Our History

In 1932, the world was in the grip of a Polio epidemic. Those who survived were often left with severe physical disabilities, requiring ongoing care. Brisbane Rotary arranged a public meeting at Brisbane City Hall to discuss how assistance for children could be provided. From this meeting the Queensland Society for Crippled Children was formed. Brisbane Rotary spearheaded fundraising and Mr George Marchant donated his home at Taringa to The Society.

George Marchant was a philanthropist who donated land and property to many organisations and he maintained a lifetime interest in The Society. The Montrose Home at Taringa was officially opened on 3 December 1933 but its facilities soon became inadequate. Mr Marchant responded to this need by purchasing a larger site in Corinda in 1937. This property was donated to the Society and renamed Montrose after the Duke of Montrose in Scotland with his coat of arms used as the Montrose logo. Over a period of years the site at Corinda was developed and at one stage 100 children could be accommodated as services offered then were centre based.

Thanks to advances in medical practice, the need for treatment of children with polio waned. In 1959, the Medical Panel of The Society found that there was a great need for assistance for children with diverse muscular disabilities, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, asthma and other conditions. Many of the children still lived at Montrose and were offered a broad range of services, including therapy services. By the 1970’s, The Society operated four homes – Montrose Home at Corinda, McPherson for Senior Girls at Norman Park, Pamela Roles Home and Sheltered Workshop for Senior Boys at Manly and Dumbarton Seaside Home at Margate.

In the early 1980’s, policies changed to include services which enable families to care for their children in their own homes. By this time, the organisation was focused on therapy and homecare services. In 2001 Montrose Home changed its name to MontroseAccess and new offices were opened on the Gold Coast (2005) and Brisbane North (2007). Also in 2007, for the first time, young adults were assisted through the introduction of the Lifestyle and Leisure Program.

In 2014, after 76 years, the Corinda site was sold and Montrose Therapy & Respite Services (as we are now known) moved to new premises at Darra to better meet the changing needs of clients and families. Recent years have seen continued change as we respond to the introduction of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). New offices have been established in Toowoomba, Slacks Creek and Ipswich.

The organisation continues to innovate and is well placed to continue to provide high quality services to Queenslanders for many years to come.