From ranch to renewal: Stawell’s new centre transforming a community
- 1 day ago
- 5 min read
BY LERISSE SMITH
A dynamic fusion of connection, creativity and calm is bringing transformative change to a close-knit community thanks to the Salvos’ innovative Stawell Holistic Centre.
Housed in a transformed homestyle ranch building, the retreat space prioritises mental, physical and spiritual health for its local Stawell township community.
And local residents have embraced it with open arms.
“I see the property as a place to grow, experience, indulge and learn,” reflects Major Jacky Targett, Corps Officer of Greater Grampians Salvos.
“We believe this makes Cooper Street the place to heal the body, mind and spirit through the whole site.”
The town buzzed with excitement during the centre’s official opening in February, packed with business tours, community fun, and a spiritual ceremony that left locals eager for what’s next.
The opening wasn’t just a single event – it became a three-day celebration.
Friday kicked off with businesses exploring collaborations and discovering the centre’s spacious rooms, as Councillor Jenny Greenberger offered a warm greeting that signalled opportunity for local commercial prospects.
Saturday became a community affair, a fun day, a chance for the community to come and see what is offered to the individual or groups – from babies to seniors – with Victorian Divisional Commander Major Mal Davies officially cutting the ribbon, declaring the building open and operational.
The Spiritual Opening was held on Sunday, a day of praise and contribution. Major Karen Castley, Area Officer of South West Victoria, captivated the crowd with a message about community, drawing on the Biblical story of Adam and Eve hiding in the bushes while God wanted to call them out.
“The Holistic Centre is the place,” says Jacky.
“We want God to ‘call them’ (the community members) out of hiding and experience his presence! It is not about the building; it is about the whole property. For us, we wanted a space that was homely, not clinical, welcoming, not isolating, functional, not unrealistic. According to the people present (at the opening), we hit that target!”
Versatility drives the centre.
Beyond spiritual services – home church gatherings and Aussie Praying Grandparents – it offers hands-on activities for everyone, from rolling up their sleeves to make preserves from on-site fruit, joining disability-friendly gardening, and allowing the community to use the space for their own purposes.
Art classes are among the many attractions at the new centre, which provides a space for local community members to heal the body, mind, and spirit. A greenhouse and barbecue area are two of the many outdoor features of the new centre.
The vision for the centre started three and a half years ago with Majors Lynne and Greg Turnbull, who now oversee Campaspe Shire Salvos.
With no stationed officer in Stawell, the couple foresaw the sale of the old church and quarters to fund the new property. After three years of waiting, renovations to the site finally took place, adding disability toilets, ramps, and upgrades to make the space accessible to all.
A major driver of the pioneering project was Ministry Assistant Sandra Pickens, who worked tirelessly to turn the dream into reality.
“It was a really big dream for her to get this place up and going,” Jacky explains. “She had lots of ideas about what she wanted to do here.”
Today, the centre buzzes with activity and is open to the local community throughout the week. The centre adapts easily to any group or event, providing flexibility to the small township.
“We can be here with whatever groups or whatever events that need to happen in the community,” Jacky says.
“People have shown a huge amount of interest in the place. So, it actually doesn’t just function as a church. In fact, that’s probably the low end of the expectations of the place. We’re looking more at that holistic aspect – it’s about mental, physical and spiritual health, such as asking ‘Have you eaten today?’ So, we will be providing what we can to the local community; we’ve just got to get things in place.”
The centre’s team includes Jacky, her ministry assistant husband, Lynton Targett, her administration assistant, Teresa Fratin, and a multitude of volunteers and garden helpers. On Fridays, an art group meets in the space.
Inclusivity and creativity shape the centre’s philosophy – and to think outside the box.
“Stawell is a fascinating place,” Jacky reflects. “It’s only a small community … We’ve actually had two other churches show interest in our Holistic Centre – one of them wants to use this building as a retreat space because it’s a big place inside, plus large grounds and gardens outside.”
Hiring the Holistic Centre building as a spiritual retreat venue will meet a critical need in the community, as no other facility in town can accommodate such an event. Its indoor and outdoor spaces and gardens are part of its appeal.
“They (the church) can come here as a spiritual retreat place. It’s absolutely gorgeous,” says Jacky.
“There are all these places you can sit and stay outside and stay inside. We’ve got garden seats … so, they actually want to just do a spiritual retreat for their church here. And we were like, yes! That’s something different.”
On the centre’s future agenda is the use of the centre for day activities for people with disabilities or the elderly, or other interested groups. Ideas include engaging in hands-on tasks such as jam and lemon butter or whatever’s available. Plans also include housing chickens, giving locals the chance to feed and tend them.
Ultimately, the centre champions the mental, physical and spiritual health of its beloved community.
“All of those things work together to bring peace, calmness,” says Jacky.
“It’s also about a sense of adventure. We want a place where people can come and discover. So many people have just popped in to see what the building is and then remark, Oh my gosh, it’s so big! And then they think of how they can utilise it. So, we are excited about the future ahead – and just running with it.”
