Grand opening: New education hub, car wash making huge impact

The new hub is designed to give people living with disabilities equal opportunities in the education or occupation pathway they ultimately choose to follow. Details here.

Equality is something Julie McCracken has always fought hard for and the Community Access Care managing director is now opening an educational hub and car wash in Toowoomba to offer equal opportunities to those living with different abilities.

The business owner’s love for helping others and making a difference stemmed at a young age, when she took a trip to the dump with her family and came across a litter of stray kittens.

Community Access Care managing director Julie McCracken outside the new education hub and car wash. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Her mum was horrified to find her young daughter sitting in the back seat of the car with a group of kittens, with Julie’s intention being to give them a loving home.

As a teenager, Julie’s compassion for others continued when her dad was diagnosed with Dementia.

At the time, the only respite available to people with complex health conditions in Australia, was nursing and aged care facilities.

Julie’s father eventually developed pneumonia and sadly died of congestive heart failure.

This devastating event only ignited Julie’s desire to make a difference for others further and after years of caring for people living with disabilities, mental health and complex health conditions, she started her own disability support business Community Access Care in Bundaberg, in 2018.

Community Access Care support worker Kaitlyn Geale and Toowoomba team leader Adam Thompson prepare for the grand opening of the new educational hub and participant-run car wash, led by managing director Julie McCracken. Picture: Kevin Farmer

The family-orientated and operated business expanded to Toowoomba last year and Julie is now set to open its educational hub and car wash alongside team leader Adam Thompson.

“I’m incredibly passionate about creating jobs and offering skills and training to everyone,” Mrs McCracken said.

“Just because you live with a disability, it doesn’t mean you can’t live your life to its full capacity and achieve goals like anyone else.”

Community Access Care support worker Kaitlyn Geale and Toowoomba team leader Adam Thompson prepare for the grand opening of the new educational hub and participant-run car wash, led by managing director Julie McCracken. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Over the years, the managing director said she had seen some workplaces unable to cater for people living with disabilities – something she said the educational hub would change.

“The hub has a fully-equipped kitchen for participants to learn how to cook and we will release a monthly calendar of activities which will include options like sewing, craft, computer skills and resume building,” Mrs McCracken said.

“Through these initiatives, participants will gain experience, social skills, training and friendships, to assist them in the education or occupation pathway they ultimately choose to follow.

“Our car wash will also be completely participant-run and that’s just the first stage, so watch this space.”

Julie McCracken and Adam Thompson outside the new Community Access Care hub on Ruthven St. Picture: Kevin Farmer

The Community Access Care educational hub and car wash is at 260 Ruthven St, Toowoomba.

To celebrate, the business will hold its grand opening at the hub on Saturday, May 7, from 9am to midday.

The whole community is welcome to attend the free event which will include an animal petting zoo, face painting, craft stand, sausage sizzle and the car wash.

For more information, visit communityaccesscare.com.au.