Autism early intervention service AEIOU unveils new Idalia centre after former Kirwan location destroyed by arson

After the AEIOU centre in Kirwan was destroyed by an arsonist, Townsville mother Shae Holt was devastated. Now, a new multi-million dollar centre in Idalia has restored hope, ensuring vital support for children with autism continues.

Shae Holt with one her daughters and students of aeiou, Marley-Grace, 4. Picture: Shae Beplate.

After the AEIOU centre in Kirwan burnt down in March at the hands of an arsonist, Townsville mum Shae Holt said her ‘heart sank’.

Mother of two autistic children, Marley-Grace aged 4 and Tiare-Ahorangi aged 5, she said the centre was her children's ‘second safe space’ after their home and were devastated to see the centre destroyed.

“We got the call at 9:30am that morning and I was trying to process it. I was like lets get in the car and lets go have a look. As soon as I came around the corner, the whole centre was just black,” she said.

“My daughter’s tears started straight away. It sunk in that everything was gone.”

Six months on, the autism early intervention service is celebrating the opening of their new multi-million dollar centre in Idalia.

Officially opened on Thursday morning, the new purpose-built AEIOU facility will allow for an increase in enrolment capacity to provide autism-specific services and therapy for Townsville children and their families.

aeiou CEO Alan Smith, team members Emma Newham and Schahana Clark, and founder James Morton at the official opening of the new Idalia centre. Picture: Shae Beplate.

Following the arson services were able to continue with Townsville childcare centre Billy Lids Kindergarten providing rooms for AEIOU’s staff and children.

Ms Holt said the generosity from Billy Lids Kindy was great for her children to have some slight routine back.

“They don’t go to mainstream (schools) because they get kicked out of mainstream or people just don’t understand them.”

“The kids were really feeling it, not seeing their people, the people that work here are like family to us. Billy Lids opened their doors to us, which was amazing.”

Ms Holt said she and her family were blown away by the new centre in Idalia, highlighting that getting back into a routine of coming to a safe space means everything for children with autism.

“As soon as we walked in, we were like Oh my god, look at all the new stuff,” she said.

aeiou team member Emma Newham at the official opening of the new Idalia centre. Picture: Shae Beplate.

“We’ve never had anything like this. The kids are excited to come. The anxiety is still there, but it’s a lot better than what we were at.”

“Getting them back into routine and getting back on their therapy … I feel like we’re all a lot more closer now and the kids are more closer together now.”

AEIOU chief executive Alan Smith said the support from the community highlighted the necessity for autism support services in North Queensland, with $245,000 raised from an emergency appeal to replace resources such as visual aids following the arson attack.

Shae Holt with one her daughters and students of aeiou, Marley-Grace, 4. Picture: Shae Beplate.

Mr Smith said the opening of the new centre was a collaborative effort, thanking the AEIOU team, families and government, community and business partners for their ‘shared vision’.

Designed by Buchan Group and constructed by Hutchinson Builders, funding for the $5.6 million project, including $1 million from the Queensland Government’s Resources Community Infrastructure Fund grant program and $2 million from the Australian Government, was already secured when the previous centre in Kirwan was destroyed.

Originally published as Autism early intervention service AEIOU unveils new Idalia centre after former Kirwan location destroyed by arson