Our History

Original Subiaco

Brightwater Care Group has been providing care services to Western Australians for over 100 years.

Lady Madeleine Onslow and Dr Athelstan Saw, two prominent people in the early settlement of WA, convened a meeting in the Perth Town Hall in November 1898 to address the desperate issue of care services for the WA community.  It was at this meeting, that the ‘Home of Peace for the Dying and Incurable’ was founded.

In 1901, when sufficient funds had been raised, construction of the first buildings commenced on a site bounded by Townshend Road, Hamersley Road and Thomas Street in Subiaco.  The initial buildings provided accommodation for 30 people. Thirty-five years later, two new wards and a boiler house were erected and patient accommodation grew to 85.

In 1948, the name of the association was changed to ‘The Home of Peace for the Chronic Sick’ and in 1966 again changed to simply ‘The Homes of Peace’.

Increasing demand for services forced the Board to look elsewhere for land to build another ‘Home of Peace’ in the early 1960s. The State Government made available a seven and a half acre site in Walter Road, Inglewood, and planning to build a 288 bed nursing home began in 1965. The final stage was completed in 1973.

In the 1980s, the services and structure of the ‘Homes of Peace’ evolved further. A unit was established at each home to develop age-appropriate services for young people with acquired disabilities.

The ‘Homes of Peace’ changed its name to Brightwater Care Group (Inc) in 1997 to reflect the new and dynamic nature of the organisation and Brightwater is still growing and expanding to meet the needs of the West Australian community.

Here is a snapshot of our history:

• 1903   First resident admitted to Subiaco
• 1970   Inglewood opened
• 1980   515 beds at two main sites at Inglewood & Subiaco
• 1990   7 new facilities in the north and south; 
            First hostel established; 
            Oats St Rehabilitation Centre began.
• 1995   Awarded Best Practice Grant
• 1997   Name change and planning for re-development begins
• 2000   Eighteen Care Facilities; Catering and Linen Services; 
            Brightwater House established.
            Won State Training Excellence Award
• 2001   Centenary Celebrations
• 2003   Kingsway Court – 1st Over 55s community opened
• 2003   New Brightwater Linen Facility opened in Malaga
• 2004   Opened new facility in Madeley (19th care facility)
• 2004   Interim Care service opened at Kingsley  
• 2005   The Cove opened in Mandurah (20th care facility)
• 2005   Care Manager Redcliffe won EN of the Year in Aged Care Award

• 2005   The Village won Ministers Award for Excellence in Aged Care