March 18, 2016
The official opening of South Burnett CTC’s “Partners In Foster Care” building in Wondai – and helping to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the “Partners” service – were some of South Burnett Mayor Wayne Kratzmann’s last official duties this week.
“Partners” supports families who have taken on the role of foster carers.
When the service began in March 2006, it was licensed to support 50 children; it is now is licensed for 145.
“That is an awful lot of children and families, departmental hours, paperwork and paperwork and paperwork,” South Burnett CTC CEO Nina Temperton said.
She said then-Wondai mayor David Carter had helped CTC to find a location to set up “Partners” in Wondai in 2006.
CTC placed demountable buildings at the back of Communications House.
When the program “burst out at the seams” last year, Mayor Wayne Kratzmann had stepped in to assist.
“We always had our eyes on this building, but thanks to Wayne Kratzmann’s assistance we managed to persuade Council to lease it to us for a very, very long time for $1 a year,” Nina said.
Mayor Kratzmann cut the ribbon to mark the official opening of the building.
He was watched by CTC staff, councillors, foster carers, passers-by and more than a few council candidates at Saturday’s election.
The presence of the “wanna-be” councillors didn’t go unnoticed.
“We need support from Council to do our job, especially from a mayor who understands us and ‘just makes it happen’,” Nina said.
CTC paid for the renovations of Communications House, which was the former home of CROW-FM.
Mayor Kratzmann recalled his days at the radio station during his speech.
“My spiritual home is Wondai but I would never have thought I would be holding a microphone again in this building,” he said.
He said the project showed what could happen when a community group worked with Council.
“Councils are all about partnerships,” he said.
Mayor Kratzmann said the renovated building had given a “new vibe” to the main street of Wondai.
“No one does it better than Nina; no one does it better than CTC,” he said.
- Related article: Council Partners With CTC In A Win For Wondai
