Senator Eric Abetz

Senator Abetz was delighted to be asked to officiate at the launch of the long awaited book chronicling the history of the Old Chapel Tea Rooms at Glenorchy at a special luncheon held today in the Tasmanian Royal Botanical Gardens.

“Home to the wonderful people from Aurora, the Old Chapel Tea Rooms operate in the original Chapel built way back in 1830. The Old Chapel is older than Port Arthur and older than the City of Melbourne,” Senator Abetz said today at the launch of the Old Chapel Tea Rooms book.

“This book, which chronicles the rich history of the Old Chapel, from its construction in 1830 as the original O’Brien’s bridge Wesleyan Methodist Chapel, to its current designation as a wonderful training facility run by Aurora Disability Services, has come about through the dedication of Aurora founder Joy Cairns, OAM and Tasmanian author and researcher Len Dimmick.”

“The Old Chapel Tea Rooms provides Aurora’s clients with the opportunity to gain ‘hands on’ experience and training within the hospitality industry and opens doors that would otherwise remain closed to allow them, not only to work in the industry, but even start their own business.”

“The establishment Tea Rooms at the Old Chapel is the vision of Aurora founder Joy Cairns who, frustrated by the lack of support for people born with severe intellectual disabilities, founded Cosmos in 1980.”

“Cosmos was the first recreation service in Australia designed specifically to provide support to people with disabilities. Joy later established Aurora which today provides invaluable vocational training opportunities at the Old Chapel Tea Rooms with the focus being on ‘abilities’ rather than disabilities.”

“Joy Cairns has been a pioneer in disability support and she is to be applauded for her outstanding contribution to the community.”

“I am proud to launch this book today and hope all who read it are inspired by the stories contained in its pages,” Senator Abetz concluded.