Our History

A proud history in the Western Australian community

Brightwater Care Group has provided care services to Western Australians for more than 100 years.

Lady Madeleine Onslow and Dr Athelstan Saw, two prominent Perth citizens around the turn of the 20th century, convened a meeting at Perth Town Hall in November 1898 to address the desperate issue of care services for the WA community.

The ‘Home of Peace for the Dying and Incurable’ was founded at this historic gathering.

In 1901, when sufficient funds had been raised, construction of the first buildings began on a site bounded by Townshend and Hamersley roads and Thomas Street in Subiaco.

These first buildings provided accommodation for 30 people. 35 years later, two new wards and a boiler house were added and resident 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 ‘The Homes of Peace’.

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

The ‘Homes of Peace’ changed its name to Brightwater Care Group in 1997 to reflect the new and dynamic nature of the organisation and Brightwater.

In 2016, Brightwater registered as a public company limited by guarantee to properly reflect its size and the strong governance framework of the organisation.

Today, Brightwater continues to meet the growing needs of West Australians as one of the state’s most respected not-for-profit carers of people with neurological disability, injury or illness, and people who are ageing.

We provide top quality care and innovative opportunities to promote client wellbeing and help them fulfil life’s possibilities by acknowledging their unique personalities and individual circumstances.

With 27 locations between Joondalup and Mandurah, Brightwater cares for people of all ages and abilities, including clients living with dementia, Huntington’s disease and acquired brain injury.

To support the growing population of older people who want to remain independent for longer in the community, Brightwater At Home began providing services and expert care to people still living in their own homes.

The Brightwater Research Centre furthers scientific knowledge, evaluating brain injury rehabilitation programs at its Oats Street centre, researching neurological conditions, dementia care and living environments to benefit individuals and the wider community.

In 2001, the year of its centenary, Brightwater published Lady Onslow’s Legacy, A History of the Home of Peace and the Brightwater Care Group. To obtain a copy, email marketingcommunications@brightwatergroup.com.