Contracts Exchanged at last!

After a long process and strong support from local residents, the old Collaroy Hospital Site in Beach Road will now be used for the purpose that George Sargood intended when he donated the land to the community back in 1921.

Securing the land for the purpose of building a state of the art facility for newly spinal injured people is the result of a 5 year partnership between Spinal Cord Injuries Australia and the Collaroy Community Group.

Mr Bob Loader, Chairman of the Collaroy Community Group said "It has taken almost fourteen years of struggle, but we can take heart now that this site will be protected into the future, and will return to its intended role of serving the needs of disadvantaged people. Newly elected Premier Iemma has said that people with disabilities are one of his main priorities. Helping us to build this facility will make a great start."

"It's so exciting that we can now commence the next stage of our plans to build our new rehabilitation Facility. The Facility is so desperately needed in order to get people out of hospital and back into our community" SCI Australia Chief Executive, Greg Bergan said.

The facility will provide people with spinal cord injuries the opportunity to develop independent living skills so they can return home physically, mentally and emotionally prepared to get on with life after such a traumatic injury. The facility will also provide respite care for those people already living in the community.

The Northern Beaches Community has been helping Spinal Cord Injuries Australia to raise funds for the new Rehabilitation Facility and have raised over $300,000 so far. The total project is expected to cost over $5 million.

Local resident and Appeal Chair, Rod Macqueen said "It has been quite special to see the local community get right behind this project. A lot of hard work has been put in by many people but the end result is going to be a significant benefit to many of those suffering spinal injuries."

A site office has been set up in shop 3/1030 -1034 Pittwater Rd Collaroy. The office will be open in early October and community members are invited to drop in and find out more about the project.

There will also be an Open Day on the site itself, planned for November.

For more information or to lend your support, contact Nigel at collaroy@scia.org.au
or call Debbie on 9661 8855