Premier opens new SWARA Centre at Dutton Park

Premier Anna Bligh today officially opened the new Dutton Park facilities of the Sunshine Welfare and Remedial Association (SWARA), started more than 30 years ago by two sisters affectionately known as ‘the Pink Twins’.

The late Dorothy O’Brien first opened the SWARA centre on vacant railway land in College Road, Spring Hill in 1975 to provide fulfilling and constructive activities for adults with a disability. She was later joined in her endeavours by her sister, Moyia.

The O’Brien twins, who shared a passion for the colour pink, developed a small community organisation offering programs and activities to develop and enhance a broad range of independent living and social skills, such as meal preparation, cooking, cleaning, singing and dancing.

The Queensland Government provided funds totalling $2.7 million to relocate the Association from a collection of old cottages, sheds and demountable buildings at Spring Hill to the former Dutton Park Special Education site in Park Road.

“SWARA is an exceptional example of community champions making a real difference in the lives of Queenslanders,” Ms Bligh said.

“The work of Dorothy and Moyia has created an active and positive environment for clients aged 18 – 70, and SWARA now caters for 120 Queenslanders with a disability,” Ms Bligh said.

“SWARA has operated against the odds for many years in less-than-ideal surroundings, but the faith and determination of the O’Brien twins has seen them through.

“Moyia was a Queensland finalist in last year’s Senior Australian of the Year for her inspirational commitment to her cause, and I know she will bring her trademark warmth to SWARA’s new home.

“The new Dutton Park location provides custom-made facilities to deliver training in independent living skills, an administration section, courtyards, metal workshop, bakery, outdoor area, open space and garden.

“This is a new beginning for SWARA – one that I know Moyia is proud of and one that I wish Dorothy was here to see,” she said.

Public Works Minister Robert Schwarten said the Bligh Government was proud to assist such a worthwhile community organisation.

“The Department of Public Works will lease the refurbished Dutton Park facility to the Association for a peppercorn rental,” he said.

“Not only will clients have more suitable access to public transport at the nearby Dutton Park railway station, the long-term tenure will give them and the Association certainty in the future,” he said.

The land previously occupied by the Sunshine Welfare and Remedial Association is situated within the boundaries of the Roma Street Precinct Redevelopment Project, announced by Premier Bligh in November 2007.

The proposed redevelopment is focused on enabling better commuter, pedestrian and cyclist access to surrounding precincts.

An extended public consultation period closed at the beginning of February 2008.

Tuesday, 20 May 2008

Media: 3224 4500 (Premier’s office) or 3237 1184 (Minister Schwarten’s office)