The property located at 40-42 Charles Street was built in 1989 under the Department of Housing’s Accommodation Assistance Scheme and originally served as a respite care facility run by the Endeavour Foundation. 

After being vacant for a few years following the pandemic, and with a lot of persistence, I purchased the property believing it would make an ideal site for the small non-state school, Darlingia Forest School, including a much needed OSHC - Outside School Hours Care. The property already had the disability access required by the building code in place and it is conveniently situated next door to Warrina Lakes Botanical Gardens, pump track and nature playground. 

Unfortunately, despite the local council's approval of the development application for the site to become an educational establishment, and despite Darlingia’s growing school enrolment and student/staff/parent satisfaction, the school’s relocation application was refused and Darlingia was shut down by an unsupportive Non-State Schools authority.

The property at 40-42 Charles Street is now Warrina Lakes Learning Hub and is open to artists and the wider community for creating and educating. 

Deborah Schiel Zaini