- In 1910, Fred French bought land at Gravelly Beach on the West Tamar, where he established apple orchards and tea rooms. After he retired from his family business in 1924, he donated the land in Penquite Road and, after providing for his wife, the residue of his estate was used to establish the Fred French Masonic Nursing Home.
- The Fred French Masonic Nursing Home was opened on 4 Aug 1962, as the first Masonic Home in Launceston under the Trust of the Fred French Estate (Fred French has passed away 16 years earlier). Initially, it began as an 18-bed “rest home” for the care of local Freemasons, their wives and unmarried daughters.
- Through tremendous community and volunteer support, Fred French continued to grow and develop in ensuing decades. Before long, a second home – Masonic Peace Memorial Haven of Northern Tasmania Inc (later renamed Peace Haven) – was established at Masonic Garden Village at Norwood in 1986. It was made up of a 48-bed Dementia Care Unit, a 30-bed Hostel, a 12-bed Respite Unit and a Day Therapy Unit beside a large Independent Unit Village of 69 units, which has increased by eight units over the years.
- In 2016, Masonic Care Tasmania (MCT) was officially formed by merging Fred French and Masonic Peace Memorial Haven of Northern Tasmania Inc (together previously known as Masonic Homes of Northern Tasmania) with Freemasons Home (based in Lindisfarne and now currently named Derwent Views).
- In 2022, MCT merged with Respect, with the latter taking on management of its operations across Tasmania, including Peace Haven.
- Today, Peace Haven continues as a leading provider of aged care services in Northern Tasmania. Its rich history is a testament to MCT’s commitment to the wellbeing of older Australians, and Respect is proud to today continue that tradition.
History of Peace Haven1986
Together with Fred French, Peace Haven initially formed half of the Masonic Homes of Northern Tasmania, with its establishment and ongoing history of community care closely connected with the former’s origin and development.