A new home in Ocean Grove for people living with disability was unveiled this week and the keys handed over to eager residents.
The purpose-built home was made possible by genU and Lions Club of Ocean Grove Barwon Heads and at the official opening on Tuesday August 27, residents were excited to step inside for the first time.
Chair of the Joint Standing Committee on the National Disability Insurance Scheme and Member for Corangamite Libby Coker joined residents, family, Lions C and genU staff to celebrate the opening.
Seachange Quilters generously handmade and donated quilts to all new residents.
genU Director of Residential Services Jason Fleming said residents would gain many benefits from the new premises.
“A purpose-built disability home like this empowers its residents to live with independence in their local community, allowing support, tailored according to their needs, to be delivered in their own home,” he said.
The home boasts four separate bedrooms, all with ensuites, common area living areas, kitchen, laundry and storage, with an additional second living area to cater for family visits. There is overnight onsite accommodation for a support worker.
Andrew Brideson has called Ocean Grove home for 15 years and was excited to move into his new house. He liked what he saw, giving the home a thumbs up and it looked “new and nice”.
Lions Club of Ocean Grove Barwon Heads president Bob Marmion said the club, which has a 30-plus year history of ensuring affordable accommodation is available in the community, was delighted to be involved in the project.
“Our financial contribution to the project would not have been possible without the support of the Corless Family who donated land that we used to build on,” he said.
“This in turn allowed the Barwon Grove Foundation, led by Lions Bill Willocks, Howard Deane and John Brady to raise the funds for community housing. When we saw the success of genU’s Tara’s Dream project, we decided that genU was the best vehicle to see our plans come to fruition.”
