Divine You Co calls on community to help finish Narrogin Luminous Academy education support centre by JulyHannah WhiteheadNarrogin ObserverThu, 5 March 2026 4:00PMEmail Hannah Whitehead
A Wheatbelt charity is calling for helping hands to finish its new community-led support centre providing critical support for regional children, students and the elderly by its July deadline.
Divine You Co in Narrogin aims to open the Luminous Academy education support centre in less than five months, which will support youth from ages five to 18, and includes all-age meditation programs and specialised places for dementia patients and the elderly.
The charity was bestowed the 30,000sqm Graham Road property in January 2025 by the owners, the Chan family.
Sister Sahaya said since then, charity volunteers have dedicated endless hours and resources to refurbishing the site into a functional centre.
The 12-room building boasts a 30m by 30m ultraviolet light proof hall, furnished classrooms, a multi-faith library, an outdoor playground and play shed and a bathroom equipped with three toilets and showers.
The centre is also set to offer sensory integrated spaces with soothing lighting, tactile panels and music tools, inclusive classrooms to support differential learning, outdoor sensory gardens for people with dementia, quiet reflection zones and specialist support hubs.
Divine You began running a weekend-long meditation retreat out of two of the rooms from June 28 last year.
The historical building was established as an education support centre in the early 1970s by Richard Chan and operated for nearly 30 years before closing, after its founder’s death.
Divine You volunteer Sister Mary said Luminous Academy is “ready to shine” but they need their community to “help us light the way”, pushing final renovations over the finish line.
The Luminous Academy has divided its “wish list” into four categories for people to see where their contributions can help the most; infrastructure and grounds, learning shed renovations, equipment for the tech hub, and volunteers once the centre is operational.
The infrastructure and grounds require epoxy sand outdoor paint, fencing poles and labour to help put up perimeter fencing, gutter repairs to connect rainwater tanks, and a welcome sign installed.
Renovations to the learning shed are still necessary, including industrial cooling works, an exterior paint job, and flooring.
Divine You also asks for quarterly sponsorships towards gas bottles and sponsorships for three outdoor washroom/toilet units.
It also seeks five desktops, a central printer and LCD/LED displays, interactive technology for modern education, site maps and display boards.
Once Luminous Academy is open, Divine You will request community members to step up as learning mentors, camp leaders and people to run games, especially for senior aged students.
Sister Mary said materials, labour or funding are welcome, and any contribution builds a future for Wheatbelt’s youth and families.
Get the latest news from thewest.com.au in your inbox.
Sign up for our emails
Read more on The West Australian
