When a House Becomes a Home
NRL Cowboys House has officially opened in Townsville with the purpose built facility becoming home to boys from many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families across Far North Queensland.
The complex provides onsite living, learning and recreation facilities, recently built by Paynter Dixon Queensland (PDQ). The initiative was supported by a $9.5 million investment from the Australian Government in collaboration with the Queensland Government and will help young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders to complete their secondary education and access school-aged apprenticeships.
After entertaining speeches from three of the new residents, the Federal Minister for Indigenous Affairs, Nigel Scullion took the stage and reflected on the importance of the NRL Cowboys House in giving students from remote communities an opportunity to fulfil their potential, providing them with a chance to study, undertake training and find a job.
“This is only the beginning and the hard work starts now. Governments can build the bricks and mortar but it is the people involved who will ultimately lead to successful outcomes,” Minister Scullion said.
North Queensland Toyota Cowboys CEO Greg Tonner, pictured here with PDQ North Qld Manager, Michael Koen & Design & Development Manager Kellie Brinckman said that the House aligns with the football club’s strong track record in understanding and supporting the North Queensland community.
“Through our Cowboys Community Foundation, we want to provide our communities the greatest chance for success, and together we have created an opportunity for the next generation to achieve,” Mr Tonner said.
The project was completed well ahead of schedule and the quality of the results have exceeded expectations in a number of areas. As a result of its successful collaborations throughout the project, PDQ was able to make critical adjustments to the design to improve its fit for purpose credentials without increasing the cost. Key members of the Cowboys operational team have confirmed that critical daily Education routines just would not have worked without the functional improvements initiated by the PDQ team.
Paynter Dixon Queensland is eager to continue the successful relationships built with operators –the Cowboys Foundation, the project manager, Building and Asset Services and the client representatives at the Department of Housing and Public Works. PDQ will work closely with the Cowboys Foundation, becoming a ‘Founding Partner’, to establish career pathways for those wishing to enter the Construction Industry.
