Kyeema Support Services, Portland.

The following was written by Mrs F Porter, one of the prime movers in the establishment of Kyeema Support Services Inc.

“For six years, the Portland Red Cross ladies transported children from Portland and the surrounding district to Hamilton, to attend the Mulleraterong Day Training Centre. This was done by private car, until the numbers requiring schooling grew and a bus was purchased to travel twice weekly to Hamilton. In 1966, it was decided to try and start a Centre in Portland as these handicapped children needed much more than two days training per week and the long trip to Hamilton was very tiring for them”.

This was the beginning of providing support for people with disabilities in Portland. On August 19th 1966 a Public meeting was held in the Portland Town Hall with Cr Mibus as Mayor of the town of Portland chairing. From this meeting, a Provisional Committee of ten (10) people was established. At the first meeting of this Committee, it was resolved that a competition “… to find a name for the Centre” was held amongst the local schools. From over two hundred (200) entries the name “Kyeema”, an aboriginal word meaning “dawn” was selected.

The Kyeema Centre opened in June 1967 in the Portland Guide Hall. These temporary premises were used until funds could be raised to build on the land the Portland Town Council gave for this project.

On 23 November 1969 the new building was built on land donated by the Portland Town Council at the corner of Lalor Street and Bridgewater Road and was officially opened by the Hon. Malcolm Fraser. This facility provided services to children and adults with intellectual disabilities.

From its commencement, Kyeema has gone through considerable changes and in the mid to late ‘80’s; a significant change to include children in the education sector was mooted by the Ministry of Education. This culminated in the children with disabilities, then attending Kyeema, moving to the mainstream schools. In early 1990’s the children were relocated to the Bundarra Primary School campus.

Programs across four specific sectors, namely: Community Based, Respite, Day Programs and Supported Employment programs are now offered to adults with disabilities registered with Kyeema. Respite is also offered to children via the Children’s Breakaway Days, Teenage Recreation and Respite and overnight respite.

Kyeema Support Services Inc, presently employs approximately seventy staff (this includes full time, part time and casual staff) who supports around ninety clients.