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. 

Board Profile - Peter Barnes

Being on a Board isn’t my happy place (I’d rather be lying on a couch reading a good book) but Eskleigh inspires me to get off the sofa, shake off the slippers and contribute a little bit to the overall excellence of the organisation.

I’m confident with the strategy the Board has taken to ensure Eskleigh exists way beyond us (after all, it was here before I was born).

As a director, it’s important to see how things connect across the disability sector, because it’s a fascinating time in history, and kind of cool to be a part of it.

I also like to keep it simple, so I do appreciate it when the management team provides me with an acronym list for each Board pack.

I’m aware that there is a lot of change going on at the moment, so as a Director I hope people are surfing the waves and dodging the sharks without losing touch with the Board (surfboard – see what I did there?)

Finally, part of our job is to assess opportunities that come along, and whether they are a good idea for Eskleigh. I believe we are making the right choices.

Keep up the fabulous work!

Peter B

Eskleigh Renovations Continue

Renovations are continuing at Eskleigh!

Rob and his team along with Sherrif Building Solutions have made a significant change by removing mysterious walls that had been blocking a windows, and the beautiful view of the South Esk River.

The removal of this walls has transformed the space, flooding it with much-needed natural light and creating a brighter, more inviting atmosphere.

Chris can be seen enjoying the view from the newly uncovered window, a testament to the positive impact of these renovations. The photo with the blue circle shows what it was like before the wall was removed.

The next two photos, with the witches’ hats, show the uncovering of the window at the other end of the room! The photo with the yellow circle shows how it was before.

Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to enhance Eskleigh home.

Wendy gets a Micky and Minnie Mouse quilt

Last week, our Maintenance Manager, Rob Butler, organised a special surprise meeting for Wendy that made everyone so happy. Rob’s wife, Alisanne, dedicated two weeks to crafting a beautiful Micky and Minnie Mouse quilt just for Wendy. The end result was absolutely stunning, and Wendy was over the moon with her thoughtful gift!

A heartfelt thank you to Alisanne for her incredible time and effort in creating such a lovely quilt. It truly reflects the spirit of our Eskleigh family!

Wendy’s happiness speaks volumes, and the quilt looks fantastic on her bed!

Eskleigh Garage Sale

Mark your calendars for our exciting Garage Sale this Saturday, March 22, from 9am - 12 pm!

Don’t miss out on fantastic bargains, including a bar fridge, desks, chairs, office furniture, white goods, and mobility aids. Whether you're looking to spruce up your home or find that perfect piece you’ve been searching for, there’s something for everyone!
Bring your friends and family, and join us for a morning of treasure hunting and great deals. We can't wait to see you there!

Jardine Crescent

All units are nearly finished with the external painting, and only five more units need their internal painting completed. We are currently boxing the driveways, and part of the driveway outside units 6 and 7 has been poured with concrete and looks great. The boxing for the air conditioner pads for all units is finished and ready for concrete. The BBQ area has been leveled and marked out, so construction can begin soon. NBN has been connected to all units, preparing for JTC to come from Adelaide to complete the Assistive Technology work. All data racks and UPS systems are installed and working well. We have also started marking out the front fence.

We are excited to announce that the official opening will take place on the morning of April 10th. Everything is still on track for residents to move in starting April 14th.

Staff profile - Jonathan Burgess

I'm Jonno Burgess, and I have been the Training Coordinator at Eskleigh since May 2023.  Some of you may remember I was the State Rostering Coordinator for Eskleigh quite a few years back.

I have worked in Community Services for the past 20 years including roles in Employment Services, Welfare, Health, and Disability.

I am thankful for the excellent team I work with here at Eskleigh and enjoy the interaction with participants and staff when they visit us, or when I am visiting Eskleigh Home or other locations.  I also love the old building and grounds – such a beautiful place to work every day.

My wife Ange and I have been married for 23 years and have 4 amazing children – Susie (22), Sam (19), Josh (16) and Esther (12) and our cute but naughty cat Mason.  We live in Newstead with all the kids still at home.  Mason loves giving affectionate head butts and waking us up at ridiculous times of the morning (not to mention scratching everything he can get his claws on).  Most of our family attend All Saints North (Barney’s) Anglican Church in Newnham.

 What kind of food do you like?  I love Thai, Italian, Indian and Turkish food.  Butter Chicken from Ali’s Asian Café is a personal favourite.  I also love a good BBQ.  Chocolate, chips and ice-cream are also some of my food weaknesses.

What is your favourite Movie? Hard to pick one – some favourites include Nacho Libre, Napolean Dynamite, The Martian, The Wedding Singer, Master of Disguise, The Blues Brothers, The Holiday, Elf, Christmas with the Kranks, Star Wars (especially the original 3), Die Hard Series, Lethal Weapon Series, Jack Reacher Series, and the Bourne Series.

What kind of music do you like?   Jazz, Rock/Pop, Classical, Christian Music - some favourite artists include Billy Joel, Sting, Harry Connick Jr, The Beatles, James Morrison, Steve Curtis Chapman, and Keith Green.  I play guitar and also enjoy singing.

What is your favourite Ice-cream?  Chocolate, Peppermint, Jaffa, and Rum and Raisin are some of my top flavours and I can always find room for some icecream.  Waffle cones are so much better that the more basic ones.  I do also love a good drizzle of chocolate or banana topping/syrup.

What is your favourite colour?   Blue

What is your favourite place to visit in Tasmania?  Bicheno.  Lots to do and love the beautiful rocks and water.  My extended family used to holiday there when I was a child.

What's your favourite childhood memory?   Going to Sovereign Hill in Victoria – panning for gold, patting the Clydesdales, getting a wanted poster with my name on it.  Also, lots of special times with extended family – Cousins, Aunts, Uncles and Grandparents.

What was your favourite subject at school?   Maths and Science.  I was also a Maths and Science Teacher early in my career.

What do you enjoy doing in your free time? With four children, I don’t have a lot of spare time – driving lessons, homework, nagging people to get up or go to bed or do their chores or have showers all takes quite a bit of work .  When I do find time, I love fishing (inland and sea), printmaking, photography and getting out into nature.

What is your favourite hobby? I love printmaking and have previously done a Certificate IV in Visual Art at TAFE.  I mainly do lino cuts, monoprints (using a gelli plate) and hand-carved rubber stamp prints.  I do have a small printing press at home but sadly don’t use it as much as I would like.

What is your favourite sport to play?  Cricket and Tennis.  I did play Cricket for South Launceston for a few years while my boys were also part of the club.  I also enjoyed volleyball when I was younger.

What do you bring most to a friendship?  Fun, honesty, care/compassion, reliability, practical support.

What are you most proud of?  Completing a 35000km big lap of Australia in our 17-foot pop-top caravan over 10 months with our family in 2016/2017. I also completed my Certificate IV in Training and Assessment through NDA in December last year.

What’s something you never leave home without?  I do on occasions leave home without my phone, wallet, glasses, laptop charger, or lunch box, so these do not qualify.  So probably just my keys, clothes and sense of humour!

What are you most grateful for?  My Christian Faith.  My wife and four children.  Living in Australia. 

What is something fun that nobody at Eskleigh knows about you?  I had a flat-top haircut when I was a teenager.  Me and my twin sister Christine swapped school uniforms on April Fool’s Day in High School.

Eskleigh Community Garden Grant

We are thrilled to announce that we have successfully secured a grant from the Climate Change Action Plan to establish a community garden at Eskleigh!

This initiative is aimed at creating a vibrant and welcoming space where community members can gather, learn, and cultivate together. The Eskleigh Community Garden will also serve as an educational hub, providing opportunities for local community groups and school children to learn about sustainable gardening practices and the importance of growing seasonal food.

Our community garden will be helped by our existing partnerships within the Perth area. We have a longstanding relationship with the Lions Club, who have generously offered to support the garden's establishment by providing mulch and assisting with the setup. The Perth Football Club has offered to help with the setting up of the garden beds. Our partnership with the Perth Baptist Church, established over 80 years ago, will enable us to contribute fresh produce to their food distribution for those in need. It is anticipated that they will have lots of willing people to help with the garden too.

If you would like to get involved in setting up the community garden please reach out to Miranda.

Together, we can grow a sustainable future!

Working Bee at Eskleigh

We recently held a working bee at Eskleigh and it was a tremendous success! The laundry, sections of the hall, bedroom, northstore room, south corridor, the old spa room (to be a new bathroom) and a bedroom were painted. About ten dedicated staff members and one family member rolled up their sleeves to assist with painting and prepping the areas. Marelle decided that she wanted to help and was tutored by Rob Butler, Maintenance Manager, on the finer points of painting.

After the hard work, everyone enjoyed a delicious lunch, courtesy of Rob and Amanda. Due to the success of this event, we will be organising another working bee soon!

Great job, everyone!

Jasmine's Certificate of Appreciation

Jasmine was given an Eskleigh Certificate of Appreciate for “providing a positive experience for job applicants”.

A member of the public noted the following:

I wanted to take a moment to share how impressed I’ve been with the application process for the Support Worker position. The communication throughout has been timely and transparent, and the way the process is structured reflects the care and professionalism of Eskleigh.

It’s rare to encounter such a well-organised approach, and it’s made me even more excited about the opportunity to potentially join your team.

Thank you again for this positive experience—I truly appreciate the effort you and your team has put into making me feel valued and understood.

Courtyard Renovations

Exciting renovations are currently underway at Eskleigh, with a key project focusing on revitalising one of our courtyards. The pergola, built circa 1980s, served as a respite area but was uncomfortably hot during the summer months and was in dire need of an upgrade.

Rob Butler is overseeing the renovation, and we've enlisted skilled bricklayers to enhance the space. The shed structure is being completely removed and the middle of the area will feature a tree, and it will have seating arranged to face outward. The transformation is already remarkable, allowing more natural light to flood the area.

Rooms overlooking this courtyard will soon enjoy views of a lovely shady tree and a beautiful garden bed, making the space not only more aesthetically pleasing but also a perfect spot to relax, not only in summer but during the winter months it will be a perfect spot to soak up some sunshine out of the wind.

We can’t wait to share the final result with you!

Jardine update

We are very pleased to provide an update on the progress of the building works at Jardine over the past month.

Unit 1: Work has continued smoothly with painters diligently working through the Christmas break. All dry fire systems have been completed, and we are now awaiting power commissioning. Kitchen appliances have been installed.

Unit 2: The builder's fit-out is now complete, along with the plumbing fit-off. The electricians have also finished their work in this unit. Kitchen appliances have been installed.

Unit 3: Progress in Unit 3 mirrors that of Unit 2, with kitchen appliances now installed.

Unit 4: All floor coverings, joinery, plumbing, and electrical fit-offs are complete in this unit. The builder's fit-off has also been finalized. External cladding will be completed in the coming days, and kitchen appliances have been installed.

Units 5, 6, & 7: Painting is complete, and the carport slabs have been poured. Preparations for the driveway have begun. Externally, progress is moving along nicely.

The backs of Units 2, 3, 5, 6, and 7 have been prepared for concrete. Additionally, the retaining wall outside Units 6 and 7 has been blocked and the core filled. NBN has been installed.

We have a move-in date of April 14, 2025!!

Handover will take place one week prior, allowing us to prepare for the Eskleigh setup, which includes the installation of white goods and the setup of sleepover rooms, offices, and more.

Thank you for your continued support and interest in the Eskleigh development!