There may not be a white rabbit but Wonderland Retreat is guarded by a white and grey Siamese cat.
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A haven for young people with a disability, the retreat, at Mole Creek, was a former hotel but was transformed into its Alice in Wonderland-themed respite care centre last year by Rob and Toni Mehigan.
This year, a changing of the guard has occurred at the centre, with Sydneysiders Tim and Pearl Stuparich taking the helm as coordinators.
However, one mainstay is Sophie the therapy cat, who has been at Wonderland Retreat since its inception and is on hand to greet visitors and roams the house looking for a cuddle.
Mrs Stuparich said Wonderland Retreat offered a “home away from home” for young people with a disability and can cater for live-in respite as well as day programs.
She said she and her husband hoped to offer more day programs as well as overnight and weeknight stays.
“We have started offering day programs, to provide our clients with vocational skills and training,” she said.
Wonderland Retreat is not just a holiday for the clients, but it offers a respite for families and mentors for the young people, aged eight to 35.
A former hotel, Wonderland Retreat offers bunk-style rooms with adjoining carer rooms, as well as single bedrooms and full units, depending on the needs of the clients.
Ms Stuparich said rooms were allocated based on personality types, needs and gender needs, and all potential clients are encouraged to visit the property before booking in.
“We have found there is a constant need for this, but we hope to be able to offer more nights when we can,” Mr Stuparich said.
The retreat caters for all levels of disability except for mobility, as the site does not cater for wheelchair access at this stage.
Mrs Stuparich is a mental health worker by background and the pair moved to Tasmania after wanting to escape the bustle of city life.
The pair said the job for Wonderland Retreat came up and they approached the Mehigans to consider a job share situation.
Mr Stuparich manages the operational side of the retreat, while Mrs Stuparich offers the check-in and check-out service, along with the client liaison services.
There is also 12 staff with disability experience and six management staff and two caretakers.
Wonderland Retreat offers single and bunk-style rooms, along with cabins all equipped with adjoining rooms for carers. It was transformed from the old Mole Creek Lodge.
Wonderland Retreat offers single and bunk-style rooms, along with cabins all equipped with adjoining rooms for carers. It was transformed from the old Mole Creek Lodge.
Client Byron Kern, 16, of Somerset, has stayed at Wonderland Retreat for two nights and said the experience had been amazing.
He said he was enjoying meeting new people but also having some time out swimming and playing laser tag.
Shift leader Roop Singh, who moved from Western Australia to Tasmania to take up the position, said children who stayed at Wonderland Retreat changed personalities before his eyes.
“You see some people and they might be non-verbal or not want to communicate but by the time they leave they are communicating or have completely changed their daily routines,” he said.
He said one client came to the service not able to cook a meal for himself but learned how to care for himself during his stay.
“At the end of the time he was doing his own laundry, cooking his meals,” he said.
Wonderland Retreat isn’t just about offering a holiday, or home away from home, but it’s about supporting young people with a disability to gaining some independence.
Clients who stay at Wonderland Retreat are treated to lessons in daily routines such as cooking and cleaning, along with vocational skills such as coffee-making and basic woodwork and craft.
Wonderland Retreat shift leader or house parent Roop Singh with client Byron Kern in one of the main homestead's living areas.
Wonderland Retreat shift leader or house parent Roop Singh with client Byron Kern in one of the main homestead's living areas.
Mrs Stuparich said the centre offered these skills as part of the experience, to assist young people with a disability in gaining some freedom.
She said a lot of the young people responded well to the embedded lessons and learned well from the shift leaders or house parents.
“It offers another adult, not their family or their carer, to learn from,” she said.
While there is still strong demand, the Stuparichs said they would love to see the centre increase its client base, because it now can offer more beds and rooms thanks to additional cottages on the property.
- Wonderland Retreat will hold an open day at the centre, Pioneer Drive, Mole Creek, on February 20. Contact the retreat for more information on 63631399 or 0499 796661 or via Facebook.