NSW Minister for Disability Services Kristina Keneally will today present Tulgeen Disability Services with a grant for $50,000 for their “Art in the Garage” program.
Ms Keneally said this is an innovative program that offers people with a disability from the Bega Valley the opportunity to participate in range of art activities.
“This grant will pay for new facilities at the group’s property in Eden Street, Bega, including:
• A ceramics and sculpture studio;
• A print making studio; and
• An open air sculpture garden and work area.
“It will also allow a further 35 people with a disability to benefit from this worthwhile program,” Ms Keneally said.
“Tulgeen Disability Services also provide a number of vital disability services locally including supported accommodation, day programs and services to people with high physical support needs.”
The organisation, which is the largest and most significant disability service provider in the Bega Valley, has been operating since 1977 and receives approximately $2.8 million a year in State Government support.
This includes almost $228,000 from the NSW Government for its Community Participation Program for people with high needs.
Ms Keneally said that “Art in the Garage” is valuable in helping people with disabilities to develop their artistic skills.
“Artists involved in the program have had their work feature in an exhibition at the National Gallery in Canberra and are now selling their work in the commercial world.
“This is not only a great credit to them, but also to the people who showed the foresight to develop the program and those who have given of their time and expertise to help people attending the classes.
“The local community has also given strong support to Tulgeen Disability Services with voluntary labour and donations to assist with landscaping at the centre.”
As part of Stronger Together, the Government has also provided more than $61,000 for a community bus that has the necessary aids to assist with the transportation of people with special needs.
Ms Keneally said that because the Bega Valley covered 6,000 square kilometres, there was substantial pressure on transport, particularly for specialised transport.