History of Greystanes

Greystanes was established in 1954 when Elizabeth McDonald opened the original “Greystanes Children’s Home” in Leura at the corner of Grose and Megalong Streets (where Bygone Beautys now stands). At that time, the grey stone house was called “Greystanes”.

The original Greystanes Children’s Home was a residential facility for profoundly disabled children. In 1974, the parents of the children came together to purchase land at what was Lambert’s timber yard at 8-10 Grose Street. The parents and Board custom-designed a facility for their children, many of whom were entering adolescence and young adulthood. They raised 20% of the funding, with the Federal Government providing the remaining 80%. Development plans for the Home were originally for 8-10 Grose Street. After a series of public discussions and legal decisions, the current building at 2 Grose Street was built as a residential care facility in 1984.

From 1997 to this year, the organisation was named “Disability Enterprises Leura”.

In 2000, the process of “devolution” - moving clients from institutional care to community living - began. The primary Government funding body for the organisation, the NSW Department of Family and Community Services, Ageing, Disability and Home Care (ADHC), directed that the home be devolved from a residential facility to community living in accordance with changes in philosophy and legislation relating to the care of people with disabilities.  

The process of devolution has been recorded on a DVD and in a resource kit created by Greystanes Disability Services called “A Place to Call Home – Talking About Devolution”. This DVD was launched in May 2010 and has had a great impact on the sector. It is used by the Shut In Campaign to encourage the closure of institutions and to demonstrate the value of community living and genuine community participation for people with disabilities.

In recognition of its proud history, the organisation returned to its original name and is now known as Greystanes Disability Services.

Greystanes is respected for its well-planned and consultative devolution process and the high standard of support it provides to people with multiple disabilities, including those with complex health support needs in the Greystanes Community Living program. The organisation’s other programs and activities – Leura Day Options, Megalong Positioning Service and its growing range of training resources – are highly regarded and all dedicated to providing support to people with disabilities so that they may enjoy fulfilling lives in the community.

Her Excellency Professor Marie Bashir AC CVO Governor of New South Wales is the Patron of Greystanes.