Graham House Celebrates Success

20140601 Graham House — Graham House manager Linda O’Hare with special guest speaker Holly Ferling

June 5, 2014

There’s been changes aplenty at Graham House in Murgon, with new uniforms, a new logo and a new website.

The community centre, located in Taylor Street East, hosted an open day on Sunday to coincide with the launch of its new look.

Graham House traces its history back to 1988. It has grown over the years and now hosts everything from emergency relief to transport services.

The day was organised as a triple celebration: to mark National Volunteers Week, acknowledge Community Centres Month and Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month.

There was a sausage sizzle, face-painting and jumping castle as well as loads of information available about Graham House’s many services and programs.

After a Welcome To Country by Wakka Wakka elder Aunty Vera Sullivan, the guest speakers took the floor.

A highlight of the afternoon was a presentation of “thank you” certificates to the many volunteers that keep Graham House programs ticking over.

There are an incredible 70 volunteers involved with various programs operating out of the complex.

Special guest speaker, Australian cricketer Holly Ferling, talked about the importance of volunteers before personally presenting each of the Graham House volunteers with their certificates.

A second guest speaker was men’s support worker Jim Sloane, from Graham House’s “Older Wiser Stronger” project, who spoke about breaking the cycles of domestic violence.

Graham House is also auspicing the new Murgon Men’s Shed, which is expected to be launched soon.

South Burnett councillor Kathy Duff praised the organisation for the work that they do.

“Anything that is too hard and isn’t Council-related, I ring Graham House,” she said. “You do it really, really well. You walk the talk.”

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Graham Community Access and Development Officer Rosemary Braithwaite said services offered at Graham House include: