The Women’s and Children’s Hospital Foundation ‘Laklinyeri’ Beach House at Encounter Bay’s is unique to South Australia. It looks and feels like a luxury resort but serves as a holiday home for families with complex medical needs. At the eve of its first anniversary, we chat to Jane Scotcher, the WCH Foundation’s Chief Executive Officer.

Laklinyeri Beach House is turning one in mid-July. What has been the first year like?

A holiday home, like the Beach House, had been a dream in the making for close to 10 years, so it’s been incredibly special to welcome families to holiday at the extraordinary home. We have received overwhelmingly positive responses from all the families who have holidayed.

There’s nothing like the Beach House in South Australia. Would you please tell us about its point of difference?

The Beach House is South Australia’s first purpose-built holiday home for families whose children have complex medical needs or are in palliative care. The key feature making the Beach House very different to your everyday holiday home is it is equipped to meet the needs of these children. This includes lifting equipment in the disabled bathroom and multiple bedrooms, a sensory room, wheelchair friendly curved walls and wide hallways, a wheelchair accessible cubby house, and storage room stocked with medical consumables.

Where did the incentive come from to build the house at Encounter Bay?

We visited many locations in South Australia, but the large, vacant block at Encounter Bay with serene water views was truly the perfect fit. The added bonuses of the south coast are that it is a 90 minute drive from Adelaide CBD and the Beach House is close to the local hospital.

How has the south coast community supported the project?

Throughout the build of the Beach House, and now as we welcome families, the south coast community has been tremendous supporters. Our local program partner is South Coast Realty and we are very thankful to many south coast businesses for their generosity to help make family stays extra special.

What is some of the feedback you’ve received from guests?

The feedback we have received is overwhelmingly positive – everything and more than we hoped for. Families have loved the large communal areas allowing extended family to gather, the beautiful deck looking out to the lake, the wonderful garden and landscaping – especially the cubby house – so thoughtfully designed by the team at Coastal Landscapes and Fencing. Most importantly family holidays are made so easy at the Beach House and wonderful memories have been created.

What have families enjoyed about the Fleurieu?

They’ve loved experiencing the Fleurieu. Outings they’ve enjoyed include visiting Urimbirra Wildlife Park and Granite Island. Siblings have loved surf lessons down at Middleton Beach, while movie nights at Victa Cinemas are enjoyed by the whole family. Families have absolutely adored the photography sessions with local photographer Kate Elmes, with the pictures capturing special memories to be treasured for a lifetime.

The Knight family experienced special family time recently, with Sue saying:

The Beach House “has created a unique opportunity to make memories that sustain us on this journey and enable us to feel like a regular family – something I know families like ours don’t take for granted… From our family, a most sincere thank you to all who contributed to this magnificent home. Most of all thank you for helping us to give Verity, Henry and Jonas the best life we can.”

How can we support this inspiring project?

Family stays at the Beach House are entirely funded by generous donations to the Women’s and Children’s Hospital Foundation. To make a donation please visit our website [link below].

WCH Foundation former Chair Nicholas Begakis AO, His Excellency the Honourable Hieu Van Le AC Governor of South Australia and WCH Foundation CEO Jane Scotcher at the opening of the Laklinyeri Beach House in July 2019 [photograph courtesy of the WCHF].

MORE INFORMATION

·      WCH Foundation Laklinyeri Beach House

·      Sue Knight’s testimonial

FLEURIEU TIPS

·      Victa Cinemas

·      Urimbirra Wildlife Park

·      Granite Island

·      South Coast surfing

·      Other things to do – Fleurieu Peninsula tourism