{"id":136993,"date":"2016-03-02T23:12:05","date_gmt":"2016-03-02T13:12:05","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/?p=136993"},"modified":"2020-10-21T12:32:24","modified_gmt":"2020-10-21T02:32:24","slug":"sbcare-celebrates-new-extension","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/2016\/03\/02\/sbcare-celebrates-new-extension\/","title":{"rendered":"SBcare Celebrates New Extension"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Downer EDI Meandu project manager Dayne Somers and Meandu site manager Simon Ewart, right, present SBcare chairman Doug Henderson and CEO Cheryl Dalton, centre, with a cheque for $5000<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

March 3, 2016<\/strong><\/p>\n

A big crowd turned out on Wednesday morning for the official opening of SBcare’s $238,000 extension to its Kingaroy building.<\/p>\n

A $50,000 grant from the Tarong Community Partnership Fund kickstarted the major upgrade so it was fitting the opening also coincided with Stanwell Corporation’s regular six-monthly update to the local community.<\/p>\n

Stanwell CEO Richard Van Breda, Meandu site manager Simon Ewart, SBcare chairman Doug Henderson and secretary Bruce Jay unveiled the plaque to rename the extended respite activities room as the “Stanwell Room”.<\/p>\n

The extensions have also provided more office space as well as a room where staff can meet clients.<\/p>\n

Mr Henderson told the audience that SBcare, formerly\u00a0 known as the South Burnett Senior Citizens Welfare Association, started in 1998 with an annual budget of $312,000, nine staff and two “crappy old buses”.<\/p>\n

The not-for-profit aged and disability care organisation now has an annual budget of $2.6 million.<\/p>\n

SBcare CEO Cheryl Dalton said there were 73 employees, 381 volunteers and 604 clients and its vehicles clock up 2.5 million km\u00a0 a year.<\/p>\n

* * *<\/strong><\/h3>\n

A guest speaker at the opening was artist Kelly Crane who has been working with SBcare’s creative arts program.<\/strong><\/p>\n

This project, also partially funded by Stanwell, has enabled 45 clients to take part in workshops to develop new skills, including sculpture, mosaics and film-making.<\/p>\n

A public sculpture was presented to Mr Van Breda on behalf of the group.<\/p>\n

* * *<\/strong><\/h3>\n

SBcare received a $5000 boost during the Stanwell presentation.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Downer EDI Meandu project manager Dayne Somers and Meandu site manager Simon Ewart presented SBcare chairman Doug Henderson and CEO Cheryl Dalton with a cheque.<\/p>\n

Mr Ewart said Meandu had won an award for Workplace Health and Safety so had decided to donate the prize to SBcare.<\/p>\n

* * *<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Other highlights from the Stanwell \/ SBcare morning:<\/strong><\/p>\n