What a fantastic day we had at our Eskleigh home Christmas Party on Wednesday! Santa made a special visit, bringing joy to everyone. Families gathered to celebrate, enjoying a delicious BBQ and yummy Swirlicious ice cream.
A huge thank you to our incredible organisers—Rob, Andrew, Stewart, Caitlin, Amanda, Stacie, Carl, Lisa, Mandy, and Mathew—for making this celebration unforgettable! We appreciate all your hard work.
BBQ’s were also held at Burnie, Phillip Avenue and Carbeen Street.
Christmas blew into Perth on Saturday 6 December as a blustery afternoon greeted many smiling faces, from the very young to the more experienced, at the 1st Annual Perth Community Christmas Celebration held at Eskleigh. Patrons enjoyed tours of the historic property and a range of free activities: face painting, balloon art, laser tag, games, crafts, music, market stalls, and food and coffee from local providers. Santa arrived courtesy of the Perth Fire Brigade, and as the weather began to clear everyone enjoyed a lovely time together.
The event was sponsored and organised by Perth Tasmania Historical Society, Perth Lions, Perth Baptist Church, the Eskleigh Foundation, Perth Community Progress Association, Perth Fire Brigade and the Northern Midlands Council. Mark your calendar for an even brighter and better celebration in 2026.
A very big thank you to the wonderful businesses who donated items for the fundraising raffle.
Tazzy Tyres & Mechanical donated a tyre rotation, balance and alignment - won by Jonno ticket B7
Allans Garden Centre Prospect donated a $50 voucher - won by Miranda ticket B15
A beautiful hand made quilt donated by Alisanne and Lauren Butler - won my Beatrix ticket A6
The Old Woolstore donated one night accommodation in a 1 bedroom apartment and parking - won by Jen ticket A14
Tasmanian Electrical Services donated 3 separate prizes bunker lights - won by Tammie ticket B26, Down lights won by Tracey ticket A66 and Smoke detector won by Carolyn ticket B47
Maxwell and Williams items donated by Amanda Bailey included cannisters, utensil holder and mortar and pestle won by Ashy ticket B22
Stanley Fat Max donated a tool bag and Stanley Fat Max won by Matt ticket C20
WELSS Home Maintenance donated two separate prizes 1 x 2 hours of lawn and garden won by Fitz C52 and one x 2 hours of domestic assistance won by Val ticket A11
RapidClean Tasmania donated cleaning products hamper won by Rob ticket B07
Reitsemas Betta Electrical donated a kettle and toaster kit won by Kylie ticket B34
Thank you again for your wonderful support.
We are excited to announce that our annual report is now available for review on our website. This comprehensive document highlights our achievements over the past year, outlines our strategic objectives and insights into our financial performance. We invite you to explore to gain a deeper understanding of our initiatives and impact we’ve made in our community. Your feedback is invaluable as we continue to grow and improve, so please take a moment to read through the report at your convenience.
We are thrilled to share that our annual report is now available in easy-to-read format for the first time. This new approach makes it simpler for everyone to understand our key achievements and goals. You’ll find highlights of our major accomplishments, insights into our financial performance, and a look at our plans. We believe this format will make it more accessible for all. Take a moment to check it out on our website and see how we’ve progressed this year.
We are holding a Christmas raffle to raise funds that will go directly towards purchasing gifts for the people we support at Eskleigh home. Thanks to the generosity of our donors we have an incredible lineup of prizes. Your support will ensure that everyone receives a present this Christmas.
You can buy tickets at the Christmas Celebration on the 6 December or you can contact us to purchase tickets.
The Old Woolstore, 1 Macquarie Street, Hobart
1 night’s accommodation in a 1 bedroom apartment & Parking
Maxwell & Williams Kitchen set
3 Cannisters, Utensil Holder & Mortar and Pestle
Stanley Fat Max and Stanley Toolbag
W.E.L.S.S 1 x Two hours of Lawn and Garden Maintenance.
W.E.L.S.S 1 x Two hours of Domestic Assistance. Valued at
Tazzy Tyres - 1 x Tyre Rotation, Balance and Alignment.
Allens Garden Centre, Voucher
Tasmanian Electrical Services
2 x Smoke detectors and a Beanie
Tasmanian Electrical Services
3 x Oval Mini Bunker lights
4 x Down lights and a Cap
Quilt
Handmade by Alisanne and Lauren Butler
Rapidclean, Cleaning products hamper.
What a wonderful gift for Eskleigh! During the year the people we support at Eskleigh Home collaborated on a art project with guidance from wonderful art therapy ladies Aileen Gough, Carlene Bullock and Erika Cox. At our Annual General meeting, the framed painting was presented and there was also a very generous donation of $200 to our art therapy group. The people we support sold paintings at a local art show. We will ensure that the funds go to something that benefits the entire group.
Our on-going relationship with the art therapy group has brought immense joy to the people we support and we are grateful for the positive impact it continues to have.
At our Annual General Meeting, we proudly unveiled our newly refreshed outdoor spaces!
Thanks to a generous donation of $3,000 from the Bell Bay Community Grant, we’ve repaired our existing raised garden beds and added new ones. We also installed suitable ground cover to improve accessibility and new linings in the beds to prevent water leakage.
We also received a $20,000 grant from the Tasmanian Government’s Community Change Action Grant Program 2024 to establish a community garden at Eskleigh. This initiative will enhance our community and provide a space for everyone to enjoy.
In June, we held a fundraiser to revitalise our courtyard. Previously a hot, uninviting space, our courtyard now features a beautiful garden with a stunning magnolia at its center, transforming the view for the people we support. A special thank you to Kevin Cosslett for his generous contribution, which made this transformation possible.
A very special thank you goes to Rob Butler, Maintenance Manager and Andrew Westwood, Grounds Maintenance for all the work they done building and creating the spaces. Thanks also to all the staff who helped with our working bees!! We are looking forward to seeing everyone enjoying these new spaces.
Discover Your New Home at Eskleigh Philip Avenue Group Home
Nestled in a lovely, quiet neighborhood, our group home offers the perfect blend of comfort and convenience. With 4 cosy bedrooms and just a stone's throw away from the ocean, you'll enjoy a peaceful lifestyle while still being close to everything you need!
Conveniently Located
Just a one minute stroll to IGA for all your daily essentials. Take a leisurely 19-minute walk or a quick ten minute bus ride to Coles Supermarket, fast food spots, restaurants, and Northgate Shopping Centre.
Easy Transport Options
Only a 3-minute walk to the nearest bus stop!
Outdoor area
Enjoy a private backyard area, complete with paths for easy access and a designated smoking area. Our fully accessible garden ensures everyone can enjoy the outdoors.
Accessibility Features
Wheelchair access at both front and back doors, plus all areas of the property are designed for ease of movement. Fully hoist accessible bathrooms and convenient laundry access.
Parking Made Easy
Off-street parking for up to 4 vehicles, with additional street parking available!
Join Our Community
With a welcoming atmosphere and a small number of residents, Eskleigh Phillip Avenue Group Home is the perfect place to call home!
Contact us today to find out more about available vacancies and take the first step toward a new, fulfilling lifestyle! enquiry@eskleigh.com.au or call (03) 6398 7100
Some of you may recall our efforts to refresh the courtyard, particularly the fundraising campaign we launched in June. Work has included installing the central garden bed featuring the magnolia tree.
Now, it was time to turn our attention to painting the cement. We started by scraping off the loose paint and cleaning the surface in preparation for painting. We then applied a coat of cement paint, which took a few hours. Andrew and Rob plan to add a second coat of paint. Rob also made a start on rendering the seating around the magnolia tree. Our team also made progress by adding linings to the community garden beds.
Next, we'll focus on building some garden beds and painting the brick facade.
A huge thank you to all the volunteers and especially to Wendy and Marelle who also helped out. You’ve made a significant impact on this project! We can’t wait to see the completed courtyard!
Significant progress has been made behind the scenes to launch our community garden. We received a grant from 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.
If you would like to get involved in setting up the community garden please reach out to Miranda.
We were delighted to have the Choir of High Hopes perform at Eskleigh on the 15 October. Everyone had a lovely time singing along to some classic songs. Tanya acted as MC and did a fabulous job! We are looking forward to seeing you perform at our Christmas event Saturday 6 December.
On Saturday the 29 November there will be a Community garden Conference at UTAS
UTAS community garden events
A gathering hosted by Community Gardens Australia at the Inveresk Campus.
Date: Saturday, November 29, 2025
Time: 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
Location: UTAS Inveresk Campus, 2 Invermay Rd, Launceston TAS 7250
On Sunday 30 November Eskleigh will be taking part in a Open Day for community gardens! We will share details about this on our Facebook page or you can email us for more information. enquiry@eskleigh.com.au
Significant progress has been made behind the scenes to launch our community garden with eight beds now constructed. Our community garden will be helped by our existing partnerships within the Perth area. If you would like to get involved in setting up the community garden please reach out to Miranda.
We’re thrilled to announce that we’re creating an Eskleigh recipe book, and we need your help! Have you got Grandmas secret pudding recipe or a family favourite that you’re willing to share? Send your culinary creations to recipes@eskleigh.com.au
Last week Vivien Tan sent it a fabulous egg recipe.
Gooey Baked Eggs with Soldiers
A comforting twist on a classic—perfect for breakfast or a light meal.
Serves: 2
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10–15 minutes
Ingredients
4 large free-range eggs
4 slices of fresh bread (white, wholemeal, or sourdough)
Olive oil (for greasing)
A generous handful of grated cheese (cheddar for flavour + mozzarella for gooeyness, or use a pizza mix)
Butter (for spreading)
Salt and freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
Method
1. Prepare the pots
Lightly grease two mini cocottes or small ovenproof pots with olive oil.
2. Add the eggs and cheese
Crack two eggs into each pot.
Use a fork to gently prick the yolks and give them a swirl.
Add a generous amount of grated cheese on top.
Season lightly with salt and pepper (remember, cheese can be salty—less is best).
3. Bake the eggs
Place the pots in a preheated oven at 180°C (350°F).
Bake for 10–15 minutes, depending on how gooey you like your eggs.
4. Make the soldiers
While the eggs bake, toast the bread until golden.
Spread with butter and slice into strips—your “soldiers.”
5. Serve and enjoy
Remove the baked eggs from the oven and serve immediately with the buttery soldiers for dipping.
Tips & Variations
Add a sprinkle of smoked paprika or chili flakes for extra flavour.
Try sourdough or rye bread for a rustic twist.
For a richer taste, use cultured or salted butter.
For an Aussie version you can use vegemite on your soldiers
What kind of foods do you like? I like most foods – especially seafood and Thai
What’s your favourite movie? Love Actually
What kind of music do you like? I like mostly Australian bands – Lime Cordiale, Spacey Jane, Missy Higgins. Also like a bit of pop music to dance around the kitchen to.
What is your favourite ice cream? Macadamia Nut
What is your favorite colour? Yellow
What is your favourite place in Tasmania to visit? East Coast – in particular Bicheno
What’s your favourite childhood memory: Summer holidays spent at Adventure Bay, Bruny Island
Favorite School Subject: Music
Hobbies: Walking, spending time with family & friends (mostly eating and drinking)
Favorite Sport: Tennis
Fun Fact: Once a month you will find me singing (very badly)) at Choir in the Pub at The Oak
Bonus fact: I share my birthday with my eldest daughter
Role at Eskleigh: Senior Accountant
Sandra with her Birthday twin!
When my mother was about 30 years old, she began working at Eskleigh, as a nursing aide. In those days, the facility was run by a strict matron and nurse. It was here at Eskleigh that my mother met my stepfather, who lived in a house at the back of the property, affectionately known as “the shed.” It was love at first sight for them!
Growing up at Eskleigh, I found my second home. With the matron’s permission, my mother would let me come to work, where I spent my days chatting with residents and trying to stay out of the matron’s line of sight. I often found myself exploring the upper floors. My mother would share stories about Eskleigh, and I also heard lots of stories about the resident ghost, Alice.
One resident, in particular, left a lasting impression on me. I was fortunate enough to visit her during my mother’s shifts from 4.00pm - 10.00pm. She gifted me a doll that I still cherish to this day. See photo below!
I fondly remember the swimming pool at the back of Eskleigh, where I splashed and played!! My stepfather dedicated 35 years of his life to working at Eskleigh, and my mother also spent many years here, deeply embedding our family into the fabric of the Eskleigh community.
Inspired by their commitment to helping others, I always aspired to follow in their footsteps. With 16 years of experience as a support worker, I am thrilled to have returned to Eskleigh, this time as a member of the team.
It feels like coming home.
Kerry- Anne Bounday
Cluck, Cluck Cuck! Our new chicken coop has welcomed some eggciting new residents who are laying eggs everyday. We recently scrambled up some fun with a staff competition to name our hen house and the winning name is Eggsleigh !! Eggsquisite isn’t it? The people we support are having a cracking time visiting each day to check in on our feathery friends and their eggcellent contributions!
Today our Chief Operating Officer, Amanda Bailey participated in a panel discussion at the Tasmanian Leaders' Dialogue 2025: Rights, Reform and Regulation.
The panel discussion topic: Building a Capable Workforce at the Tasmanian Leaders’ Dialogue 2025: Rights, Reform and Regulation Forum.
This forum was run and facilitated by the National Disability Service (NDS). Joining Amanda on the panel was Nigel Hill, CEO of Multicap and Simon Wiggins, Director Avidity Group.
Together they explored the challenges and opportunities to build a capable workforce from recruitment, to training and leadership development in the sector.
The discussion also highlighted the ongoing issues the sector faces nationally including high turnover rates and casualisation.
Last year we were very lucky to be awarded $3,000 from the Bell Bay grant scheme. This funding has allowed us to construct nine accessible raised garden beds, replacing the old, rotting frames. Rob Butler, Andrew Westwood and Steve Bayes have kicked off the building process by removing some of the old structures and and installing new beds. We can’t wait to see it finished. Many thanks to Bell Bay for the grant!! When finished its going to make such a difference to the growing of vegetables without the water running out the sides of the broken and rotten wood!!
At Eskleigh Home, we certainly miss Wendy, but we are overjoyed to hear about her remarkable progress in her new surroundings at Jardine Crescent. Initially, we had some concerns that she would miss Eskleigh home and her familiar surroundings but it’s heartening to see how well she has settled in.
The photos showcase her engaging in household chores and relishing outings to nearby shops, which highlights her positive experience.
A huge thank you to our support workers for their wonderful care and support during this transition!
