m 90, I’m past all the further evils, so now I can I dance!”

In the late 1990s, increasingly complex funding and regulation requirements saw the Lutheran Church of Australia Queensland District establish an umbrella organisation – Lutheran Community Care – to manage the district’s community services and aged care operations, including Tabeel.

Having worked so hard and with such devotion for more than 50 years to build the Laidley Lutheran Old Folks’ Home, many in the management committee, congregation, staff, volunteer and supporter network found this transition difficult. With the benefit of hindsight, we now see many aspects of this transition could have been better handled, resourced and supported.

What didn’t change however were the Tabeel name, welcome and spirit.

The groundwork of building Lutheran Community Care had commenced several years earlier in the early 1990s – and Tabeel personnel played an important role.

The founding Coordinator of Lutheran Community Care was Milton Eckermann. Milton had gained a valuable induction as Tabeel’s Administrator in the early 1990s. He had been recruited by Tabeel Committee Chair, Pastor Eric Liebelt.

Over the coming years, Pastor Liebelt and Milton would play central roles in shaping and building Lutheran Community Care – the forerunner of today’s Lutheran Services.

Pastor Liebelt was elected as the founding Chair of Lutheran Community Care.

Milton single-handedly took on the formidable task of coordinating and centralising many LCAQD community initiatives. He remained in the role for some 10 years as the LCC grew in scale and scope.

Lutheran Community Care was renamed Lutheran Services in 2017. As the operator of Tabeel today, Lutheran Services recognises the considerable achievements and challenges of the past. We thank the many congregation and committee members, volunteers and supporters for their grace, devotion and hard work. Their efforts and endeavours continue to benefit Tabeel’s many residents, clients and staff today.

Lutheran Services was established to ensure the ministry of care envisaged and established by Tabeel’s founders would continue to thrive, so more people could experience Christ’s love through their services. We hope this Origin Story project will help to record, share and celebrate the incredible journey and spirit that built Tabeel and continue to make it such a special place.

In the 2020s, more than 70 years on, Tabeel is home to some 85 aged care residents and a lively community of retirement living residents in 34 cottages. Tabeel provides home care and support services to around 100 households throughout the Lockyer Valley region, as well as respite care, carer support and social activities for people living independently in the community.

Tabeel is also a great place to work and is a respected and valued employer of more than 140 staff.

As managers of Tabeel and many other aged care and community services today, Lutheran Services is a leading not-for-profit provider of human services in Queensland. As a department of the Lutheran Church of Australia Queensland District, Lutheran Services seeks to draw from, express and add to the life and mission of the Church. The organisation has grown out of the dreams and hard work of its founding Lutheran congregations. This Origin Story is another wonderful example.

Lutheran Services draws on the rich Lutheran tradition of care for the individual, family and community. It provides quality, contemporary support for older people, young people and their carers, people living with disability or mental illness, and families experiencing domestic violence and hardship. The organisation serves many metropolitan, regional and rural communities from more than 25 sites throughout Queensland – from the Gold Coast to Rockhampton.

While these sites and services are very different in where they are and what they do, they all have one thing in common: they began with a local congregation working together to meet a need and serve their region and community. These endeavours were often the first services of their kind in their region. Some were the first of their kind in Queensland. Today, they are integral and highly respected contributors to their communities and industries, providing vital care, support, employment and leadership.