Minister Opens Innisfail Respite Service on Larry Anniversary
On Tuesday 20 March the Minister for Disability Services, the
Hon. Warren Pitt MP, marked the first anniversary of Cyclone
Larry by officiating the opening ceremony for Endeavour Foundation’s new overnight accommodation respite service in Innisfail.
 Endeavour acquired ‘Emmaus House’, which was purpose built by Queensland Housing, from the Johnstone Shire Council to
use as an overnight accommodation respite service.
Disability Services Queensland (DSQ) are funding the service
and funding approval was notified the week after Cyclone Larry hit Innisfail. The house was required as emergency accommodation for Innisfail Youth and Family Care until 24 November. Endeavour moved in on 27 November, with the first ‘guest’ arriving 9 December 2006.
The Service has four beds available for stays of up to two weeks, which can be booked in advance, and one emergency bed. Respite is offered to persons with a disability aged from 6 to 65 years, who are registered with DSQ.
Endeavour Respite Service Manager Maree Kondisenko said ninety families had been identified in the Innisfail/Cardwell area as in need of accommodation respite, prior to lodging the funding submission.
“The service has been popular with Innisfail families since it commenced operation and has enabled some families to take their first ever vacation,” she said.
DSQ have also funded Endeavour to manage their ‘Older Parent/Carer Respite Project’ which has recently commenced. The purpose of this project is to identify those older parent/carers in the area who are in need of respite for their family member with a disability, and to assist in future planning for families and for DSQ. For further information contact the Project Officer, Lauris McFadzean on 4061 6264
 Download Media Release
|
