Our Founder
Gail-Perry Somers
Gail Perry-Somers was a lady of many achievements. She trained as a racing car driver, worked as a director on the children’s television program Skippy, ran a stud farm in Rockhampton, helped establish the Eumundi markets with a her good friend Christa Barton a local ceramic artist, helped her father establish the Great Keppel Island resort, restored furniture, interior design and renovations and traded livestock.
Enhancing Community Lives
A Life of Purpose and Community Impact
After falling dangerously ill, Gail decided that what she really wanted to do, was to work with people in a community situation.
She moved into Kiah (Eumundi) with a tent and four small boys, set to work building a house.
At the beginning of 1979, Gail opened her home to help women and children in need, and established KIAH (a commune for pregnant women).
Towards the end of the 1970’s Gail had a vision of bridging the gap between new age and mainstream society. Gail envisioned a centre that was more accessible to the wider community while still retaining a non-threatening atmosphere; A more central base for people to meet who had a use or a need for this type of centre.
In 1980, the doors of the Meeting Place opened, at Howard Street. The aim of the centre was to provide an environment that fostered co-operation between different individuals and groups in not only the local but also the wider community. The aim of the Meeting place was to provide a venue for community groups to hold their meetings and publicise their activities, and to organise educational activities. The Meeting Place mission statement was:
“Empowering the Sunshine Coast community to enhance their quality of life.”
In 68 years, the mother of 4, who spent most of the last 30 years living on the Sunshine Coast, racked up a list of achievements others might only dream of. Gail passed away on the 17th of November, 2008.
