St Andrews story returns to the community where it began

St Andrews story returns to the community where it began

More than 30 years after St Andrews Aged Care was established in Tallebudgera, its Origin Story has been shared back with the congregation and community whose faith, vision and care helped bring it to life.

The St Andrews Aged Care Origin Story was formally presented at St Andrews Lutheran Church in May, before being shared more broadly with residents, staff, families, volunteers and friends at a special morning tea at St Andrews Aged Care last month.

Together, these gatherings honoured the people, prayers, planning, perseverance and community spirit that helped shape St Andrews – and the unique vision of church, school and aged care growing side by side.

The Origin Story reflects on the early hopes and decisions that led to the creation of St Andrews, and the many people who gave their time, skills, leadership and care to help turn that vision into reality.

It also captures the strong sense of belonging that has continued to shape the St Andrews community over more than three decades.

As founding Service Manager and planning committee member John Howard reflects in the Origin Story, the focus was on ‘fulfilling the vision of the congregation of three services within one community’.

Today, that founding vision continues through St Andrews Aged Care, where residents, staff, families, volunteers and friends help carry forward the same spirit of welcome, care and connection.

As current Service Manager Rebecca Pay shares, ‘The people here make it what it is: safe, comfortable, compassionate, and full of small but meaningful moments.’

At the aged care morning tea, guests heard excerpts from the Origin Story, including reflections from John Howard, retirement living resident and long-time volunteer Irene Henseleit, and former Personal Carer and Lifestyle team member Tony Wilson.

Through the readings, Irene’s story showed how simple acts of service can grow into deep connection: ‘It was nice getting to know all the people there; I made a lot of friends.’

Tony’s story captured the heart of care at St Andrews: ‘In Lifestyle, my job was to make people feel good, needed, and valued.’

Together, their stories showed that St Andrews has always been shaped by more than buildings or services. It has been shaped by people who gave their time, shared their gifts and helped others feel at home.

The published Origin Story brings together many of these memories, while leaving space for others to continue adding to the story over time.

As with all community stories, there may be more memories, photos and reflections still to come. If you have a connection to St Andrews Lutheran Church, St Andrews Aged Care, St Andrews Lutheran College or the wider Tallebudgera community, Lutheran Services would be pleased to hear from you.

Your story may help add another thread to this shared history of faith, care and community.

The St Andrews Origin Story is now available to read online, along with other Origin Stories from across Lutheran Services. You can also drop into St Andrews Aged Care, 2 Sullivan St, Tallebudgera if you would like to pick up a copy of the booklet.

Read the full Origin Story here: https://www.lutheranservices.org.au/origin-stories/st-andrews/

Images

Top: Jo Corney (Lutheran Services Church Engagement Lead), Kathy Friebell (St Andrews Aged Care Chaplain) Erika Rose (St Andrews Aged Care first chaplain and long serving volunteer) and Rebecca Pay (St Andrews Aged Care Service Manager) in front of the Origin Story plaque.

Middle: St Andrews storytellers and contributors came together in 2025 to share the memories, photos and reflections that helped shape the Origin Story; storytellers, including John Howard, were presented with the St Andrews Origin Story at St Andrews Lutheran Church; the Origin Story was shared with residents, staff, families, volunteers and friends at a morning tea at St Andrews Aged Care.