Background
This case study of Jimbelunga (Jim-bell-unga) Nursing Centre in Eagleby Queensland, upon the lands of the Yugambeh people, demonstrates how culturally safe aged care can be embedded in daily practice through a relationship-based model of care. Jimbelunga’s approach reflects a deep commitment to meeting the cultural and spiritual needs of their clients, both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, as well as people from other cultural backgrounds.
The Nursing Centre’s workforce development strategies, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-led recruitment, mentoring and capacity building; demonstrate how cultural representation and staff wellbeing directly strengthen the quality of care.
This case study provides a practical example of how culturally safe care can be adapted and implemented in ways that support both residents and staff. It is featured as a case study because of its focus on workforce innovation and its leadership in community-led, culturally responsive and trauma-informed care.
About Jimbelunga (A Place of Friendship) Nursing Centre
Jimbelunga Nursing Centre is part of the Brisbane Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Health Service (ATSICHS), is unique in its dedication to providing care that supports residents throughout their ageing journey. Jimbelunga meets the cultural and spiritual needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and welcomes people from a broad range of cultural backgrounds in the community.
Jimbelunga’s model of care is founded on the belief that every person who needs care and support is entitled to high-quality care delivered with empathy and professionalism, regardless of medical, financial or social circumstances, and always without judgement. Care is provided equitably, with a balanced approach to meeting the organisation’s financial responsibilities.
Today, around 40 per cent of staff and 80 per cent of residents identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander. The Centre’s transformation reflects a deliberate focus on increasing both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander representation among staff and residents, recognising that strengthening one supports the other.
Belinda Charles, Operations Manager at Jimbelunga and a registered nurse has led a culturally transformative process. She discusses their model of care in the following videos.
Model of care
Jimbelunga’s model of care is relationship-based and was developed in collaboration with the Queensland University of Technology (QUT). It is built around four core values:
- Connection
- Diversity
- Healing
- Self-determination
Emphasis is placed on understanding each person’s history and how it shapes their experiences, rather than simply knowing it, to ensure care is appropriate and meaningful.
Video duration 1 min 56
Jimbelunga is owned by the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Health Service (ATSICHS) Brisbane, ensuring the facility is designed to meet the cultural and spiritual needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. In this video Belinda Charles discusses the centre’s culturally responsive approach to care delivery.
Connection through relationships
Video duration 1 min 31
The importance of connection to place and people is highlighted within Jimbelunga’s model of care, particularly for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander residents. While returning to Country is not always possible, Jimbelunga supports this connection through its location in a natural environment enriched with native trees and a creek that attracts wildlife. This setting helps maintain a spiritual and cultural link to the land, flora and fauna, an enduring priority for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
The model of care extends beyond typical person-centred approaches. It emphasises deep and reciprocal relationships between staff and residents, among residents themselves, and across families and the wider community. The goal is to foster a sense of belonging and purpose through these connections.
Diversity
Video duration 2 min 07
Diversity at Jimbelunga extends beyond outward cultural differences, it is deeply embedded within Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and reflected among residents, staff and the wider community. Both residents and staff represent a mix of spiritual, religious and cultural backgrounds, and many live with a range of physical and medical conditions.
Residents span a wide age range, fostering meaningful intergenerational relationships. Jimbelunga also accommodates family units, such as mothers and daughters, who might otherwise be separated in different locations. Diversity is embraced as a strength that deepens person-centred care, recognising and respecting each individual’s unique background, needs and relationships.
Self Determination and Healing
Video duration 1 min
Operations manager Belinda emphasises that trauma-informed care and a holistic approach addressing physical, spiritual and emotional needs are central to Jimbelunga’s philosophy. Healing is supported through the combined strength of staff, community and the natural environment, particularly for residents with lived experiences of poverty, homelessness or incarceration.
Jimbelunga provides a comprehensive range of services in one location and benefits from strong support from the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Health Service (ATSICHS) Brisbane, which broadens access to specialist and allied health services.
Workforce Support
Video duration 1 min 35
Supporting the workforce is essential for any aged care organisation seeking to provide culturally appropriate care for residents and staff. This includes fostering culturally sensitive recruitment, training and retention practices.
At Jimbelunga, staff-centred care forms the foundation of its approach. The core values of care apply not only to residents but also to staff, recognising that staff wellbeing directly influences the quality of care provided. Jimbelunga prioritises hiring people who are the right fit for the organisation, rather than only those with formal qualifications, and then supports staff to gain required qualifications after joining.
With more than 150 staff members, each person is recognised as an individual, valued for their unique contribution and relationships within the community.
A worker's journey at Jimbelunga – finding people who are the ‘right fit’
Video duration 3 min 06
Maria (pseudonym) is a 50-year-old Aboriginal woman with chronic health conditions who was known to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Health Service (ATSICHS) Brisbane’s medical clinics. Despite completing a Certificate III, she had limited work experience and faced several barriers to employment. Her wish to work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders made her a strong cultural fit for Jimbelunga.
She received support to address specific challenges, helping her establish a daily routine and, in time, achieve financial independence for the first time in her life. Her improved wellbeing has had positive effects on her health, her family and the wider community. The initiative shows how small, targeted investments in people can lead to significant and lasting outcomes.
The Jimbelunga difference
Video duration 1 min 18
The Jimbelunga model of care differs from mainstream aged care by prioritising culturally safe practices that recognise the personal and historical experiences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander residents. It carefully reviews standard clinical practices, such as doll therapy and the use of suppositories, before applying them in care planning. This approach recognises that such practices can cause distress or re-traumatisation for people who have experienced forced child removal, child loss or sexual abuse.
The model highlights the importance of understanding each person’s background and trauma before providing clinical care, ensuring that support is not only medically appropriate but also emotionally and culturally respectful.
Other resources
Warning: The links below have been created and supplied by Jimbelunga which feature images of staff and residents (some of whom may have passed). We acknowledge and pay our respect to them for sharing their stories.
What we learn from this case study
Connect with Jimbelunga Nursing Centre
Website: https://jimbelunga.org.au/contact-us/
Contact no. 07 38070655
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1896364380489183/