Theme of community-building
The official opening of Ross Walker Lodge on St Margaret ’ s property in Newton Street , Hackett on 3 August , marked the joyous culmination of several years work by many people from within the local and church communities , as well as both Federal and ACT government . ( Indeed , God even granted us an unseasonably warm winter ’ s day to bless the occasion !)
Close to 200 people packed the hall at St Margaret ’ s . Speeches on the history and goals of the project were given by John Goss , church council chair of St Margaret ’ s ( who singled out for thanks Keith Barker and Peter Biggs of the Building Committee ), and Canberra region Presbytery Chair , rev . Gordon Ramsay .
Other speakers were local MP , Dr . Andrew Leigh ( who suggested that , given their demeanour on the occasion , the collective noun for a group of MPs should be a “ smile ”); ACT Minister for Community Services , Mrs Joy Burch ; and Mrs Audrey Walker , widow of lodge patron Ross Walker , who gave what many felt to e the most heartfelt and endearing speech of the afternoon , detailing her late husband ’ s work with and concern for the disabled .
The overwhelming feeling from the speakers was that , given the proper goals , motivations and willingness for cooperation – along with the ambition to help the needy by allowing them to help themselves and others within a community setting – the obstacles facing the proper merging of resources between church , state and different levels of government can not only be faced , but overcome in ways of immense benefit to all .
After leaving the hall , and upon gathering at the lodge , Mrs Burch and Rev . Ramsay cut the ribbon to officiate the opening . ( A humorous note to the festivities was added by ne of the builders , heard to remark : “ I just wanted to be here to make sure that when the ribbon was cut , the building didn ’ t fall down !”)
Raising glasses in a toast , the crowd then followed into the house to inspect the quite remarkable feat of design and construction which is Ross Walker Lodge . With high ceilings and wide corridors , two large common rooms and spacious private quarters , the architecture of the lodge is ideal for fostering the desired combination of independence and shared living which had been the key concept to its founders ’ vision all through the planning stages .
St Margaret ’ s News 16 RWL Special