The History Of Sunflower House 

Towards the end of 2002, the Schizophrenia Fellowship of NSW (SFNSW) established a presence in Wagga Wagga. The SFNSW is an organisation which supports and advocates for people with any mental illness (not just Schizophrenia) and their families. It’s involvement was a result of the many requests it had received from affected families in Wagga Wagga for support. 

After the distribution of a survey, a public forum was held 5th March 2003, and the auditorium filled to capacity. An overwhelming number of respondents and attendees indicated a desperate need for a ‘place’ to provide psychological rehabilitation for those with a mental illness. Despite a population of around 60,000 people and the incidence of one in five people living with a mental illness at some time in their lives, there was no rehabilitation program for this group in Wagga Wagga.

The community got behind the project of finding a venue and volunteers, those with mental illness and their carers all formed committees. Some fundraised, some formed support groups, staff spoke at Service Club meetings and the local media alerted their audiences to the goal. After a lot of hard work and lobbying of Government organisations, Number 4, The Esplanade was leased to the SFNSW. A management committee of local stakeholders was formed and authority was delegated from the SFNSW to this group, known as ‘The Mental Health Fellowship’, for self-governance and to establish its own bank account ensuring all raised funds remained local.

The name ‘Sunflower House’ was agreed upon by those who would be using the facility and the various committees. The house was in a dilapidated state as it had stood empty for a number of years except for the squatters who had broken windows and doors, and spread graffiti. The Rotary Clubs of Wagga donated the funds needed to renovate the house and the pre-building, and Horticulture students and teachers from TAFE carried out the renovations. This was apart of a voluntary/learning project, which meant labour was free. Local businesses, the National Australia Bank, Wagga Mutual Credit Union, a Wagga Lions Club, a variety of Social Groups, Wagga City Council, REX Airlines, and individuals, all contributed donations in the way of discounts, financial assistance and/or time. Without such an enormous amount of support from the community, Sunflower House could not have become a reality.

The NSW Governor, Professor Marie Bashir (herself a psychiatrist), visited Sunflower House in June 2005 saying “It will bring a situation of prevention, preventing relapse, minimising consumers becoming chronic…I’m very much wedded to the notion of being out there, and to the destigmatisation of mental health”. Professor Bashir’s visit was well covered by the media and greatly assisted the cause.

Then in October and November 2007, the dream did finally become a reality - government funding applications were successful, eventually provided and staff were employed. Then on Wednesday 21st of November 2007, Sunflower House was officially opened by Kay Hull and Daryl Maguire. It has continued to go from strength to strength and is now well-known in the community.

On November 29, 2019 Sunflower House Inc was launched following the transition to being locally managed and operated. The launch event was well attended, again showing strong community support for this valuable community service. Our Patron, Dr Joe McGirr, spoke of the vital role Sunflower House plays in the wider community health system.

Sunflower House:
A Timeline

14 February, 2020 - Opening hours extended to include Fridays.

29 November, 2019 - Sunflower House Inc. Launch Event.

2019 – Sunflower House Inc. established as a not-for-profit registered charity and takes on management of Sunflower House.

201?-2019 – Sunflower House goes through a period of management by One Door.

21 November, 2007 – Sunflower House, Wagga Wagga, officially opened by Kay Hull and Daryl Maguire.

June, 2005 – NSW Governor, Professor Marie Bashir, visited Sunflower House.

24 November, 2004 – Meeting held at the Country Golf Club at 7:30am to discuss the establishment of Sunflower House.

Present: Will Blackwell (President Wollundry RC), Bruce Duffy (President South WW RC), John Egan (Assistant Governor)(Chair), Peter Keith (President Kooringal RC), Fred Loneragan (President WW Sunrise RC), John Studdert (President Wagga Wagga RC), Peter Klimpsh and Chris Phelan (Head Teachers TAFE), Richard Newland (Project Manager), Christine Huntsdale (Community Development Officer Mental Health Fellowship), Ray King (Chairman Mental Health Fellowship).

5 March, 2003 – Public forum held at the RSL Club to raise awareness about mental health issues in the region.