Murray Bridge-based CLA Foundation, associated with disability provider Community Living Australia, winds up after 10 years
CLA Foundation winds up after 10 years
Former Community Lifestyles chairman Ken Coventry, outgoing CLA Foundation chairman Des Warner and Community Living Australia client David Scrimshaw visit the house refurbished with the last of the foundation's funds.
Mayor Brenton Lewis and Mr Warner unveil a plaque at the property.
CLA Foundation trustees Di and Ken Coventry, Wendy Gaborit, Des Warner, Lorraine Baker and Kym Lynch gather at the event.
Community Lifestyles board member Chris Herbig, chairman Ken Coventry and board members Reg Emes and Roz McGowan announce the foundation's creation on the organisation's 25th anniversary. Photo: File.
After 10 years of fundraising to improve the lives of people with a disability, the Murray Bridge-based CLA Foundation is winding up.
But first, it passed on one final gift.
The former Community Lifestyles foundation was formed in 2009 to receive cash donations and property bequests on behalf of the organisation now known as Community Living Australia.
But the advent of the National Disability Insurance Scheme in 2016 changed funding models in the disability sector, leading the foundation's directors to realise it was no longer needed.
Its parting gift, delivered on Thursday, was a $60,000 donation which enabled the refurbishment of a Murray Bridge property used for respite.
The house had previously been used as residential accommodation.
The addition of ramps and a bed lift and modification of the bathroom, among other measures, will enable children or adults to enjoy short stays there, away from their families for a few days or a week at a time, whatever their needs.
Community Living Australia (CLA) chief executive Mark Kulinski described the respite facility's completion as an exciting and important step.
"Now we can meet the needs of the local community, children and adults with a disability, to help them achieve their goals – and have a break from their families, and vice versa – so they can work on other things," he said.
CLA deputy chair Jill Coombe said the house would be a place children and adults living with disability could have some respite, have fun and learn a few things along the way.
She thanked the foundation for its "significant" long-term support.
"They leave behind a great legacy and will be remembered for the work they've done," she said.
- Read more: Charity golf day
Des Warner, the foundation's outgoing chair, thanked the people and businesses of Murray Bridge and the surrounding district, and the staff at Community Living Australia, for their support.
"All I'd ask, with the demise of the foundation, is to urge the people of this area to continue to support the disabled members of our community," he said.
"The social fabric of an area can be seen in the way you treat the aged, the sick and the disabled.
"Murray Bridge has a very strong social fabric."
Note: An earlier version of this story gave an incorrect title for Ken Coventry.