Charity House blessed as project looks to the future
By Josh Low
The land at Herdsmans Cove on which Build Up Tassie’s Charity House will be built, was blessed by Archbishop Julian last month.
With the land donated by the Tasmanian Government, the Deputy Secretary of Community Services, Infrastructure and Housing, Peter White, joined Archbishop Julian in a symbolic gesture of lending a hand by shovelling gravel into a pipeline trench at the building site.
More than 35 local businesses and individuals have pledged labour and materials to support construction of the home, which will be built by St Joseph Affordable Homes.
The resulting four-bedroom home will be sold, with proceeds used to fund a pre-employment program with Build Up Tassie for young and vulnerable Tasmanians.
Speaking to those present on the day, Archbishop Julian offered his gratitude to all involved, reflecting on St Paul’s letter to the Corinthians and Jesus’ words in Matthew’s Gospel on the value of work and building strong foundations.
“In all we do, may we never lose sight of the one true foundation which has been laid down for us… that is, Jesus Christ,” he said.
“As we mark the blessing today, let us pray for our Lord’s help through this project.
“We pray that He will bring this construction to successful completion, that His protection will keep those who work on it safe from harm, and that His graces will flow to those who will dwell in this home in the future,” he concluded.
The construction of the home will also be used as a training site for current Build Up Tassie participants and St Joseph Affordable Homes apprentices.
Centacare Evolve Housing and St Joseph Affordable Homes CEO, Ben Wilson, said the Build Up Tassie initiative had been supported by the community and will help young, vulnerable Tasmanians looking to enter the construction industry.
“We’re very grateful to have had all our suppliers and contractors within St Joseph Affordable Homes support us in donation of time, materials and labour,” Mr Wilson said.
“Young people just need an opportunity and a work-ready program like this brings them together to get themselves ready for permanent work.”
