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Our Story

Our Story

How did Unicare Health become Australia’s leading hospital, aged care and disability equipment provider?

The Unicare Health story began in Western Australia in the 1980s, but the Dartnall family’s tradition of building practical solutions for others goes back much further. Across generations, that same spirit of service, ingenuity and care has taken different forms, from homes and public infrastructure to assistive technology that helps people live more independently.

1591

1591

Built for Family

The Dartnall family’s story can be traced to Poundsbridge Manor in Kent, England. The home was built by brothers Bryan and John Dartnall for their father, William, and completed in the 1590s.

Their work helped establish what later became R. Durtnell & Sons, a family construction business passed from one generation to the next.

More than four centuries later, Poundsbridge Manor still stands - a lasting connection to a family tradition of building practical things for the people who depend on them.

1892

1892

Building Western Australia

In January 1892, engineer William Whitney Dartnall arrived in Perth after working with New Zealand Railways and as a consulting engineer. He joined the Western Australian Public Works Department after being recruited by renowned engineer C.Y. O’Connor.

William contributed to important infrastructure associated with Western Australia’s development, including Fremantle Harbour, the Harvey Irrigation Scheme, The Horseshoe Bridge, The Barrack Street Bridge and The Fremantle Railway Station.

His work continued a family tradition of applying knowledge and practical skill to projects designed to serve the community.

Nearly a century later, that practical spirit of service found a new purpose through Bill Dartnall and his determination to improve mobility and independence for Australians.

1980s

1980s

A Wacky Start

Russel "Bill" Dartnall, known as Wacky to his friends, was a brilliant inventor with a habit of knocking his knuckles against his hip - whack! Bill was a family man who cared deeply about his wife, mother, and sons. So, when his mother’s knees began to fail, he took her to America to get the surgery she needed. Inspired by the mobility innovations he witnessed, he became determined to make a difference back home in Australia.

1985

1985

Humble Beginnings

With his sights set on improving accessibility, Bill imported Perth’s very first three-wheeled electric mobility scooters from Canada.

1985

1985

Commitment to care

After borrowing a trailer from a family friend, he brought these home and started a business from his home garage. Bill was committed to exceptional service, so he personally drove each scooter to his customers—no matter where they were.

1990

1990

River Abilities

With his commitment to empowering people in need, Bill sold an impressive 26 scooters each month. Growing more and more popular by the day, he knew it was time to expand his impact. So, Bill started River Abilities; a workshop dedicated to inventing custom wheelchair accessories and mobility solutions. From his workshop, he pioneered many innovative solutions that delivered comfort and independence to people living with disabilities.

1995

1995

Passing the Torch

Although Bill's health began to decline, his legacy did not. When he stepped back from the business, his sons—Greg, Nick, and Sam—stepped up and carried on their father's tradition of innovation, compassion, and care.

2006

2006

ISO Certification

The brothers’ unwavering dedication paid off with ISO certification, which globally recognized them for their commitment to quality, reliability, and excellent business management. The ISO 9001 recognises effective processes and well-trained staff, who consistently deliver high-quality products and services.

2008

2008

Building The Business

As the years went by, the brothers founded many brands like Fortress, Ansa, and Cura, with a goal to deliver expert-led services and product designs to meet their customers' unique needs. Together, they continued to expand the business to new heights.

2008

2008

Customised Care

Every person is different and has different needs. So, the brothers made it their mission to empower people with custom assistive technology solutions. Whether they were building fitted wheelchair ramps for cars or making custom scooter accessories like child carriers and sunshades, they helped each individual find more independence in their daily lives.

2009

2009

Embracing Mobility

One example of their dedication to care was the invention of raised seating technology for wheelchairs, which enabled people to lift or lower themselves throughout the day. That way, users could enjoy more freedom to navigate the world.

2010

2010

Reclaiming Independence

The brothers also helped people embrace life with innovative equipment customisations. For instance, by attaching unique input controls to mobility chairs, they opened up a world of control and independence for individuals without the use of their arms or hands.

2013

2013

Unicare Health is Born

Seeing their impact spread far and wide, the brothers realized they could achieve something extraordinary together. And so, River Abilities was rebranded to Unicare Health, with a focus on 'the Enabling Power of Applied Knowledge' - a promise to promote health, happiness, and empowerment through education and expertly designed products.

2013

2013

Why is Unicare Called Unicare?

Our name reflects our commitment to caring for individuals by delivering unique solutions to match their needs. It also reflects our dedication to comprehensive care in hospitals, homes, and beyond. Our mission is to empower people with compassion and expertise through every step of their journey. We understand that care is more than just rehabilitation - it's about providing support and relief to those who need it most. We are driven to care for all people, no matter what stage of life they are in.

2018

2018

Stop the Pressure

Our commitment to caring above and beyond continued with Stop the Pressure: an ongoing campaign to raise awareness of pressure injuries, which cause significant harm and cost Australian hospitals billions every year. Thanks to Stop the Pressure, early warning signs are reported more often, which has led to more reliable protection from pressure injuries.

2019

2019

Safe Seniors

Ensuring the safety and comfort of our older community has been in Unicare’s heart ever since Bill set out to support his mother. These values led us to create Safe Seniors: an impactful campaign to encourage healthy ageing through helpful tips and tricks. At Unicare, we care about empowering older people to stay safe, confident, and active every day.

2022

2022

More Than Care

After many years of exceptional care, Unicare’s spirit of compassion and innovation only continued to grow. Thus, we promised to ‘More Than Care’, making our commitment to always go above and beyond for our community. With compassion and expertise, we strive to constantly evolve our products and services to change peoples’ lives for the better and make Australia a more caring place.

2022

2022

Unicare Expands

As Unicare grew, it was time to expand beyond Bill’s workshop. So, we built a brand new office and showroom right next door, designed to provide an exceptional experience. Bill’s historic building still holds a special place in our hearts, and now it serves as part of our training central.

2024

2024

Assistive Technology Collaboration Centre

With passion and ambition to innovate customer-centric care, Unicare established Australia’s first Assistive Technology Collaboration Centre. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or new to the world of assistive technology, we invite you to learn, share, and explore new discoveries in our premium showroom, studio, and gallery experience.

2024+

2024+

Our Ongoing Commitment

At Unicare, our dedication to more than care guides our every step. The spirit of compassion, dedication, and innovation that Bill embodied continues to inspire us to this day, as we strive to support people through even their toughest challenges. We aim to make the world a more caring place, one act of kindness at a time.