AEIOU News

AEIOU Foundation Sippy Downs Centre Official Opening

Wed, 31 Aug 11

MEDIA RELEASE

AUGUST 2011

AEIOU Foundation Sippy Downs Centre Official Opening 

AEIOU Foundation will be joined by The Hon.  Jenny Macklin MP and The Hon. Mark Ryan MP on Thursday 1 September 2011 to officially launch the Foundation’s new Sippy Downs Early Learning Childcare centre from 10am – 12noon.

With the equivalent of 66 full time students, including 22 children with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), the Centre is the first of its kind in Australia, combining best practice early intervention for children with autism in an inclusive environment with children that are developing typically, including babies from six weeks to children of five years.

AEIOU Founder and Chairman Dr James Morton said the state-of-the-art centre is the result of land provided by the University of the Sunshine Coast, $1.8 million in capital funding from the Federal Department of Families, Housing Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, and $450,000 a year from the Queensland Government.

“We are thrilled to be joined by both The Hon. Jenny Macklin here today and The Hon. Mark Ryan who is representing Minister for Disabilities, Curtis Pitt. This is an incredibly exciting development for AEIOU, and for our Queensland community.  It also demonstrates the State and Federal Government’s confidence in the quality of care and education AEIOU Foundation provides,” Dr Morton said.

AEIOU Foundation CEO Alan Smith said the centre, which opened in July, was equipped to deliver exceptional and affordable childcare for all children, who will benefit from a high staff ratio including qualified early learning teachers to help them get a head start before going to school.

“AEIOU Foundation specialises in providing best practice early intervention for children with autism, and we are in an excellent position to use this as a platform to provide high quality early learning for all children in a fun and caring environment,” Mr Smith said.

At the ceremony, Dr Morton and his wife Louise will receive a special plaque in honour of their son Andrew, who inspired the creation of AEIOU Foundation, and has gone on to touch the lives of hundreds of families as a result.

“The plaque features a mould of Andrew’s hands, which has been painted in bright colours by children at our centres.”

The centre has replaced AEIOU Foundation’s temporary service at Nambour.

Mr Smith said the centre is an excellent opportunity for children to learn from each other, with families also enjoying the opportunity to take the entire family to one childcare location, particularly those who have a child with an ASD, as well as children who are developing typically.

Ceremony details:

Time:                    10.00am until 11.45pm

Date:                     Thursday, 1 September 2011

Address:              Sippy Downs Early Learning Childcare Centre, University of the Sunshine Coast

Key attendees

Government Officiators

Hon Jenny Macklin MP

• Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs and Federal Member for Jagajaga

Hon Mark Ryan MP

• State Member for Morayfield

(Representing the Hon Curtis Pitt MP)

• Minister for Disability Services, Mental Health and Aboriginal and Minister and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships Torres Partnerships

AEIOU Foundation

AEIOU Foundation Founder and Chair Dr James Morton

AEIOU Foundation Co Founder and Lynn Wright Memorial Chair  Mrs Louise Morton

AEIOU Foundation CEO Mr Alan Smith

James and Louise Morton’s son Andrew Morton

University of the Sunshine Coast

Vice Chancellor and President Prof Greg Hill

Photo opportunity:

Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs Hon. Jenny Macklin MP and Hon. Mark Ryan MP with AEIOU Foundation Founder and Chair Dr James Morton AEIOU Foundation Co Founder Mrs Louise Morton AEIOU Foundation CEO Mr Alan Smith Vice Chancellor and President Prof Greg Hill unveiling the centre plaque.

-          ENDS

Media enquiries:

Laura Daley, Fundraising and Communications Coordinator, p: 3320 7555.