Julian Leeser (Berowra, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Warrah Disability Services in my electorate, in Dural, is a fantastic not-for-profit service. They're dedicated to performing particular services for people with disability. They work to do so by providing opportunities for people where they may not previously have had the chance to participate fully as a member of our community.

Their work began back in the sixties, with Warrah operating as a special school by day and a group home by night, but times have changed. Nowadays, Warrah offers supported independent living for adults across 13 homes with 24/7 care, community support services and in-home support. Along with that, Warrah is the only Steiner specialist school operating in Australia, providing K to12 education with 31 students currently enrolled. Warrah also operates a biodynamic farm and operates an organic farm shop. More recently, Warrah has assisted with the creation of microenterprises, including candles made by Rohan, a regular participator at the Dural Men's Shed. Ben and Jim have also started mowing lawns with the assistance of the team at Warrah.

I recently visited Warrah and caught up with CEO Delia Gray, school principal Anna Wetzel, farm manager Steve Tennikoff and property manager David Sharkie. We talked about the work that Warrah is doing and their plans for the future. One of those plans involves getting the broader community involved by developing a farm animal management practice which would be open to the public while teaching participants about animal husbandry. I'm excited about Warrah's plans, and I'm working on a plan to support them as they grow and continue to support people in our community to lead an engaging and fulfilling life.