22 June 2026
The story of a community is often shaped by the people who quietly dedicate themselves to making it a better place. For our Tarcoola Residential Care Home in Tara, one of those special people is Grace Stewart.
Grace’s journey in Tara began in 1985 when she and her husband moved from Brisbane to build a self-sufficient life on a rural property. Together, they embraced country living and the rewards that came with hard work. When her husband passed away two years later, Grace chose to remain in the close-knit community she had come to call home, where she has lived independently ever since.
Over the decades, Grace’s footprint on the town has been profound. In the 1990s, she played a key role in fundraising for the development of the town’s residential care home. When the doors finally opened in 1996, it was Grace who gave the home its name – Tarcoola – inspired by a small town she had once passed through during her travels. It is a name that residents, families and staff continue to cherish today.
Her passion for helping others didn’t stop there. In her semi-retirement, Grace worked as a caregiver, providing support and companionship to older people throughout the district. It was a role that reflected her generous nature and genuine care for those around her.
When faced with significant vision loss due to macular degeneration in 2010, Grace’s positive spirit remained untouched. She adapted beautifully, finding immense joy in a lifelong love of stories by spending her time listening to audiobooks.
Today, Grace’s story has come full circle. Now a resident at Tarcoola Residential Care Home, it is our privilege to return the care and compassion she has shown others throughout her life. From helping establish the home and giving it its name to supporting older people across the community, Grace’s legacy lives on at Tarcoola every day.
