In June, we opened the doors to our newest Specialist Disability Accommodation homes in Illawong, and it was a special moment for everyone involved.
We were proud to be joined by the Governor of New South Wales, Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC KC, who unveiled a plaque and spoke about the difference homes like these make for people living with disability.
It was also great to see so many familiar faces there, including Sutherland Shire Mayor Cr Jack Boyd, members of our Board and leadership team, and importantly, some of the people we support along with their families and carers.
Leanne Fretten, our Chief Executive Officer, said the opening marked an important moment for Sylvanvale.
“These homes have been designed in close partnership with the people who will live in them, with a focus on making everyday life more comfortable, more independent and more connected,” Ms Fretten said.
Each home has been thoughtfully set up to support different needs. They include features like accessible kitchens and bathrooms, adjustable fittings, and technology-ready systems. There are also small touches that make a big difference, like heated flooring for comfort and materials that are built to last.
The homes mark a fresh chapter for the seven people moving in. Alissa, Elizabeth, Fiona, Kieren, Matthew, Michael, and James will all be calling Illawong home. This move will be the first time James has lived outside of his family home, and he is looking forward to gaining more independence. While Elizabeth has lived in other Supported Independent Living homes before, she is joining the Sylvanvale family for the first time and hopes to live at Illawong permanently.
Others are moving from existing Sylvanvale homes into spaces that better suit their needs. Michael, Matthew and Kieren have been living together for the past three years, and staying together was important to their families and to Sylvanvale. Matthew also has a special connection to the site, having lived there before it was redeveloped. Fiona and Alissa were both living in different Sylvanvale homes before settling nicely into their new home in Illawong.
Sylvanvale Chairman, Jeff McCarthy, said: “This project goes to the very heart of what Sylvanvale stands for. These innovative new homes will support independence, choice, social connection, inclusion, and equality for people living with disability. Simply said, they will empower people to live more independent lives.”
In a speech at the opening ceremony, the Governor said: “Since 1970, It has been a proud tradition for the Governor of New South Wales to serve as Patron of Sylvanvale. In that time, Sylvanvale has continued to develop a model which is modern, relevant, and simply making life normal for each of the people they support. I am honoured to officially open these beautiful homes that will enable people with a disability to live well.”
