Karuna History

Karuna was the vision of Venerable Pende Hawter, a Buddhist Monk, who believed that there was an opportunity to provide comfort and support for the dying in Brisbane.  The service was initially on Kedron Brook Road and then Lamont Terrace in Wilston. In the first couple of years this was provided by Ven Pende at his own expense in the form of life education. This was based on Buddhist philosophy and emotional and spiritual support including meditation classes and retreats for individuals and families coping with terminal illness and loss.  

A small team of heath care professionals who believed in Ven Pende’s vision helped him set up a home hospice service which continues today.

Educational and support programs established in recent years have expanded on Ven Pende’s  community support initiatives. Karuna now assists over 500 families a year who are affected by a life threatening illness, grief and loss.

Timeline

• April 1991 – Development of steering committee
• November 1991 – First employees
• January 1992 – Admission of first home care patient
• March 1992 – Registered company limited by guarantee named the Karuna Hospice Service Ltd. Charitable and Public Benevolent Status obtained.
• 1992 – 1994 – service funded by Jupiters, community groups and individual donations
• February 1992 – first family support volunteer training course conducted
• 1992 – Queensland Health offered use of premises at O’Connell Terrance, Bowen Hills
• 1994 – Queensland Health offered use of premises at Building 1 and 2, Rosemount Hospital, Windsor
• 1994 – Three year service agreement with Queensland Health commenced. This covered 50% of home hospice program costs. Agreement has been renewed several times and is now in place until June 2014
• 1995 – Karuna nurse Alex Moore relocated to Sunshine Coast and established home hospice service in the area. Lama Zopa Rinpoche named the new service Cittamani Hospice Service. It operated under The Karuna Hospice Service Ltd until 2004 when it was registered as an independent legal entity.
• 1997 – Ven. Pende retired from Karuna and Ven. Yeshe Khadro appointed by Lama Zopa Rinpoche as Director
• 1998 – Obtained accreditation by the Australian Council on Healthcare Standards under guidance of consultant Margie O’Kane
• 1999 – Formed joint venture with Cittamani and Little Haven which obtained three year service agreement with Queensland Health to provide home hospice in the Gympie, Sunshine Coast and Caboolture districts. Established a branch office in Caboolture and care of clients in the Caboolture district was coordinated from here. The branch office moved to larger facilities in Deception Bay in 2000. The branch office was closed in 2004 and care in the Caboolture district was coordinated from the Brisbane office.
• 2000 – Partner of Consortium that founded Centre for Palliative Care Research and Education
• 2000 – Appointed project manager by Queensland Health for statewide, free call palliative care information and support line
• 2003 – Commenced the Cherish program to provide counselling and spiritual care to people experiencing grief and loss who did not require admission into the Home Hospice program
• 2003 - 2004 - Obtained 30 year lease from Queensland Health for use of Karuna House on the Rosemount site and restored the heritage listed building
• 2005 – Office moved from Building 1 to Karuna House
• 2005 – Purchased Mandala Books business
• 2005 – Constructed Namgyal Stupa for long life and purification
• 2006 – Developed Mind Life Education Program
• 2006 – hosted visit of FPMT Spiritual Head, Lama Zopa Rinpoche
• 2007 – Hosted visit of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. His Holiness agreed to be Karuna’s Spiritual Patron.

Karuna House History

• 1850’s – original stone cottage
• 1880’s – sold to James Hamilton Scott who subdivided 90 allotments. He was the first person to change the house, adding a stone building in the east
• 1885 – house sold to Alfred Jones
• 1894 – original house possibly demolished (this was common in that time due to poor materials and labour) Jones rebuilt next to the stone wing. Renowned architect G Addison worked on the house in the 1890’s and two acres were added to the site. Several rooms of the house are ‘classic Addison rooms’ and the main front portico. Formal gardens appeared with many varieties of roses and orchids.
• 1914 – Jones and his three sons loaned the house to the Government for the war period for use as a repatriation hospital. The main treatments were massage and ionization
• 1916 – first additional buildings appeared which included open air wards with canvas walls
• 1918 – site was acquired by the Queensland Government for a permanent hospital
• 1931 – a second stone area of the main house was demolished and a timber area added. The ‘viewing platform' on the east side which used to look out to Breakfast Creek was removed.
• 1945 – more buildings added to site
• 1949 – some buildings leased to Royal Brisbane Hospital
• 1951 – main land to east subdivided
• 1960’s to 1980’s – used as repatriation hospital
• 1980’s – used as geriatric and mental health hospital for Royal Brisbane Hospital
• 1994 – house and some buildings closed down. House empty and vandalized
• 2005 -  Karuna leased building for 30 years from Queensland Health

Karuna House has been decorated with beautiful artwork by well known artist Elliss Rowan and Katy Edwards.

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