St George Association for People with Physical Disabilities

Today, 6th April 2002, marks a momentous occasion in the life of the St George Association for People with Physical Disabilities Inc. Many years ago, in 1963, a visionary group of people with disabilities recognised the need for fully accessible accommodation in the general St George area. Coupled with the proposed accommodation, they planned to provide a centre for what was then known as the Fellowship to meet.

Based on the Committee's decision, sketches were drawn by the Treasurer of the day, the late Gwen Tubb, as a discussion starter. And as you can imagine, the discussions certainly started! The basic design changed significantly as time passed and new ideas bubbled forth. During this time, fund raising was being concentrated on the project and numerous activities were being conducted.

Several properties came to light over the years, whilst the Fellowship was part of a larger organisation, now known as the Australian Foundation for Disabled. Unfortunately, negotiations were difficult and the properties passed on by. Eventually, in 1977, the St George Fellowship decided to form itself into an autonomous group, and the St George Association was born. Never once during these hard times did the Association lose its vision for its project, despite numerous battles with funding. At one stage, a very attractive parcel of land in Peakhurst became available and promising negotiations were held with the Government. Sadly, there was a ground swell of public disquiet created by political activists at the time and it became impossible to continue the struggle.

Amazingly, in the mid eighties, a former neighbour of Patricia Rich (now my beautiful wife), the Association's Honorary Secretary, generously donated a large sum of money towards the project. Suddenly, the project seemed an absolute reality rather than a dream, and planning began in earnest.

Suitable properties were not that easy to find as there was a beginning of the property boom at that precise period, but we kept looking. In 1992, we were very excited to learn of this site to be auctioned as a package, with enormous potential indicated by the two blocks, relatively flat, with a lovely house and a dilapidated warehouse that begged to be knocked over. We'll never forget the trauma of the auction night, 3rd June 1992, with bidding very lively and our maximum figure within sight. To our delight, the bidding stopped just short and we were able to negotiate the purchase.

An architect, Gary Lewin, was engaged to draft conceptual drawings. Meetings of the I Association's Management Committee began to be more intense *as strategies were developed to achieve the long held ambition. Negotiations began with the Council and we were on our way.

It was decided to renovate the house first, to a point where three residents in of fully accessible accommodation could live comfortably. The Department of Housing were very helpful in acting as the Clerk of Works and co ordinating all the necessary work. The Association is very proud of the work done as it provides an excellent facility for the residents.

When the Association was ready to begin the second stage, the construction of the Centre, the Olympics building program was in full swing. Gary Lewin completed the plans and specifications and we tried to get quotations. It was really difficult to find builders willing to quote, let alone do the work. Quite by chance, the Association learned of a company called Paynter Dixon and they were asked to look at the tender. They won the bid and proved to be an excellent choice. The facility we are gathered before today is the result of very careful and craftsman like effort by the team and the Centre is all we could have hoped for. Our thanks to Craig Shepherd and Kirk Bolte for their professionalism.

I want to thank the many people that have contributed so much over so long so, get us to here today. Firstly, the members of the Association's Management Committee, for the original dream Ron Morcom, President, Bob Markkanen, Deputy President, Jean Davis (then Adnum), Secretary, Gwen Tubb, Treasurer, Patricia Byrne (then Rich), Assistant Secretary, Betty Alwin, Barbara Draper and Irene Keane. It is great that two are with us today to witness the opening of the Centre, but 1 am sure the others are looking down on us today with pride at the realisation of their long held goal.

The mighty efforts of our supporters over all these years that helped to build the coffers to the point where the Association could seriously consider progressing the project and they deserve our deepest appreciation. In 1965, a sum of 800 pounds was presented to the Fellowship by the folding Eastern Suburbs Fellowship as the first "major" donation to the project. In 1970, a fete was held in the garage of Mrs Olive Hale by Her grand daughter and her friend, both Brownies at the time, to raise some money for the project. We are thrilled to advise that their Mums, Marge Lotty and Yvonne Williams, are still tireless supporters, still conducting stalls and fund raising events and are generously providing the afternoon tea that will follow.

In 1954, the St George and Sutherland Master Plumbers and Mechanical Contractors decided to provide some transport for members to attend the first meeting of the St George Fellowship. In the early years, the drivers such as Gordon Nicholls and Arthur Green used to refer the task as the Milk Run, because it was that late at night, or early in the morning, that they got home after dropping members at their homes. The Plumbers remain as a very great friend and supporter, still providing transport through Carl Martin, Dennis Garfield and others for those that require assistance to our meetings and have been generous contributors, financially, throughout the years towards the Association's project.

In 1959, the Five Dock RSL stepped in to assist members from that area to get to meetings and they also continue to assist today. I remember great characters like Don Connell and Alan Chick who were drivers for many years. Today, it is difficult to get drivers but the Club does provide us with financial support for transport. Sadly, one of their stalwarts and a terrific friend to the Association, George Venn, died just two months ago and I know he would have loved to be here today. Through Sam Sleeman and Gordon Hill, the RSL has maintained its interest and has been a generous contributor towards our project.

In 1981, I was asked to speak to the Lions Club of Oatley about the International Year of Disabled People. From that night, the Oatley Lions have been tremendous supporters of the Association and have contributed significantly to our activities, both physically and financially. Hugh Joy, Bob Carveth, Ken Nimmo, John Chate and their current President Kevin Parker and many others have been a great assistance to the Association over these past twenty years.

In 1988, Miriam Green, a neighbour of Patricia, generously donated $250,000 to the Association in memory of her late husband, Maurie, as a major boost towards the realisation of our project. As you would expect, this fabulous support enabled the Association to be really serious about getting the project on the ground. In recognition of this major contribution, the Centre bears the name "Bel" for Belmore., and "Green" for both Miriam and Maurie.

For several years, renowned Mouth Artist, Margaret Greig, and her friends provided their property at Londonderry as the venue for tremendous Art and Craft exhibitions, which drew interest from far and wide. The outcome of these exhibitions was generously donated to the Association for the project.

A group of ladies from the North Ryde Community Church Fellowship have generously donated funds toward our project on a regular basis for many years, for which we are most grateful.

A number of members, their families and friends have kindly remembered the Association in their Will, or through donations in their memory, and contributed significant amounts towards the project through the years.

The Lady Mayoress Fund of Hurstville City Council, under the most enthusiastic guidance of Joanne Josey, very kindly adopted the Association as its major recipient of their fund raising, donating a wonderful amount towards the project. We were most grateful to the then Member for Georges River, Marie Ficarra, for her support during this time.

Through our great friend and supporter, Maude Chin, the Association was most grateful to become the recipient of a grant from than Australian Chinese Foundation to purchase equipment and furniture for the Centre.

There have been literally hundreds of contributors over the past forty years, including our parents and immediate family that have done so much towards getting the funds together. Importantly, in recent years, we owe a huge debt of gratitude to Betty Alwin, our fund raising convenor, and her band of ladies, ably assisted by many members and friends, that create such beautiful work for sale at our stalls. Their efforts have added an extra boost to the quality of the goods on offer and consequently the funds towards the project.

Money aside, I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge the fantastic commitment of members of the Management Committee, both past and present. I know if I begin to mention all that have been involved, I will miss someone and cause offence. However, I must mention the special effort put in by Gwen and Patricia through all the planning and negotiation. Gwen was tremendous in keeping close attention to the renovations to the house and the drafting of the Centre's plans and she maintained a deep commitment to the provision of a quality meeting room at Belgreen. Patricia has been heavily involved in the day to day dealing with Council, the contractors and all and sundry and has also maintained a deep commitment to the Association's goal. A fabulous effort from all the team who have given their time and energy so generously.

I also acknowledge the members from years gone by and their families and friends that have joined us here to day to celebrate our achievement. It has been a long journey but a pleasurable one due in no small part to the effort of so many wonderful people. I thank you all enormously.

I now call upon her Worship, The Honorable Kayee Griffin, Mayor of Canterbury City Council, to honour us by opening the Belgreen Centre.