RangeCare staff at the annual general meeting at Flaxton Gardens on Friday, November 6.
What began in 1986 as a small community care group has grown over 40 years into a service supporting thousands of older residents across the Sunshine Coast, Gympie and surrounding communities to remain independent and connected.
That transformation was celebrated at RangeCare’s annual general meeting at Flaxton Gardens on Friday, November 6, where board members, team members and life members reflected on 40 years of service and another successful year.
Chairperson Lenore Simpson said the anniversary had been an opportunity to recognise the people whose dedication had built the organisation over four decades.
“It’s given us a chance to pause, look back and appreciate all the people who helped build RangeCare over the past four decades through vision, dedication and a commitment to serving others,” she said.
Today, RangeCare provides home care, nursing, allied health, meals and social support across the Sunshine Coast, Gympie and surrounding communities.
The past year has brought further expansion, including new offices in Buderim and Tin Can Bay, the establishment of in-house nursing and allied health teams, and an extension of meal delivery services.
Client numbers have also grown, with home care package clients up 11 per cent and Commonwealth Home Support Program clients up 9 per cent.
Chief Executive Officer Gary Holland said the organisation's success was ultimately measured by the difference it made in people's lives.
He shared a simple example from the morning of the AGM, when a RangeCare IT team member arrived and before setting up he helped a woman stranded with three young children and a flat tyre. “That's what RangeCare does, and that's how we meet our purpose every day,” he said.
The organisation's volunteers contributed an extraordinary 11,000 hours during the year, while a $440,000 operating surplus will help fund further improvements and expansion.
Finance committee chair Leigh Watkins said RangeCare had come a long way from a decade ago, when it was facing losses of $500,000 and had an annual turnover below $5 million.
However, 2026 was not without challenges.
Mr Holland acknowledged that Federal Government aged care reforms, particularly the new Support at Home program, had created considerable uncertainty for older people, their families and care providers.
“I will say that the intent of the reforms, I totally agree with them. I think they're really good, but the implementation's been really, really tough,” he said.
The AGM saw the re-election of directors Lenore Simpson, Leigh Watkins and James Wilson-Smith, while Carol Trevor was elected as a new director.
As RangeCare enters its fifth decade, its focus remains on helping older residents live independently, maintain friendships and stay connected to the communities they call home.
RangeCare Board members, from left to right, Director Hayley Holloway, CEO Gary Holland, Deputy Chairperson Greg Mannion, Director Leigh Watkins, Chairperson Lenore Simpson, Director James Wilson-Smith and Director Carol Trevor, gathered at Flaxton Gardens on November 6 for the organisation's annual general meeting, celebrating 40 years of community care and another year of growth.