Endeavour Foundation opens new $1m home for disabled Mackay residents

Four friends were the stars of the show at a special gathering to mark the opening of a brand new specialist home in South Mackay. Watch the heartwarming moment the house officially became a home.

Lifelong friends Keith Perry, Robert MacKenzie and Frank Jensen will move into a custom-built $1m South Mackay home with their close mate John O’Sullivan.

The special needs gentlemen had smiles on their faces as they celebrated the occasion and Mr MacKenzie said he was ready to live there after years of waiting.

Disability support in Mackay has reached a new level of excellence with the opening of the brand new specialist home.

(From left to right) John O'Sullivan, Robert MacKenzie, Frank Jensen and Keith Perry will live together in South Mackay. Picture: Duncan Evans

“Thanks a lot,” Mr MacKenzie said to a crowd of dignitaries, including Dawson MP Andrew Willcox, Mackay MP Julieanne Gilbert and Mackay councillors Laurence Bonaventura and Michelle Green.

A purple ribbon hung over the entrance door and Mr Perry undid the ribbon to claps and cheers before stepping into the home.

Speaking later, Mr Perry said the home was “good” and added his favourite part was his bedroom.

The home in South Mackay is part of the Endeavour Foundation's $45m commitment to address a shortfall of accessible housing for people with disabilities across Queensland. Picture: Duncan Evans

“It (the bedroom) is really good,” he said.

Fergus Builders constructed the five-bedroom home, part of a larger $45m commitment from the Endeavour Foundation to deliver more accessible housing to people with disabilities across Queensland.

The house exceeds accessible housing standards, with assistive technology and built-in help alarms to ensure the men can live as independently as possible.

A large crowd gathered to celebrate the new home in South Mackay and Robert Mackenzie (right) and Frank Jensen (left) thanked those in attendance alongside house supervisor Danielle Gallagher. Picture: Duncan Evans

The home also has mobility accessible bathrooms, doorways and hallways and a dedicated room for a 24/7 support worker.

Every bedroom has a private patio and space to spend time with family and friends.

One of the bedrooms built by Fergus Builders for the Endeavour Foundation.

Fergus Builders project manager Byron McMahon said his team worked on the new build for 30 weeks and the construction included a kitchen with adjustable benchtops.

“It is great to see the guys who are going to move in get to enjoy it today and put their little personal touches and hopefully enjoy it for many years to come,” he said.

Dawson MP Andrew Willcox got to work to help Robert MacKenzie plant a mandarin tree in the backyard. Picture: Duncan Evans

The Endeavour Foundation’s My Home, My Life initiative plans to deliver 70 new homes and renovate a further 26 for disabled Queenslanders.

In Mackay, another $1.5m will be invested to build two new homes in Beaconsfield, set to come online in the coming months.

Speaking on the day, Endeavour Foundation spokesman Leanne Rutherford said the gentlemen were “very ready to make it their new home”.

(From left to right) Keith Perry, John O'Sullivan, Robert MacKenzie and Frank Jensen sit together on a bench made for the memory of their friend Bill "The Legend" Pascoe. Picture: Duncan Evans

She emphasised there was a dire need for more specialist accommodation, with more than 1700 people in need of housing.

The home also includes a sizeable backyard and the four new occupants showed off a special wooden sitting bench built in memory of their friend Bill “The Legend” Pascoe.

Mr MacKenzie also planted a mandarin tree with the assistance of Mr Willcox, who returned briefly to his farming roots to help dig out a hole for the new planting.