Local disability services provider Sylvanvale held a highly successful 70th anniversary cocktail party at Hazelhurst Regional Gallery and Arts Centre on Friday, June 23.
The $62,000 raised from the event means that Sylvanvale can now proceed with a renovation of the community hub Garden House in Sutherland, where recreational, enterprise and permaculture activities are held for people of all abilities.
Garden House currently has issues preventing some people from being part of its activities, including no accessible ramps to enter the house, poor drainage, uneven pavers, a very small and impractical kitchen and lack of accessible toilet.
During the event, Jack Kelly, who recently joined Sylvanvale’s centre-based activities at Garden House, explained how he is unable to fully participate due to its accessibility issues.
Guests included Sutherland Shire mayor Carmelo Pesce, Councillor Steve Simpson, Sylvanvale board members Jeff McCarthy, Robert Brown, David Kelly, David Rafferty and John Slack and members of Sylvanvale’s founding families.
The event was supported by major sponsors Total Car Body repairs, Westfield Miranda, Edmen, Singleton Moore Signs, Club Central and mySupply Store.
Cathy Quinn, executive general manager, customer and community relations at Sylvanvale, said, “The success of our 70th anniversary cocktail party is thanks to the very generous support of businesses and individuals. We are grateful for their contribution and excited we can now make Garden House accessible and a place that everyone can enjoy.”
