30/5/01
A respite centre for the elderly and disabled was opened today in Koongamia by the Housing Minister Tom Stephens.
Mr Stephens said Centenary House was an outstanding example of a successful project developed when the community, Government and private industry worked together in partnership.
"The initiative of the Hills Community Support Group is to be particularly commended for bringing the project to fruition," he said.
"The group worked tirelessly to fund the construction of the centre, with the assistance of many Government agencies and private companies.
"The Ministry of Housing provided a site at less than a third of market value at $20,000 and this was paid for by the Shire of Mundaring."
Mr Stephens said support, in kind donations and funding were received from the Lotteries Commission, the Health Department, Midland Brick, the North East Regional Youth Council and architectural firm, Bruce Callow and Associates.
Centenary House is situated on the corner of Jinda Road and Scott Street.
Mr Stephens said the Hills Community Support Group provided an outstanding range of community services for disadvantaged people including:
- youth services for those at risk;
- work for the dole program;
- Open Options - alternative work options for school leavers with a disability;
- Hills Support Group for Women with Physical Disabilities;
- advocacy support;
- Home and Community Care Support Services;
- respite services;
- hostel services; and
- work options - to provide meaningful work options for people with a psychiatric or intellectual disability; and
- Rainbow - provision of housing or support to people with psychiatric disability.
Mr Stephens said that the building of Centenary House represented a local community's determination to take ownership of its own social obligations and to improve the life of its local citizens.
Media contact: Julie Cole 9213 6500
