Leading aged care provider, Juniper, has opened the Beryl Grant Community Centre, an exciting new multi-purpose building in Lockyer, Albany, which is catering to the needs of a growing population and diversity of community organisations.
Vaughan Harding, Juniper’s Chief Executive, launched the centre and said the project acknowledges the great contribution of Beryl Grant, a female pioneer of community service in WA, and that the facility is part of Juniper’s broader plans in the Great Southern that will see the creation of a major new service hub for the community and older residents.
“With this new centre we aim to provide a high quality, thriving and welcoming community space, providing the local area with access to a vast range of activities, services and programs,” he said.
“The Beryl Grant Community Centre is a place where people can meet and where families can gather and there are openings for local groups who are invited to take up space to offer their services from the centre.”
Created in consultation with a local Community Advisory Group and utilising local architects, builders and suppliers, the well-appointed building has been carefully designed to cater for a variety of uses.
Features include multipurpose function rooms, a workshop space, a café, kitchen facilities and a barbeque area. The facility will also provide office accommodation for sister Uniting Church agency, UnitingCare West, boosting its capacity to deliver its services to the community.
“The opening of the centre is the first stage of Juniper’s long-term vision for the Lockyer site which includes a new 100-bed residential aged care facility, to meet the growing demand in the Great Southern,” Vaughan said.
Additional proposed plans for the site include the creation of more retirement living units and the development of other health and community services to be created in collaboration with other partner organisations.
Beryl Grant AO OBE was Juniper’s first female Chairperson and the first female Moderator of the Uniting Church WA. She made an outstanding contribution to families and communities in Western Australia throughout her life.
Born in 1921, Beryl trained as a nurse at the children’s hospital, studied childcare and worked closely withunmarried mothers. In 1979 she was appointed a special Magistrate at the Perth’s Children’s Court and also became the first Matron at Ngala Mothercraft and Training Centre.
Beryl was also a former national president of the Royal College of Nursing. Her enormous achievements and contributions have been recognised with many awards, including an OBE and AO for her services to nursing and the community, particularly in rural and remote areas.
Beryl was able to be present at the opening of the new Juniper centre via online services. She sadly passed away on Saturday 4 November at Juniper St Andrews in Balcatta. Turn to page 1 5 to read more.
For more information and bookings at the centre, visit juniper.org.au/beryl-grant-centre, email the Centre Co-ordinator at colleen.tombleson@juniper.org.au or call during office hours on 9842 6552.
