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 Live Free Tassie: Freedom Ride and more...
By Jenny Baxter Live Free Tassie is a Tasmanian residential recovery program for men aged 16-25 who want a second chance at life. Clients are typically drug and alcohol addicts who want to escape from the cycle of addiction and crime. In early 2008 after many years of planning, Live Free Tassie was launched at ‘Kingsholme’ in Ellendale in the beautiful Derwent Valley. Kingsholme was leased for 99 years for the princely sum of $1/year. The magnificent property includes accommodation for six clients and staff, and a large historic Oast House with wood and mechanical workshops, gymnasium and storage space.
Since then, Live Free Tassie has proved to be very successful. The organisation is predominantly self-funded, and critical fundraising efforts have happily been very positive. As a result, the accommodation buildings are currently undergoing significant renovation to increase to an 18-bed facility.
The annual Freedom Ride fundraiser is well-supported state-wide and every year bike riders tackle the 100km journey in both the north and south. A record number of bike riders participated in the March 2010 Freedom Ride with 106 riding from Port Arthur to Hobart, and 20 from Burnie to Launceston. Another Life Changed A devastating blow was delivered on February 5 this year when the Oast House at Kingsholme caught fire and was destroyed. The cleanup procedure was complicated by the presence of asbestos, but was being managed and going well.
Then on February 25, the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) and the police, tipped off by a concerned local, arrived without warning and evicted all clients and staff from the premises. They have subsequently been re-located to Queensland, where training continues as usual, hopefully to return by the end of April. In the meantime Bob and Naomi have set up a temporary office to manage the cleanup operation and gather community support for the required funds.
They were initially heartbroken. “I couldn’t see the light at the end of the tunnel to begin with,” Bob admits. He has learnt to keep it in perspective though – as he said, “I know that [there is] a way through this.”
Insurance of the property is the responsibility of Live Free Tassie, however unfortunately, the insurance did not adequately cover a disaster of this scale. The cleanup demanded by the EPA is extensive and, because of the presence of asbestos, involves removal of the top six inches of soil within a 70m radius of the building.
The expected shortfall for a cleanup of this scale is $200,000. Currently, Bob is applying to the Tasmanian State Government for an interest free loan to cover some of the cost. It is a big task, but Bob remains hopeful. “We know we will get through – it will take a miracle, but we know Someone who does those.”
To help Live Free Tassie move forward again you can donate to Bendigo Bank’s Live Free Tassie Fire Appeal. Simply ask at your local Bendigo Bank or click here |
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