Major upgrades to the Sunshine Butterflies disability support facility will be supported by a $135,000 funding injection from the Federal Government, paving the way for more locals to use the service.
Sunshine Butterflies has grown from a volunteer-run organisation with a handful of members to become one of the region’s largest employers and support hundreds of people living with disability.
Sunshine Butterflies’ home, ‘Our Backyard’ at Cooroibah, will be expanded and improved with the addition of a new café, an accessible playground and a stage roof over the existing accessible stage area.
Wide Bay MP Llew O’Brien described Sunshine Butterflies as a magical place that brought people and their families together in a supportive, caring and encouraging environment.
“Our Backyard contains many vibrant, creative and engaging spaces where people can come and learn new skills, make new friends, and enjoy new experiences, and this project will provide new opportunities for everyone to participate in,” he said.
Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce said the Government’s investment would ensure this vital service continues to help locals.
“We are funding the services and facilities that regional communities need for the future, so that they can grow and get ahead, and so locals can have the best possible life,” he said.
Sunshine Butterflies founder and CEO Leanne Walsh said the funding would deliver the upgrades needed for Sunshine Butterflies to continue to build a better future for people with disabilities and empower their families.
Sunshine Butterflies was established in 2010 and has grown to provide a broad range of daily recreational, educational and life skills programs for individuals of all ages and abilities.
The facility offers a unique range of programs, activities and services which are changing the lives of many individuals living with disabilities and their families.
