By Madeleine Collins
In an unprecedented move, the Standing Committee of the Sydney Diocese has called on Anglicare, the NSW and Federal governments and its own members to review the decision to close Anglicare’s Kingsdene Special School and Residences.
In November Anglicare announced the school will close in fourth term this year. The charity cited severe financial constraints and the government’s preference for home-based care left it with no choice but to cease operations.
Petitions from parents of children at the school led to the resolution at the Standing Committee’s February meeting.
The closure follows a drastic fall in Anglicare’s operating income. The charity spends $1million each year to run the school. Most of the 25 students suffer from autism and have no verbal communication.
Diocesan Secretary Mark Payne said members of the Standing Committee were ‘greatly moved’ by parental correspondence urging Anglicare to reconsider the closure. “We too recognise the valuable ministry and are concerned about the proposal to close the centre,” Mr Payne said. But he admitted it was unlikely any substantial funding from the Standing Committee’s own resources could be provided.
Warwick Olson, a member of the Standing Committee, said Anglicare is an organisation “that must as part of its charter as our Diocesan caring agency help those who are in need and vulnerable.”
It is a sentiment that is continuing to be echoed by parents. Mary-Lou Carter, a mother of one of the students, said the closure goes against Anglicare’s “reason for being”.
But Anglicare’s Chief Operating Officer Peter Gardiner said one of the concerns about the resolution is that there is “pressure being applied that Anglicare should prioritise Kingsdene at the expense of other programs”, adding that there is a “very clear historic precedent that no money will be forthcoming from Standing Committee”.
He said other welfare programs would have to be sacrificed to keep the school open.
Anglicare will provide a report reviewing the closure to the Standing Committee in May.
