Dear Maya, I have just read your recent book “Bound by Compassion The History of St Paul’s Lutheran Home Hahndorf.”

I was on the Board and Observer from 1999 to 2009, and my dad was a resident there for some 12 years, until his death at age 103 years – he was always well cared for.

Your book, Bound by Compassion, was extremely well put together. I can see that a lot of thought and time went into writing it. The early part of history at the beginning of the book was very well done. Once I started reading the book I found it hard to stop.

Certainly well done – excellent!

Brian Bartholomaeus is a past Board member and owner of Bart Buses

Maya, I would like to congratulate you on your book ‘Bound by Compassion’. I am finding it so easy to read. I have enjoyed the letters and articles included – this gives it such a human touch. I am also enjoying reading the stories of employees. Well done.

Jenine Altmann – Daughter of a past Board member.

Book Endorsement By Reg Butler

Hi Maya, we saw Reg yesterday. He had your book on the table and had just shown it to his previous visitors. He said to tell you that he fully endorsed your book, and was amazed at the research you did when you weren’t an original inhabitant of Hahndorf. He absolutely loved all the coloured photos and said they enhanced the book tremendously.

Maya, we also endorse your book for the comprehensive, factual writing and illustrations.

Regards, Kay and Cam Stafford

Reg Butler is a well-known and respected Hahndorf historian. Kay and Cam are active members of their community and surrounds.

Thank you Maya for such a comprehensive reflection of the life of St Paul’s Lutheran Homes over 50 years.

‘Bound by Compassion’ paints a picture of not only the history of events, but also includes many personal experiences of people who were either residents, employees or participated in the actual building, planning and decision-making for the development of St Paul’s Lutheran Homes as a Christian Aged Care provider.

A wonderful record of the history of Hahndorf, including the life of St Paul’s Lutheran Homes, which we would encourage you to read.

John and Stephnie Wittwer – Chairman of the Board for 10 years and willing volunteers

Maya has created a brilliant history of national importance in her publication Bound by Compassion. The story describes the oldest surviving German settlement in Australia – Hahndorf. This unique town, nestled in the arms of the rolling Adelaide hills has a rich cultural heritage proudly embraced and sustained by the community.

The establishment of St. Paul’s Lutheran Homes Hahndorf becomes the central theme of the publication. It is a fascinating record of a passionate community working together for the comfort and benefit of those in need.

Congratulations Maya on your magnificent contribution to the celebration of not only the town and people of Hahndorf but also to the history of our great southern land, Australia.

Elynor Olijnyk – Author of several early Australian history publications

‘Bound by Compassion’ is a chronological insight into the operations of St Paul’s Lutheran Homes located in the Adelaide Hills town of Hahndorf.

The author’s clear descriptive style provides a comprehensive account, tracing the organisation’s development through significant challenges including the ever-changing Australian political landscape. Maya also highlights the contributions of notable individuals and charity groups, ‘bound by compassion’ to improve the lives of others.

An historical perspective of the early Lutheran Church in the opening chapter is a significant framework for the rest of the publication.

This is an informative, educational read with engaging pictorial content throughout.

It examines the social, political, cultural and personal aspects during the course of St Paul’s Lutheran Homes with detailed clarity.

Leon Woods is an Adelaide based vocational business educator

Maya’s light touch creates a delightful, warm, human historical account of the development of Hahndorf and St Paul’s Lutheran Homes Hahndorf. In Bound by Compassion she weaves the history of Luther-ism, of Hahndorf and consequently St Paul’s Lutheran Homes, using first hand anecdotes and accounts given by those who worked or volunteered there, along with minutes of meetings, records of significant events and newspaper reports. By these means Maya has created an engaging, enjoyable read, a colourful tapestry that describes the genesis and history of Hahndorf and St Paul’s Lutheran Homes.

Absolutely A Must Read for anyone having the slightest interest in aged care, Hahndorf, Luther-ism or Colonial History.

John Lambert – B.Ed. COGE UNSW

Maya has led us along a little-known journey – the growth and maturation of Australia’s aged care industry. Her example comes out of the small, close-knit Adelaide Hills community of Hahndorf, this movement growing from within the deeply-embedded Lutheran mindset.

We have here the foundations, the letters full of ideas and desires, stirred on by the effects of aging. The slow creeping increase of life expectancy has brought satisfactions unknown to previous generations, but with that comes the inevitable decline in capacity to care for self, especially as aging parents have become much less likely to live with their young and younger offspring. That decline coincides with a general wish to reward lives well lived with comforts and contentment.

The very best intentions of Hahndorf had a troublesome start in the 1970s because of Canberra’s political about-turns at that time. Residential units did arise and were gladly taken up, but bigger enterprises all over Australia were causing a rapid growth in government interest – paying big bills while making laws to keep this growth on a straight path. Hahndorf got a fright when it found that it was inadequately staffed, and their nice old friends needed to be locked inside, for their own safety, and locked out of kitchens for the same reason. Dementia was taking a fearful toll on self-care abilities, and the big happy home had to be made more like a prison.

Ecumenism has been a key development of the Christian church over the past century, and a glowing example recorded by Maya is the administrative help given by the Catholic Southern Cross Homes to the Hahndorf Lutherans. Surely, this is God working his purpose out.

The communal and Maya’s personal pain brought on by the Covid 19 pandemic, its consequent managerial crisis and the sale of St Paul’s Homes are faithfully recorded by Maya. It is obvious that these events spurred her to get this story into print. Her efforts, especially her reading and setting out a mountain of documents, deserve commendation as a valuable record of her community’s response to the rapidly growing proportion of aged people everywhere.

Richard Maerschel – Author of several books, including his latest ‘Blumberg Hill: The Silent Witness to the Events and People of Birdwood’, published in November 2024.

There is something in this book for everyone. As a resource, it is very thorough and comprehensive. It covers the history of St Pauls and the Lutheran expansion into aged care in Hahndorf, from the very earliest of times. The history that is presented is embellished with stories from the early European times to the modern day, which gives the book character.

Kath Bowman – freelance technical writer

The author has captured a wonderful history of the Lutheran church at Hahndorf and entwined the growth of St Paul’s Homes within this history.

Jacqui McLean – A previous Board member