A POPULAR retirement village in one of Brisbane’s most historic Catholic precincts will be transferred by its founding Sisters to leading not-for-profit aged care provider Ozcare next month.
The picturesque Delamore House, nestled on the hillside in Kedron’s Little Flower Parish, has belonged to the Missionary Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Conception for the past 85 years.
Delamore House and the retirement village, Delamore Retirement Community, which was constructed more than 30 years ago, will be transferred to Ozcare.
Sister Catherine White, who is the Australian Leader of the MFIC Sisters, said the missionary work of the sisters, which has spread worldwide from its base since 1935, will continue.
“We have been a missionary group and this property has been the place from which the sisters went out in the very beginning,” Sr White said.
“Our first mission went to Papua New Guinea in 1949 and over time we have had sisters travel to China, Latin America and Egypt.
“It was our leadership hub and foundational headquarters from where we went out to mission.
“Delamore House was too big for our needs by the 1990s and the sisters asked the archbishop at the time what the greatest need would be. He said it was aged care. Since 1990, it has been home to a growing number of retirees, including the Sisters.
“We are ageing and reducing in number and I feel very strongly that the 60-plus people who rely on us for their homes have put their trust in us, which is why we wouldn’t have considered a non-Catholic group for the next step for Delamore.”
Sr White said Ozcare, a special work of St Vincent de Paul Society Queensland, shares the same values as the sisters and is dedicated to caring for those in real need.
“We are confident that Ozcare is the right organisation to take stewardship of Delamore,” Sr Catherine said.
“We will be proud to continue to minister to retirees from our chapel on the site of Delamore, however, we will be stepping aside from the day-to-day operations of the retirement community. This decision gives the residents a lot more security.”
The first two MFIC Sisters arrived in Australia in 1930 to set up St Anthony’s Parish Primary School at the request of the Franciscan Friars.
In the early years, the sisters’ convent was the present parish hall opposite the school.
By 1935, they had outgrown the site, purchasing Delamore, which they moved into in 1936, starting a long history of missionary work.
This included the expansion of St Anthony’s school ground in the 1950s, which was on land sold by the sisters to the parish.
Growing in strength, they opened Mt Alvernia College in 1956 on their land opposite the convent on Cremorne Road.
Over the years, they have carried out their teaching ministry at both schools, however, there are only 20 Sisters remaining in Australia with 120 belonging to the religious order globally.
Sr White said the transfer of Delamore to Ozcare would take effect on February 28.
Ozcare’s chief executive officer Tony Godfrey said the organisation was honoured to be entrusted by the sisters with ensuring the longevity of one of Brisbane’s most significant spiritual precincts.
“We believe our organisation is strongly aligned with the values of Delamore Retirement Community,” he said.
“The spirit of Delamore; warm smiles and good friends and the mission of the MFIC Sisters; to help people in need, reflects Ozcare’s Catholic ethos and our commitment to caring for our community by making a positive difference in the lives of the people we support.
“Ozcare is privileged to continue the 32-year legacy of Delamore Retirement Community and we are dedicated to ensuring that the esteemed reputation of the MFIC Sisters and the spirit of Delamore continues.”
