After two years of planning and negotiations, and with generous support from the NSW Government, Eurobodalla Shire Council and the local community, Muddy Puddles has finally been able to start work on building a new therapy centre for children with a disability. A ceremony to mark the start of construction is being held on Friday 18th August, and will be attended by the Hon. Andrew Constance, Member for Bega and the Hon. Ray Williams, NSW Minister for Disability Services.
“We’re so excited about the opportunities this new centre will provide for the community to work together and support children with a disability or developmental delay and their families. The generosity of everyone involved is very much appreciated” says CEO Cate McMath.
Muddy Puddles provides occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, psychology, behaviour therapy, music therapy, and development programs for children of all ages. They first opened their doors in early 2015, and have quickly outgrown their current premises in Batemans Bay with over 160 families on their books and growing demand now that the National Disability Insurance Scheme is starting to roll out on the South Coast. The new centre will be located on Melaleuca Crescent in Catalina, and will allow Muddy Puddles to provide even more services to children and their families and carers.
Stage 1 of the new centre is expected to be ready in early 2019. It will be fully accessible, and will include dedicated therapy and consulting rooms, larger program rooms, a ‘hang out’ area for families, administration rooms, a purpose-built kitchen and an outdoor play area. We also hope to include a sensory gym and garden.
Stage 2, which has yet to be scheduled, will see the addition of more therapy and consulting rooms.
For more information about services provided by Muddy Puddles, please contact Cate McMath on 02 4472 6939, or visit Facebook or www.muddypuddles.org.au.
