Disability expo Launceston

Join us on June 29, from 9:00 am at the Launceston Conference Centre as we proudly exhibit at the Aged and Disability expo at Launceston. The event is free for attendees!

The organisers are providing 6 hours of entertainment including a Magician, Fun Photo Booth, Live Music, Make Believe Entertainment, Face Painting, Hourly Prizes, Balloon Artistry and a special appearance from Expo Man. You won’t want to miss it.

The event is aimed at caregivers, families, friends and people with a disability to connect, share stories, seek the support you need.

If you’re attending, we would love for you to stop by and say hello! look out for our booth and sign!

Note: The photo below was from a career expo!

Historical building saved

Last year, we embarked on a project to preserve our historic stable building, which faced a serious threat: a massive crack running along the northern wall of the stable. This wasn’t just any crack; it was a glaring sign of major displacement, outward bowing, and and weathered mortar joints. The very integrity and safety of this architectural gem were at stake, and without intervention, we risked witnessing the collapse of the wall.

We applied for funding from the “Built Heritage Grants Scheme” to help us with the costs of fixing the cracks in this building and stabilise the foundation. We are overjoyed to share that our application was successful and thanks to this support, we have under taken the works needed to prevent the collapse of the wall and ensure the building’s future.

The first two photos below captures the alarming state of the cracked wall before the restoration efforts began, while the next photos showcases the transformed fixed wall.

Many thanks again to the Built Heritage Grants Scheme - without your support many historical building would be lost!

Minister visits Eskleigh

On Monday, the Hon Bridget McKenzie, Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development, and Leader of the Nationals in the Senate, visited Eskleigh for a tour.  Accompanied by Sophie Davidson, CEO, and board member Lindsay Scott, Senator McKenzie explored our beautiful Eskleigh historical home and its facilities, which include both long-term and short-term disability accommodation, as well as respite services.

During her visit, Senator McKenzie expressed her gratitude, stating, “Thank you for hosting us and giving us a guided tour. Congratulations on the wonderful work you are doing at Eskleigh House; it really is a sunny, happy place with a wonderful caring atmosphere.”

Her acknowledgment of the efforts by the Eskleigh team underscores the importance of such initiatives in fostering inclusive communities and providing essential support for people with a disability.

Baptist Church visit

A couple of weeks ago, a group from the Citywide Baptist church based in Mornington made a special visit to Eskleigh while attending their church camp at the Perth Baptist Church. One of the key topics of discussion during their stay was the rich history of the Baptist Church in Tasmania, which began with the Gibson family in Perth. They sold Merino Rams to build 12 of the Baptist buildings around the state and to pay for pastors from London to serve at those churches. It was their son, William Gibson Jr, who was the original owner of Eskleigh.

One of the Elders of Perth Baptist church, Tony Hart, welcomed the 80 people from Citywide and shared some of the history from Julian Burgess’s book, “Home of Peace”, which explores Eskleigh’s past. On a beautiful mid-morning, they walked from the church to Eskleigh, where they explored the historic building and garden. 

Many thanks to Andrew Westwood, who was the official guide for the day. A big thank you for sharing your insights and knowledge with the group!

Staff Profile-Devendra Acharya

What kind of food do you like?  I don’t really have a favourite food - I like everything.

What is your favourite movie? I don’t really watch movies…if there is one on I usually fall asleep!

 What music do you like?  Country songs and some hip hops.

 What is your favourite Icecream?  I’m not really a fan of sweets!

What is your favourite colour?   Green.

What is your favourite place to visit in Tasmania?  Ben Lomond. I love to drive and see the view!

What's your favourite childhood memory?   Wrestling with my friends in the garden.

What was your favourite subject at school?   Maths  - In High School I got 100/100 for Maths.

What do you enjoy doing in your free time? I like to write - mainly fiction and novels. Two of my books have been published in Nepal and i’m working on one at the moment but I haven’t finished it yet. The first book was about recognising yourself and the second book had 8 different stories in it.

 What is your favourite sport to play? Cricket! I play for Perth Cricket Club.

 What do you value most in friendship?  Keeping clear conversations and helping people when they need help.

What are you most proud of?  I’m most proud of my wife and daughter and I’m proud of my writing too!

What’s something you never leave home without?  My phone.

 What are you most grateful for? Life its self.

What is something fun that nobody at Eskleigh knows about you?  That I write! They know crazy I am for sports and watching football.

Community Garden update

Significant progress has been made behind the scenes to launch our community garden. We recently met with Jeff McClintoff from UTAS to discuss our plans, and he is currently working on some designs for us. We have received a fencing quote, and since our chosen site features two brick walls, it will not only offer excellent wind protection but it means we only have to fence two sides. Additionally, a contractor will be coming out next week to provide a quote for leveling the ground.

We also attended the Tamar NRM community autumn garden gathering at the Heritage Forest Community Garden, where we gained valuable insights and support. Over the next month, we anticipate that some structural work will commence. We will keep you updated on our progress, and we extend our gratitude to those who have already volunteered! If you’re interested in getting involved, please reach out via email at mengland@eskleigh.com.au. The below photos are from the Heritage Forest Community Garden Mowbray.

Launceston knitting group

For the past 11 years, the Launceston Knitters Group has been a vibrant community of 25 passionate knitters who gather monthly to share lunch and their love for knitting. Recently, Mary Dunn, a member of the group, reached out to Eskleigh to offer a generous donation of beautifully knitted items. Sisters Christine and Patricia arrived with a large bag filled with assorted creations, thrilled to contribute and witness firsthand the joy their gifts would bring to our residents. They were also impressed by the architecture and features of our building.

Mary shared that the group is composed of bright and lively individuals who cherish their time together. The joy they experience is not only from crafting their beloved items but also from knowing the happiness they bring to those who receive them. The Knitters Group generously donates to various aged care organisations throughout the greater Launceston area, extending their outreach to Campbell Town. Their compassionate work also includes knitting items for the homeless, which are distributed through charitable organisations, as well as gifts for new mothers and their babies at the Launceston General Hospital.

At Eskleigh, we are incredibly grateful for the support and thoughtful donations from the Launceston Knitters Group. On behalf of our staff and residents, we extend our heartfelt thanks for the hard work and love that goes into each knitted piece.

Media - Jardine opening

Mothers Day at Perth Baptist Church

Mother’s Day morning tea, on Saturday, at the Perth Baptist Church was a delightful gathering. A total of 62 attendees joined, including 10 from Eskleigh, representing a wonderful mix of family groups and generations.

Sophie shared updates about what’s happening at Eskleigh and highlighted the significance of Perth Baptist in our history.

The morning tea was truly exceptional, featuring an array of dainty, mini treats such as sandwiches, quiches, pies, and an assortment of delicious cakes and slices. The standout items were the large, scrumptious scones served with jam and cream—definitely not mini and utterly delightful!

Guests enjoyed quizzes and games, with fun facts such as the mother with the most children having six and one attendee celebrating over 60 years of motherhood. The atmosphere was filled with great conversations among both new and old friends.

Career Expo

Eskleigh participated in a Co-Op Schools Careers Expo last night. The event, which is a collaborative effort between Launceston Christian School, Launceston Church Grammar School, and Scotch Oakburn College, aims to provide students with career exploration opportunities. There were about 65 exhibitors.

Board update- Philippa Dawson

I am Launceston born and bred and have had the opportunity to live and work around the world with geographically dispersed and culturally diverse teams in a 20 year career in Federal Government predominantly in the Foreign Affairs and Trade portfolio.

An Economist, with a particular focus on marketing and communications, I have held key roles such as Chief Operating Officer at the Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade) and also Head of Trade where I was responsible for Australia's trade promotion strategies for Australian businesses and work with them to achieve commercial outcomes.    

My passion is to help individuals, communities and businesses to be the best they can be and to use my communication, strategy, coaching and people skills effectively to do this. I have worked on a number of different boards - from start-ups to well-established organisations.

I returned to Tasmania in 2018 and joined the Eskleigh board in 2024.  Eskleigh has always had a special place in my heart.  My father, Ron, was a life member and served on the Board for many years.  As a teenager Dad even managed to convince me to run a number of the children’s games stalls in the days when Eskleigh ran a fete.

Eskleigh has such a positive impact on the lives of the people we support.  Our staff undertake the work they do with such passion and dedication and I am often amazed at how they are continually coming up with new initiatives to make Eskleigh even better.

It is a privilege to be part of the wonderful team at Eskleigh. 

Staff Profile - Stacie Ryan

I have been at Eskeigh for four years, and I truly love it. The people we support are amazing, and I take great joy in seeing them everyday and cooking for them.

What kind of foods do you like?
I enjoy Italian cuisine, a good roast, and have a sweet tooth for cakes, biscuits, and chocolates. There aren’t many foods I dislike!

What’s your favourite movie?
The Notebook.

What kind of music do you like?
I love music from the ’60s, ’70s, and ’80s, with favorites like Van Morrison and Bob Seger.

What is your favourite ice cream?
Vanilla (though I can’t have it).

What is your favourite colour?
Black, white, and beige.

What is your favourite place in Tasmania to visit?
Visiting my son in Hobart.

What’s your favourite childhood memory
Brushing my mom’s wavy hair; she was a beautiful person inside and out.

What was your favourite school subject?
Physical Education (PE).

What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
I enjoy gardening and walking with my Maltese Shih Tzu, Popeye. I also love decluttering—it’s incredibly satisfying!

What is your favourite sport to play?
I used to do long distance running up until my mid-forties.  

What do you bring most to a friendship?
I’m a good listener and I don’t judge. I bring love and care to my friendships.

What are you most proud of?
I’m most proud of my son, who has recently been promoted to management at his tech company.

What is something you never leave home without?
I never leave home without my lipstick.

What are you most grateful for?
I’m grateful every morning for my life, job, and the loving friendships I have.

What is something fun that nobody at Eskleigh knows about you?
I have many quirky traits that my colleagues at Eskleigh might not know!

Your role at Eskeigh Kitchen
Recently I transitioned from one of the cooks to the sole cook, preparing and cooking lunches and dinners, including all the modified foods. Up until recently the meals came from the Launceston General Hospital but now, I make them in house. I used to do all the washing of the dishes at mealtimes but now the coordinators wash the dishes or stack the dishwasher. Although the past few weeks have been challenging, I’ve felt immense support from my coworkers and management. The residents appreciate my cooking, which brings me great joy!

New VAN

We are excited to announce the arrival of our new van, a Hyundai Staria. This spacious vehicle accommodates more people with a disability, making it a perfect fit for our Supported Independent Living (SIL) program. With four standard seats and a dedicated wheelchair space, the Staria enhances both accessibility and comfort for our clients and support staff alike.

One of the standout features of the Hyundai Staria is its ease of parking, which allows for quick and efficient loading and unloading. Support workers will find that getting people in a wheelchair in and out of the van is a much simpler process.

The below photo shows support workers being trained on how to operate the wheelchair access, ensuring that everyone is well-prepared to use the bus. We are thrilled to have this new addition to our fleet, as it will significantly improve the transport experience for the people we support.

Cinema under the stars

Our outdoor cinema film night featuring “Peter Rabbit 2” was a tremendous success! It was heartwarming to see so many children enjoying face painting and playing games, while the variety of food vans added to the festive atmosphere. Thank you to all the lovely families who attended—many of whom have made this film night a tradition.

A heartfelt thank you goes out to all the staff, friends, and family members who helped set everything up. These events require considerable behind-the-scenes efforts, from ensuring the grassy area was soft and manicured, providing electricity for the food vans, setting up restrooms, organising and running children’s activities, to collecting entry fees and popping popcorn - plus so many other things too many to mention!

Your contributions made a significant difference, and Eskleigh truly shone that night. Thank you!

The Governor of Tasmania visits Eskleigh

Her Excellency the Honourable Barbara Baker AC,  Governor of Tasmania and Emeritus Professor Don Chalmers AO, visited Eskleigh Foundation at Perth.

Throughout her term, the Governor travels across Tasmania to visit all 29 Municipalities. A memorable day was spent in the Northern Midlands in February.

During Her Excellency’s visit, she engaged with schools, organisations and businesses in various towns in the Municipality, while connecting with numerous community members.

A highlight for us, was Her Excellency’s time spent at Eskleigh at Perth, where Her Excellency is also Patron.

It was a pleasure to welcome Her Excellency and Professor Chalmers and showcase the vital work we do, supporting Tasmanians living with disability.

A new Chapter in our Courtyard Garden

Our courtyard garden renovation continues with the help of a crane, lifting both garden soil and a stunning new tree into place. The old 1980 structure has been removed and sold, as it was too hot in summer and cast too much shade in winter. In its place, we’ve planted a beautiful magnolia, adding elegance and life to the space. The sight of the crane carefully manoeuvring the soil and tree over the buildings was truly remarkable, marking an exciting new chapter for our courtyard!

The Team from Pffiffer Cranes were brilliant. Dana and Shane took the time to talk to some of the people we care for and it was a real highlight for them to see the crane working! It was an absolute pleasure to have your team on site.

Deputy Premier, Guy Barnett visits Eskleigh

Deputy Premier, Guy Barnett popped into Eskleigh for a quick visit. Guy’s late cousin Jimmy lived at Eskleigh for many years.

Guy wrote on his Facebook page “A pleasure to catch up with Patrick today at Eskleigh Foundation. My late cousin Jimmy lived for many years receiving the beautiful love of those who care at Eskleigh. Thank you especially to Sophie Davidson CEO for the tour.”

Printing blocks put fresh ink on history

Tucked away in a little nook under the stairs at Eskleigh was a box of timber off-cuts. Various shapes and sizes, all covered in dust and dirt, placed there many years ago. These seemingly ordinary pieces of timber, however, hold important insights into local history.

Attached to the timber blocks are old printing plates. These plates are made of brass and bronze and hold images from the past.

Printing blocks would be covered in a thick layer of ink and then have paper pressed against them. The ink would imprint the image on the paper. Traditionally used in newspapers and magazines, printing blocks became obsolete with advancements in printer technology.

Many of the staff and residents at Eskleigh hold hidden skills, one being Jonathon Burgess, Training Coordinator, who does block printing as a hobby. Jonathon was able to make a print from one of the old printing blocks, revealing an image of a crooked timber building.

Sam Diprose Adams, Secretary of the Perth Historical Society, said the print was from the 1861 book ‘Over the Straits’ by Lousia Anne Meredith. The book tells the story of her journey from Hobart Town to Victoria in the 1850s. She stopped in Perth during her journey and sketched the building.

The print is of McLeod’s Mill which was on Old Mill Road near the Flinty Creek Viaduct

Jardine Update

All units are almost complete with final fit out being done including the installation of screens, nurse call buttons, automated locking systems and other technology. 

The ceiling hoists have been installed in unit 1 and 5 and load testing completed.  These are the only 2 units that will have ceiling hoists installed.  The remaining units have the provision in the ceilings to be installed but will be at the participants cost and funded out of their NDIS plan if they require it.

All concrete for paths and driveways have now been poured, including the slab for the BBQ shelter.

Pegging out of the front fence has been completed.

 The hot water cylinders and air conditioning units have been installed.  We have decided to screen the front side of the cylinders for improved aesthetics from the front.

All irrigation piping has been installed for the garden and lawns.

Earthmoving works for the landscaping has commenced as well as some of the pebbles already been put in place. 

All white goods, sleepover beds and linen have been ordered and the kitchen “essentials set up” items purchased. Work has commenced on the staffing roster for Jardine.

The official opening will be on 29 April at 2.30pm. 

Staff Profile - Binod Shrestha

What kind of food do you like? 

I have a deep appreciation for the traditional cuisine of Nepal and I particularly enjoy Gundruk and Dhido (fermented green dry leaves and millet porridge) alongside other classic Nepali dishes like Dal, Bhat, and Tarkari (lentil soup, steamed rice, and vegetable curry).

What is your favourite Movie? 

My favourite movie is  “Apocalypto,” directed by Mel Gibson, and I also like “Titanic.”

What kind of music do you like?  

Musically, I enjoy Nepali tragic songs as well as folk music, particularly Dohori songs.

What is your favourite Ice-cream? 

When it comes to dessert, the Macadamia-flavoured Valhalla ice cream from Tasmania is my top choice.

What is your favourite colour?  

My favourite colours are blue and maroon.

What is your favourite place to visit in Tasmania? 

My favourite places to visit in Tasmania is Bruny Island.

What's your favourite childhood memory?  

Playing cards with friends in the bush near the football ground. Despite often losing money due to bad luck, I cherished those moments, sometimes sneakily picking a little money from my dad without him knowing..

What was your favourite subject at school?  

I was particularly interested in Nepali and English literature, as well as philosophy.

What do you enjoy doing in your free time?.

In my free time, I enjoy watching movies, reading books, and taking walks for a bit of exercise.

What is your favourite hobby?

Writing poetry and reading fiction are among my favourite hobbies.

What is your favourite sport to play? 

Playing football (soccer) remains my favourite sport to play. 

What do you bring most to a friendship? 

I value honesty, positivity, and a supportive friendship attitude. Although I have a small circle of friends, I appreciate their kindness and the mutual support we provide each other in times of need.

What are you most proud of? 

A source of great pride for me is my commitment to giving back. I have financially supported many friends, parents, and relatives, and I have donated plasma and blood 27 times in Tasmania, with a goal of reaching 100 donations.

What’s something you never leave home without?

I never leave my house key, my wallet, cell phone etc.

What are you most grateful for? 

I am thankful to be the youngest son in my family, a loving husband, and a proud father of two children.

What is something fun that nobody at Eskleigh knows about you? 

My own way of having fun with clients that other staff don’t know.