April 13, 2021
A memorial plaque has been unveiled at Lutheran Services’ Orana Aged Care Community in Kingaroy, exactly 51 years to the day after the original foundation stone at the facility was laid.
The plaque, erected on a stone plinth in the rose garden at Orana’s main entry, recognises the late Joyce and Norman Kucks, whose vision led to the establishment of the facility.
The late Eldred Lange – the first chairman of the then-Orana management committee – wrote a brief history of the facility in the mid-1990s.
In it, he recalled heading out to the Kucks’ family property to discuss a “dream” that Joyce had, ie. to investigate the possibility of establishing “an old folks” home for Kingaroy and the surrounding district.
Fundraising began after Joyce – who died in May 2009 – also spoke about her idea at her local Lutheran church. The Kingaroy Apex Club quickly came on board, and fundraising began.
In 1970, a 17-bed hostel was officially opened by then-Premier Sir Joh Bjelke-Petersen.
As well as being the instigators of Orana, Joyce and Norman were also the first matron and caretaker at the facility, and donated their services for the first six months.
Joyce and Norman’s daughter, Lynette Johnston, from Buderim, came up with the idea of the small monument so her parents’ efforts would not be forgotten.
Originally there had been a Kucks Wing at Orana, but this was demolished years ago to make way for the nursing home, and the Kucks name was in danger of fading out of memory.
A small service of thanksgiving and blessing of the plaque was held on Monday, but unfortunately COVID restrictions meant only a handful of people could be present.
Members of the Kucks family were joined by Orana Lutheran chaplain Mike Braunberger, Orana Service Manager Kym Zischke, and former Orana committee chairman Keith Campbell and his wife Marion.
Lynette said her parents had a farm but her mother had always dreamt of having her own hospital, probably inheriting her caring nature from her own mother.
“My grandma was always caring for someone. If someone was sick, grandma would always cook a meal and mum would walk through the paddocks to give it to them,” Lynette said.
The Kucks family, who travelled from various locations across south-east Queensland for the event, then retired to the Kingaroy RSL Club to enjoy lunch.
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