The story of ACH Group 1952 – 2022
ACH Group is a proud South Australian not-for-profit organisation with a rich history of driving change and influencing national aged care policy. At the centre of this effort is an unwavering focus on improving care and support for older South Australians.
Below are some of the ACH Group milestones over seven decades, as published in The story of ACH Group book.
1952
May
Aged Cottage Homes incorporated. Founder Sir Keith Wilson is named Chair.
1954
November
First three units at Marden Street, Payneham opened.
1964 – 1970
Cottage homes built across Adelaide’s eastern suburbs, under the leadership of Sir Keith Wilson, including St Georges Court, Magill in 1964; James Evans Court, Magill in 1967; and Elliot Court, Campbelltown in 1969.
1971
John Pitchford begins as the first General Manager (CEO).
1974
Milpara hostel in Rostrevor opens, followed by the nursing home and therapy centre in 1977. Milpara is an Aborginal word meaning ‘company of people’.
Negotiations began with Noarlunga Rotary Club to purchase nine acres of land at Port Noarlunga. Construction of Perry Park’s independent living units, community building, and hostel completed by July 1981.
1978
The South Australian Division of the Australian Red Cross Society transfers Kapara Red Cross Home at Glenelg South to Aged Cottage Homes. $2,600,000 committed to redeveloping the home.
1980
Aged Cottage Homes employs 270 staff, provides accommodation to 1,100 South Australians, and provides rehabilitation and services through Day Centres to 300 people.
Aged Cottage Homes adopts Social Role Valorisation theory as its base values philosophy.
1981
The first computer installed at head office on St Bernards Road, Magill, due to additional administrative and accounting work generated by Perry Park.
Milpara’s renovations informed by ‘roles’ model of care and includes Australia’s first dedicated unit for people living with dementia.
1983
A community services division established with the aim of coordinating
and supporting the lifestyle of people living in independent units.
1985
Lawrie Lewis appointed CEO. Federal Government launches Community Options, Australia’s first version of home care.
1986
Partnership with Wyatt Trust established to deliver Wyatt Holidays, an option to respite in residential care.
1988
Prince Charles and Princess Diana visit the newly opened West Park Residential Care Home in Goolwa.
1990
Colton Court Residential Care Home opens in McLaren Vale.
1995
Aged Cottage Homes leads inaugural national trial of Nursing Home Options, the first version of Home Care Packages Level 3 and 4.
1996
Mike Rungie appointed CEO. Renamed to Aged Care and Housing Group Incorporated (ACH Group).
1997
Aged Care Act 1997 introduced.
It set out rules for funding, regulation, approval of providers, quality of care and the rights of people receiving care.
2000
Partnership with the Department of Veterans’ Affairs begins with a trial of home care services. ACH Group wins the contract in 2001 to deliver care assessment and coordination for 90% of South Australia’s eligible veterans.
Sydney Olympics are held and the torch visits Colton Court.
2002
Opening of Yankalilla Centre, combining residential care and independent living with a primary health care centre and community services.
2004
Partnership with the City of Onkaparinga is established to deliver home support services.
2005
Partnership with SA Health established to develop City Views, a unique specialist high level transition service based at Julia Farr Centre.
War Widows’ Guild transfers their properties to ACH Group to deliver retirement living.
The first peer review of services, known as customer impact project, is completed.
2006
‘Good Lives for Older People’ is adopted as ACH Group’s purpose.
Standalone catering facility established in Holden Hill.
2008
Partnership with the Cambodian community delivers social support and respite services.
2009
Purchase of Elkanah Retirement Village.
Consumer Directed Care (CDC) trial with 20 customers in Adelaide’s eastern suburbs, the first trial of CDC in aged care.
2010
Head office moves from Halifax Street, Adelaide to 22 Henley Beach Road, Mile End.
Highercombe Residential Care Home in Hope Valley opens.
2011
New logo and brand identity launches.
Expansion into Victoria with the purchase of two retirement living villages in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs, Bedford Heights Estate and St Thomas Community Retirement Village.
2013
ACH Group employs 1,700 staff and 500 volunteers.
2014
ACH Group partners with the two oldest and largest Muslim organisations in South Australia – the Islamic Society of SA and the Islamic Arabic Centre – to provide residential and community services.
ViTA, a teaching, residential care home and transitional care offering, opens in Daw Park.
2015
Home and Community Care (HACC) funding arrangements transition to the current Commonwealth Home Support Programme.
2016
Ray Creen commences as CEO.
2017
South Australian media personality Jane Reilly is named as ACH Group Brand Ambassador.
ACH Group becomes a registered NDIS provider to support people with age-related neurological conditions such as Parkinson’s, stroke and dementia.
Community Aged Care Packages (CACP) and Extended Aged Care at Home (EACH) Packages transition to current Home Care Packages.
2018
First Health Studio 50+ opens at Glenelg Oval.
Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety begins to address issues within Australia’s aged care system to improve the quality of care for all.
2019
Frank Weits commences as CEO.
Launch of ACH Group’s Connected Communities Strategy.
2020
March
The World Health Organisation declares COVID-19 a worldwide pandemic.
June
Spence on Light, an apartment style retirement living offering in Adelaide’s CBD is completed. Partnership comprises ACH Group, Housing Choices South Australia, and SA Housing Authority.
August
Frank Weits speaks at Royal Commission on the benefits of small-scale household design in residential care.
2021
February
Final report and recommendations from the Royal Commission are tabled.
June
ACH Group divests from Victoria to focus on South Australi-based operations in line with its Connected Communitites strategy.
December
Sod turning for Healthia, the residential care home, health and education hub in Elizabeth South.
Late December
Widespread community transmissions of COVID-19 cases recorded in South Australia.
2022
June
Health Studio 50+ Gilles Plains opens, replacing the community and health hub at Newton.
August
Nearly 100 members of the ACH Group community take part in the South Australian Living Artists (SALA) Festival.
ACH Group in October 2022
- 1,880 employees and 170 volunteers
- 8 residential care homes
- 711 retirement living units
- 1,700 customers using health and wellbeing services at Health Studio 50+ locations
- 6,400 older South Australians supported with at home services
- 600 customers engaging in social experiences
