Eastwood Community Centre

Opening Speech

On behalf of the Eastwood Community Centre and Burnside Council, I want to acknowledge this land that we meet on today is the traditional lands for the Kaurna people and that we respect their spiritual relationship with their country. We also acknowledge the Kaurna people as the custodians of the Adelaide region and that their cultural and heritage beliefs are still as important to the living Kaurna people today.”
This is an auspicious occasion and I welcome all of you that have come here today – all of us touched by Mairi in some way.  There are a more than a few who were regular attendees of Mairi’s terrific parties and some who, like me, made the mistake of partaking of more than 1 serve of her legendary champagne punch!!

I also wish to acknowledge some special guests to this occasion:

• Vickie Chapman MP the State Member for Bragg
• Councillor Di Wilkinson
• Councillor Leni Palk

The purpose of today’s gathering is to dedicate this garden – this sensory garden that we are all standing in to Mairi Spedding. 

Mairi was the Coordinator of Eastwood Community Centre until her untimely passing last year.  She was the dynamo that powered the Centre for around 20 years, who drove many of the Centre’s projects, initiatives and successes – including, of course, the sensory garden project.

Have I mentioned that Eastwood Community Centre is the place that just can’t say NO!

We say YES!   It is a powerful word. It opens doors and eyes, it makes friends and it makes things possible.  Mairi knew this is the cornerstone of community development and she wasn’t afraid to use it!

The Centre has a long history of working to provide opportunities for people with disabilities and mental health issues.  That’s sort of natural considering that Glenside Hospital is nearby and the Centre is an oasis, sometimes even a quiet spot, a haven where services can be delivered

Around 2004 the idea of creating a sensory garden for people with memory loss, early onset dementia or physical disability was floated and grasped, pursued and powered by Mairi over the next 5 or so years

The garden is designed by Glenda Williams of the Horticultural Therapy Society and funded by the City of Burnside and the Dept for Families and Communities.

There has been considerable input from our community and by local residents to develop this sensory garden into a bountiful, welcoming and functional space, an asset for the Centre, its users and the community.

I particularly want to acknowledge and commend the efforts of Eastwood Community Centre volunteers - Di, Alan, Pauline and Viv

The design is intentional, it takes into account the needs of the people who will use it. 

Look at the pathways and notice the familiar red brick patterns and concentric circles it uses.  These familiar patterns help to minimize disorientation for people who experience memory loss and soothe the thoughts of others.
There are seats built into curved raised beds to allow for passive involvement in gardening activities – so you can’t be a gardener then you can sit and watch the gardeners

Community groups ACH and 3 R’s enjoy meeting and talking while maintaining the raised beds of the garden. For those of us who are wondering – the 3Rs group is about Respite, Recreation, Revitalisation - and what better place to revitalise than this

I am here today to celebrate Mairi’s friendship and her dedication to Eastwood Community Centre.
I want to celebrate Mairi’s spirit, the style and energy she brought to the tasks and goals she wanted to accomplish.  And her sense of humour that helped us to laugh our way towards those goals.
She was our longtime Centre Coordinator; she was mentor, counselor and friend to many of us. 

For these and many other reasons the Management Committee, staff and volunteers wanted to name this calm and productive patch “Mairi’s Garden” in honour of our dear friend and colleague.

We acknowledge the support of the Burnside Council and thank them for their assistance in making this endeavor a reality today

Mairi’s Garden ……..  It has a lovely sound to it doesn’t it ….?

It is a great little spot that is peaceful, beautiful and gives comfort to the soul as well as providing herbs and salad greens to improve our diet.

I invite you all to visit Mairi’s Garden - enjoy the peaceful space, pick something fragrant, pick something to eat or cook with

If you want to be more involved in gardening activities please talk to Allison our Centre Coordinator

We have also been working with Mairi’s family, Committee members, Burnside Council and others to find a way to establish a trust fund for community development in Mairi’s name.

I know that seems like thinking BIG but that is a fitting tribute to Mairi – that’s the way she did things – not by halves.
So today I can invite you, your friends, colleagues and the community to contribute to the Mairi Spedding Community Development Foundation that is being establishing in recognition of the sustained, energetic contribution made to the Burnside and Unley communities by Mairi Spedding over her many years of service.

Mairi achieved this through her visionary and steadfast development of the Eastwood Community Centre into a vibrant, all-embracing facility which supports and places itself at the heart of the local community.

The intention of the Foundation is to provide services to disadvantaged persons, people on a low income; single parents; carers; those with a mental, intellectual or physical disability; by providing funding that helps recipients to do 2 things:
Pursue further education within the professions of community development, community management or social work in a course that leads to a recognised, accredited qualification.
Pursue a professional short term work placement at a South Australian Community Centre and undertake  a “special project” identified by the Management Committee of that Centre as a priority

That is, the Foundation will assist with funding a placement within an accredited educational institution on a scholarship basis and will assist with funding a short term work placement within a South Australian Community Centre.

I want to particularly thank Kirsten King for her dedication, initiative and energy in bringing the concept to reality, thank you Kirsten.

I have a note here that if you want to contribute to the Mairi Spedding Community Development Foundation you should see me about making a contribution. I think I can also suggest that you should be able to get the same information from Allison – our Coordinator.

I’m sure that Mairi would thoroughly agree with this endeavor and that she would be very pleased to be honoured in this way.

So, without further ado, I declare Mairi’s Garden officially open and ask Councillor Di Wilkins to unveil the plaque commemorating the work and achievements of Mairi Spedding.
Please linger a little longer with us in Mairi’s Garden and enjoy what it has to offer – as well as more of the refreshment provided Burnside Council.
Thank you