History
Why are we called ‘Wintringham’?
The company honours the name of Tiny Wintringham, a homeless man who resided at the original Gordon House in Little Bourke Street.
When it appeared that Gordon House was to be closed, Tiny gathered support from government, unions and the media which resulted in Gordon House being rebuilt on the banks of the Yarra River. This new building has now since closed, but Tiny’s successful fight against what appeared to be insurmountable obstacles, continues to inspire the company that has been named in his honour.
Established in 1989
The founder of Wintringham is its Chief Executive Officer, Bryan Lipmann.
Wintringham was established in 1989 in response to the frustrations of watching elderly men and women die in homeless persons’ night shelters, unable to access mainstream aged care services. Elderly residents were thought of as first and foremost ‘Homeless’ – aged care services wanted nothing to do with them.
It was decided to create a new welfare company called Wintringham and to build our own aged care hostels. With the active help of the Brotherhood of St Laurence and the Commonwealth Government and its Aged Care Minister at the time, Peter Staples, funding was secured for Wintringham to build three hostels for elderly, frail homeless men and women. These three became McLean Lodge in Flemington, Wintringham Hostel in Williamstown, and Wintringham Hostel in Port Melbourne.
Although Gordon House, Gill Memorial and Ozanum night shelters have now closed or been redeveloped, the problems of elderly homeless people unable to get into mainstream accommodation persist. In response, Wintringham is attempting to meet these needs by continuing with its program of building and managing additional housing and aged care facilities, while at the same time developing a wide range of community care and outreach services.
Although all of the large night shelters have now closed or been redeveloped, the problems of elderly homeless people unable to get into mainstream accommodation remain. In response, Wintringham is attempting to meet these needs by continuing with its program of building and managing additional housing and aged care facilities, while at the same time developing a wide range of community care and outreach services.
The founder of Wintringham is its Chief Executive Officer, Bryan Lipmann. The company honours the name of Tiny Wintringham, a homeless man who resided at the original Gordon House in Little Bourke Street. When it appeared that Gordon House was to be closed, Tiny gathered support from government, unions and the media which resulted in Gordon House being rebuilt on the banks of the Yarra River. This new building has now since closed, but Tiny’s successful fight against what appeared to be insurmountable obstacles, continues to inspire the company that has been named in his honour.