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Gimbawali Place: a constellation of stories, a community of belonging

Gimbawali Place: a constellation of stories, a community of belonging

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15 August 2023

News | Community Housing

Gimbawali Place, BaptistCare's largest and newest social and affordable housing community in Carlingford for seniors and single-parent families, is built on an historic piece of land for BaptistCare.

Now designated a Site of State Significance, it was the first land purchased by the Baptist Homes Trust (that would eventually become BaptistCare), and it was the site of our first aged care home, Yallambi Elderly Ladies' Home, which opened in 1953.

Named by the pioneering women and men who founded the organisation now known as BaptistCare, the word Yallambi is from the word 'Nglambi', which we believe is from the Noongar people of south-west WA, meaning ‘to dwell/to rest with ease’.

This site, steeped in a history of care and community, continues to provide community and wrap-around support for its tenants. And now in 2023, some seventy years later from the opening of Yallambi, this site's naming is again significant.

Gimbawali is a Dharug word from the Dharug people, the traditional custodians of the land in Carlingford. We value the engagement we continue to have with members and elders of the Dharug community, both now and throughout the building and naming process.

'Gimbawali' means stars/light/guiding home.

The three interlinked buildings at Gimbawali are named: 'Yudi' (to escort/or to see home), 'Birrung' (stars) and 'Nura' (country).

Together they mean: ‘Everyone is welcome, under the stars, on Country’.

Located at 1 Martins Lane, Carlingford, Gimbawali Place is BaptistCare’s largest social and affordable community housing consisting of 162 one, two and three-bedroom apartments, with panoramic views of Parramatta and Homebush.

Truly a community-friendly site, there’s landscaped gardens, communal areas and playgrounds and a central courtyard area. We’re delighted to be able to support single-parent families and seniors in the local Carlingford community, to make Gimbawali Place their home.

Gimbawali Place is already more than just a home, it's also a constellation of stories and histories under the stars and a community of belonging.

To enquire about eligibility and vacancies at BaptistCare’s Gimbawali Place please visit:

https://baptistcare.org.au/centre/gimbawali-place

BaptistCare has recently launched our Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan in partnership with Reconciliation Australia. To read our RAP, go to:

https://baptistcare.org.au/reconciliation-action-plan