General News
18 January, 2025
Residence now back in Woodbine's hands
Woodbine has welcomed 1 Warunda Avenue, Warracknabeal, into its community after its long-awaited return to the organisation, four women now able to call the property their home.
From 1982 E.W. Tipping owned the property where Woodbine ran its family group home.
However, president Ian Penny announced last September that Woodbine officially owned the property.
"It's 48 years significant," Mr Penny said.
CEO Jason Minter said many people didn't know Woodbine wasn't always the official owner.
"People get confused because they always thought it was owned by Woodbine," CEO Jason Minter said.
"It's come full circle and now Warunda Avenue will be a part of the Woodbine family forever."
After an official ceremony late last year, new residents Tash, Lisa, Suzie and Jennifer moved into the residence, named 'Hocking House'.
Peter and Glenda Hocking have had a long association with Woodbine as their daughter, Natasha, was supported by the organisation.
"We're excited that this house is back in Woodbine," Mr Hocking said.
"Woodbine has grown, rewarded and enriched people's lives.
"We look forward to being in the community."
Yarriambiack Shire Council mayor Kylie Zanker also shared a few words and said she couldn't speak more highly of the work the not-for-profit organisation did for participants.
"It's rewarding to write letters of recommendations for the organisation," Cr Zanker said.
"Its purposeful participants are part of our community."
Cr Zanker also thanked the residents for hosting the ceremony and allowing visitors go to their home.
Council's deputy mayor Andrew McLean attended alongside the organisation's life members, board members and ladies' auxiliary representative Carol Wilson, who presented Mr Minter with a donation from the Op Shop.
A barbecue lunch was made available to all who attended to commemorate the handover.
