Fairbridge apprentice Brent Appleton cuts the ribbon watched by Colin Holt MLA who officially opened the cottage.
Camera IconFairbridge apprentice Brent Appleton cuts the ribbon watched by Colin Holt MLA who officially opened the cottage. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Pinjarra: Evelyn Cottage gets renovations

Jill BurgessMandurah Coastal Times

A NEWLY renovated cottage in Pinjarra will provide eight Aboriginal apprentices with supported accommodation as they move towards independent living.

The upgrade was made possible by a $500,000 investment from the Affordable Housing for Key Workers Program, through the State Government’s Royalties for Regions program.

Heritage-listed Evelyn Cottage has been given a new lease of life thanks to close co-operation between the Housing Authority and Fairbridge Village.

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The original features have been retained including timber weatherboard walls, brick chimneys, timber casement windows and interior fittings creating a cosy eight-bedroom cottage with spacious lounge, dining room and kitchen.

Evelyn Cottage joins Saumarez Cottage, opened by the State Government in August 2014, to provide a combined 16 supported accommodation units, allowing for services such as cooking and budgeting workshops for young people in housing stress.

Regional Development Minister Terry Redman said providing affordable housing options such as Evelyn Cottage enabled apprentices living in the regions to stay in their home community.

He said providing supported accommodation would help ensure community members remained in Pinjarra to live, train and work.

Fact File

The chance to undertake construction on the building helped three apprentices complete their studies as part of the Aboriginal Construction Training Initiative

Evelyn Cottage will complement existing supported accommodation for participants in Fairbridge’s training programs, including the award-winning Binjareb Aboriginal employment scheme

The cottages are classified by the National Trust and listed on the Register of the National Estate and the WA Heritage Council’s Register of Heritage Places