Those who were part of an enthusiastic crowd at the opening of the new Glenray Lifestyle and Learning centre in Browning Street were asked on a number of occasions to reflect on how far the organisation had come since it was established more than 60 years ago.

“It’s a business model today,” Member for Bathurst Paul Toole said. “It’s self-sustaining.”

To emphasise the point, the crowd had earlier been told that Glenray had finalised a contract to be a warehouse and distribution centre for the clothing chain Lowes.

Glenray general manager of support services Greg Oastler said the area now housing the Lifestyle and Learning centre had previously been used for the organisation’s industrial services.

The industrial services was moved to the back part of the building and Integrated Design Group and Tablelands Builders transformed the front into a hub to be used for Glenray clients, where they can paint, do craft, enjoy music therapy, grow vegetables and learn life skills.

Every client, when they come to Glenray, sets their goals and then works towards achieving those goals with Glenray staff, Mr Oastler said.

“It’s a person-centred approach,” he said. “It gives them the choice and control.”

The opening of the centre came during an open day on Friday at Glenray, where visitors had the chance to meet Glenray staff, take a bus tour and see the variety of Glenray sites in Bathurst and attend an information session on the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

The day was also used to mark the St Michael’s site at Trinity Heights being renamed Glenray Village and the new Glenray website going live.

Member for Calare Andrew Gee said the open day had shown him “how far we have come in the treatment of people with disabilities - or should we say abilities”.

Glenray is a not-for-profit organisation that offers residential, respite, vocational, community support and day activities for people with disabilities.

The Lifestyle and Learning centre opened last October, but Friday was its official opening.