For seven decades, Goodwin Aged Care Services has been a beacon of compassion and support for senior citizens across the Canberra region. Founded by the community in 1954, the esteemed aged care service holds a rich history of collaboration and grassroots support, which has been instrumental in shaping its ethos and guiding principles.

“The National Council of Women (NCW) were the founding mothers of Goodwin; they instigated the first meeting which started a fundraising committee. It was to raise money to provide accommodation for aged people living in Canberra; they were living in huts and tents because there was no accommodation for anyone who was old in Canberra,” says Margaret Findlater-Smith, volunteer historian and member of the NCW.

A young city best suited to those of working age, Ms Findlater-Smith says the NCW was hearing stories about the things Canberra was lacking, such as kindergartens and schools, and they began fundraising for these institutions to be built. The same process was followed for Goodwin; through community fundraising, a grant from the Federal Government, and support from local organisation and businesses, the first Goodwin cottages were built in Ainslie.

“The Australian National University designed the first cottages for free; it wasn’t just financial donations, a lot of people came in to help with landscaping or painting companies who donated paint, it was a lot of people coming together to see what they could add,” says Ashley King, marketing co-ordinator and author of Celebrating 70 years of Goodwin.

Wanting to commemorate Goodwin’s achievements over the decades with a book, Celebrating 70 years of Goodwin serves as a tribute to the remarkable journey of the aged care leaders. Through newspaper clippings, original plans and historic photos, it tells a story of founding principles, pivotal moments and those who have contributed to its ongoing success.

“It’s not just about the buildings and what was physically placed here,” says Ms King. “It’s about the community spirit and attitude of the people that came together to make that difference.”

Together, Ms Findlater-Smith and Ms King scoured the Trove records, the entire scrapbooks of the period held by the NCW, and Goodwin archives to collate the plans, stories and photographs. The book will be available at the Goodwin website, all their aged care sites, and some libraries in the coming weeks; they hope people experience the welcoming atmosphere that has been created throughout the pages.

“People saw a problem that other people were struggling with and, with no benefit or gain for themselves, went out of their way and put their time in – it’s a beautiful thing,” says Ms King. “It’s a warm, nice, fuzzy feeling – it’s nice to see people wanting to help other people and that same value is what I see in Goodwin today.”

“For most people in Canberra, Goodwin has been there for most of their lifetime so it is just another part of the aged care system,” says Ms Findlater-Smith. “But it is by far the largest aged care support system in Canberra and you only ever hear good things about Goodwin.”

What started as a grassroots initiative driven by a shared vision of creating a nurturing environment for seniors has blossomed into a cornerstone of the Canberra community. From its humble beginnings, the local community remains at the core of the Goodwin story.

Goodwin locations are welcoming spaces, volunteers come from throughout the region and market days always draw a crowd. Organisations like the Canberra Symphony Orchestra regularly visit and perform, while students from local primary schools also visit residents regularly.

Through an array of engaging activities, wellness programs and social events, residents and clients have the opportunity to connect with others, pursue their interests, and live life to the fullest extent possible.

Throughout its storied history, Goodwin has continually evolved to meet the changing needs of older people while upholding its core values of compassion, integrity and excellence.

“Goodwin has grown with Canberra,” says Stephen Holmes, Goodwin CEO. “Our growth was quite measured for the first 20 years. Definitely in the last 15 or so it has grown exponentially because the need is there, as Canberra has an ageing population, there is a need for what we do and the expansion of what we do is really significant.”

As many Canberrans live at home into their advanced years, it’s vital that Goodwin can offer a comprehensive list of services tailored to each client’s needs. Some residents seek Goodwin for the lifestyle and socialisation it offers, others for the caring approach.

“Our customers are of a certain age, that’s the only criteria; not everyone ages the same, two 70-year-olds could be miles apart in terms of their needs. It is really important for us that we can provide any type of service they need, whether it be coming in once a week to cook a meal or clean a house up to those who need 24/7 care,” says Mr Holmes.

At the heart of Goodwin’s success are its dedicated staff members, whose unwavering dedication and compassionate approach make a profound difference in the lives of those they serve. From nurses and carers to support staff and volunteers, each member of the Goodwin team embodies the organisation’s ethos of kindness, empathy and professionalism.

“I’ve been involved with Goodwin for some time and this has been some of the most meaningful work that I’ve done,” says Ms King. “I feel a lot of connection to the role that Goodwin plays in the community; I see them making such a difference for so many lives every day.”

According to Mr Holmes, “most of our staff work in this sector because they want to give back, it’s part of their DNA to want to provide help and assistance”.

“Everyone has a parent or grandparent, so everyone has that drive to provide the best life we can for them for as long as they are with us,” he says.

As Goodwin embarks on the next chapter of its remarkable journey, it remains guided by the same principles and values that have guided it since its inception: a deep commitment to caring for seniors with dignity, compassion and respect.

“We are a larger organisation, but we are still a community-based organisation,” says Mr Holmes. “We are still true to the nature of how the organisation was set up. What it stands for, its mission, has never fundamentally changed at all.”

Find out more about Goodwin Aged Services at goodwin.org.au

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